Four years on, Alaafin Owoade remembers Oba Adeyemi

Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has described his late predecessor, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, as “a royal authority, icon who represented epitome of humility, wisdom, and stayed at the forefront protecting the unity and integrity of the nation as an accomplished compatriot.”

In a statement to commemorate the four years remembrance of the late monarch, Oba Owoade, through his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, said “the late Alaafin used his exalted position to move the country back on the track of peace and also maintained his honesty of purpose, no matter whose ox is gored.”

The Nation reports that the late Oba Adeyemi III passed away on April 22, 2022, at the age of 83, which is the longest in modern Oyo history.

Alaafin said his late predecessor was a “father with a large heart, whose antecedents were worthy of emulation.”

“Not only did the late Alaafin impress the knowledgeable audience with his mastery of colonial history, his captivating speeches also attracted rounds of standing ovations that left the audience wondering if he was indeed a monarch or a visiting Professor of African History.”

He said Alaafin was a story teller and an incorrigible performer, adding that when he spoke in Yoruba and English languages, one marvelled at his depth of knowledge.

Said he: “You just wouldn’t want him to stop. He was a repertoire of history and knowledge. Despite  that he was an octogenarian, when he began to talk about historical events at the local and international levels, with statistics and dates, then you wonder how he remembers these things.

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“He was a beauty to behold when he danced rhythmically to traditional music, as his dance steps went in tandem with tunes of the music.

“The contributions of the late Oba Adeyemi to the preservation and promotion of Yoruba culture, his efforts toward the unity and progress of the Yoruba, as well as promotion of the traditional institution were unquantifiable.”

Alaafin Owoade noted that as a selfless and detribalised traditional ruler, the late monarch sustained his goodwill and pedigree, in view of his extraordinary leadership style and passion for the welfare of his subjects.

“As one of the longest-reigning royal fathers in Nigeria, and the late chancellor of four reputable universities in Nigeria and overseas, the wise counsel of Oba Adeyemi on national issues could not be underestimated. He was a strong advocate of peace and unity.

“He was a compassionate and an unrelenting philanthropist and, above all, a life coach and mentor to many accomplished gentlemen and ladies of repute,” he added.