The paramount ruler of Ibadan, Oyo State, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, has mourned the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, describing the monarch’s death as the end of a remarkable and glorious era.
In a statement personally signed by the Olubadan, he expressed shock at the news of the death of the Oyo monarch.
Oba Balogun recalled that the last time the two met was at his ‘Balogun’s’ coronation/installation in March, in Ibadan.
Olubadan described the late Alaafin as a royal father par excellence, who projected Yoruba culture and civilization with awe and dignity, noting that with his exit, ’’Yoruba has lost a rare gem.’’
The statement reads: “A highly scholarly, pragmatic and dynamic monarch with undiluted love for his race and people, Alaafin would be sorely missed by humanity for his contributions which would continue to speak for him eternally.
“Together with the late Alaafin, we have been friends for a very long time. So, his death is a personal loss to me and very painful too that he won’t be around now that I have become Olubadan to share from his rich experience.
“Death is an inevitable end of mankind and it will come at Allah’s appointed time for every individual. We take solace in the good works the Almighty Allah used the late Alaafin to do for humanity and the good name being left behind.
“I commiserate with the government and people of Oyo State, the Oyoland and the immediate and extended families of our highly reverred Alaafin with supplication to the Almighty Allah to accept him to His kingdom and grant all the fortitude to bear the loss,” the Olubadan added.
Olusola Akintonde
