Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has described the brilliance of the late Monarch, the Alaafin of Oyo State, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi as exceptional, saying was he knowledgeable and could argue many issues, despite not being a professor
The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo who represented President Muhammadu Buhari and the federal government when he paid a condolence visit to the family on Friday, April 29, 2022 said that Oba Adeyemi would be missed by many people who had had interactions with him at various fora.
He noted that the late Alaafin had a deep understanding of many issues, including international issues, adding that the late monarch wrote many papers during his lifetime, despite not being an academic.
Osinbajo affirmed that the late monarch was in the mould of a philosopher-king and understood the place of the correct representation of the history, heritage and political economy of a people in imbuing self-worth and self-esteem in the people and by such means, the building of a proud and patriotic people.
“In his writings and speeches, he argued vigorously that the Oyo system of governance and especially the relationship between the Alaafin and the Oyo Mesi was a precursor to the concepts of the rule of law and separation of powers, made popular by Dicey and Montesquieu.
“I will miss the times I spent with him in Ibadan and Abuja debating sundry national and international issues. I have always come away with the impression that the monarchy may have hidden away one of the best minds of this generation. But his books and articles at least help us to get a second-hand feel of his remarkable intellect and erudition,” the Vice President stated.
He further expressed his condolences to the royal family, the Governor and the people of Oyo State and all those who mourn the passing of the late Alaafin and prayed that his memory would remain blessed.
The first son of the late monarch, Prince Babatunde Adeyemi, who spoke on behalf of the family of the late monarch, hailed Osinbajo whom he described as a very knowledgeable leader and a patient man.
PIAK
