Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has, on Sunday, paid a condolence visit to the palace of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.
Makinde was received by the Bashorun of Oyo who doubles as the Chairman of the Council of Chiefs, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola and the eldest son of the late monarch, Prince Babatunde Adeyemi.
During the visit, the governor vowed that the state would not spare anything to give the late Alaafin of Oyo a befitting burial, while appealing to the Oyo Mesi, the Council of Chiefs and all those that would be involved in the selection of another Alaafin not to delay in the process so that some of the wishes of the late Alaafin, which he was privy to could be fulfilled.
Apparently reacting to social media rumor, in a comical manner, Makinde said he was not responsible for the deaths of foremost monarchs in the state.
The departure of Oba Adeyemi brings to three, the number of first class monarchs who have joined their ancestors in the last five months in Oyo State. The Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi died December 12, 2021 while Olubadan Saliu Adetunji died on January 2, 2022.
However, Makinde said all the monarchs who joined their ancestors in the state were ripe in age and made impact on the people.
The governor was accompanied by top government functionaries including the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun; Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, Director General, Public Procurement, Ms Tara Adefowope; Chairman, State Advisory Council and Senator Hosea Agboola. Pictures below:
Commissioners in the entourage include Bayo Lawal (Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters), Seun Ashamu (Energy and Mineral Resources), Prof Musbau Babatunde (Budget and Economic Planning), Prof Dahud Sangodoyin (Works and Transport) and a former Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Bisi Ilaka.
Special prayers were offered for the repose of the soul of the deceased in Christian, Muslim and traditional ways.
Earlier, dignitaries including the Minister of Youths and Sports, Chief Sunday Dare; the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams; Senator Soji Akanbi, traditional rulers, community leaders and prominent sons and daughters of Oyo had paid a condolence visit to the palace.
In a brief interview, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development,Sunday Dare, said the death of the Alaafin came as a shock to the entire sport family, particularly the boxing community.
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