Emulate Alaafin in promoting traditional religion, worshippers urge Obas

 

.Oba Adeyemi lived fulfilled, impactful life- Makinde

.Yoruba has lost a quintessential, intellectual giant, says Osun Gov. 

 

Blessing Akorowosi, Osogbo

 

Traditional religion worshippers on Sunday charged all Yoruba obas to emulate the departed Alaafin Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, to promote Yoruba traditional religion, the bases for their crowns.

 

Chief Adefabi Fadiran, Oyo State Chairman of Traditional Worshippers Association of Nigeria, gave the charge in Ibadan in a statement he issued.

 

He stated that the association condoled with the Oyomesi (Oyo traditional chiefs), Oloris, children of Oba Adeyemi, Sango devotees worldwide and all Oyo indigenes over the passing of the first class traditional ruler.

 

The traditionalists, however, condemned the open display of the late Alaafin’s corpse during the prayers session, stating that such act was against the tenets of traditional respects for a departed king.

 

They noted that while Oba Adeyemi was alive, he never minced words in condemning open display of any Yoruba oba’s remains for any purpose.

 

“He even once went against an attempt by the Ogun State House of Assembly to alter the state’s burial procedure for departed obas.

 

“The alteration was to weaken the power of traditional religion and practitioners in taking the needed roles at the burial rites of an oba,’’ the statement read.

 

The association rather appreciated Sango devotees in Oyo town for tolerating the Muslim and Christian worshippers for the initial prayers said “before taking over the last traditional rites’’.

 

“The maturity showed by the Sango worshippers would go into history as worthy of emulation.

 

“We ask all traditional worshippers to start different appeasements to smoothen the departed Alaafin’s transition to the great beyond.

 

“We send our condolences to the children, the Oloris, Oyo indigenes, Yorùbá land in general and most, especially to Ṣàngó devotees worldwide who have just lost one of them.

 

“In fact, Oba Adeyemi was a true devotee of Ṣango and that was why he joined the ancestors on Sango Worship Day,’’ Fadiran stressed.

 

Meanwhile , Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Sunday said the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, lived a fulfilled and impactful life, “not only in Oyo, but throughout Nigeria”.

 

Makinde, who led top state government functionaries to the Palace of the late Alaafin of Oyo, however, promised to give the late traditional ruler a befitting burial.

 

Adeyemi joined his ancestors on Friday night.

 

According to Makinde, the late traditional ruler lived a fulfilled and impactful life, “not only in Oyo, but throughout the country.”

 

Makinde said that he had been receiving several calls from notable Nigerians since the departure of Oba Adeyemi, indicating that the late Oba was a great man.

 

“In Oyo, we have just lost the last human encyclopaedia of our traditional history and his vacuum will be very difficult to fill.

 

“In fact, I don’t see anybody who can replace this vacuum.

 

“He was always telling the truth; he bluntly told me in 2015 when aspiring to be governor of the state, that it wasn’t possible at that time, because I didn’t have structure.

 

“So, he was a kind of personality that would not hide the truth.

 

“This is a difficult period for us; what we need this time is prayers. I pray that all the good things that baba wished for the state would be fulfilled.

 

The governor appealed to the Oyo Mesi, the Council of Chiefs and all those that would be involved in the selection of another Alaafin not to delay the process.

 

Makinde, while reacting to insinuations in the social media, in a comical manner, said he was not the one responsible for the deaths of foremost Obas in the state.

 

He explained that the top three Obas that died in the last five months, were riped in age, saying that they have impacted on their people.

 

Makinde listed the traditional rulers as: Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi of Ogbomoso, who died on Dec. 12, 2021; Oba Saliu Adetunji, Olubadan, died on Jan. 2, 2022 and Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo, on April 22.

 

Earlier, Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, on behalf of Oyo Traditional Chiefs, said they were delighted to receive the governor who came to join them in celebrating the late Alaafin.

 

Ladigbolu said that Adeyemi was “a true incarnation of Atiba, the Grand Great King of Oyo Empire”.

 

According to him, Oba Adeyemi died the same month Atiba passed away.(NAN)

 

 

Also, Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has described the passing of the Alaafin of Oyo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, as shocking, saying it signifies the end of an era.

 

Oyetola also commiserated with his Oyo State counterpart, Governor Seyi Makinde, and the entire Yoruba race over the demise of the late monarch.

 

The Governor condoled the late royal father’s family, the government and people of Oyo State over the unfortunate incident.

 

He described Alaafin’s transition as a personal loss because, according to him, the late monarch was “a good friend of Osun who was always ready to identify with our government and celebrate our humble accomplishments and achievements.”

 

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, the governor said the late monarch was a strong believer in progressive ideals, and that he remained true to his convictions over the years until he breathed his last.

 

Oyetola further described Iku Baba Yeye, as a humble and an amiable monarch despite his revered position, saying that the Yoruba race has lost a quintessential intellectual whose knowledge of and commitment to the cause of Yoruba race were unrivaled.

 

The Governor said: “I received with sadness news of the transition of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. This is a huge loss to the entire Yoruba race and the country as a whole.

 

“On behalf of the government and the good people of Osun, I commiserate with Governor Seyi Makinde, the royal family, subjects, friends and associates of the late traditional ruler.

 

“Oba Adeyemi was a visionary and an exemplary leader whose 52-year reign brought tremendous attention, peace, stability and unprecedented development to the ancient Oyo town and its people. Baba was a strong believer in progressive ideals, and he remained true to his convictions over the years until he breathed his last.

 

“He will be long remembered for his impacts, achievements, outstanding legacies and remarkable service as a custodian of the rich Yoruba cultural heritage and traditions.

 

“I pray Allah overlook his shortcomings and admit him to Al Jannah Firdaus. May He also grant his immediate family, Governor Makinde and the entire people of Oyo State the fortitude to bear his loss.”