By Adeola Badru

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

In a statement issued to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the revered monarch’s passing, Oba Owoade, through his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, noted that “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.”

Oba Adeyemi III died on April 22, 2022, at the age of 83, marking one of the longest reigns in modern Oyo history.

Reflecting on his legacy, the Alaafin described his predecessor as “a father with a large heart whose antecedents and precedents were worthy of emulation.”

According to him, “Not only does the late Alaafin impress the knowledgeable audience with his mastery of colonial history, but his captivating speeches usually attracted rounds of standing ovations that left the audience wondering if he was indeed a monarch or a visiting professor of African history.”

He further portrayed the late ruler as a consummate storyteller and performer, noting that his command of both Yoruba and English languages revealed remarkable intellectual depth.

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

“He is a beauty to behold when he dances rhythmically to traditional music, as his dance steps go in tandem with tunes of the music.”

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

He added that the late monarch, as a selfless and detribalised traditional ruler, sustained a distinguished reputation through his extraordinary leadership style and unwavering commitment to the welfare of his subjects.

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

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

Oba Owoade further observed that during the late Alaafin’s reign, the Oyo metropolis experienced significant transformation, growing into a city while maintaining a delicate balance between development and tradition.

According to him, the monarch “balanced rapid development and modernisation of traditional norms and institutions with preservation of the positive aspects, as well as moderating influence of traditional values.”

He also highlighted that Oba Adeyemi consistently used his exalted position to send a clear message to Nigerians, regardless of religious or ethnic background, that leadership rooted in unity and genuine friendship is attainable.

Oba Owoade averred: “The hard-earned reputation of the late monarch as an inspirational, strong, visionary leader; a relentless bridge builder; a missionary for hope; and his constant message of peace, love and harmony had endeared him to the hearts of all Nigerians and won him many national and international awards and nominations.”

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