Some Nollywood actors on Saturday mourned the passage of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Alaafin of Oyo.
The late Alaafin died on Friday night at the Afe Babalola Teaching Hospital Ado-Ekiti.
The actors took to their Instagram pages to pay tribute to the late oba with the display of his pictures.
Ademola Adetunji wrote, “ATANDA became a king at 31 and ruled for 52 years, died at 83…LAMIDI was a true example of not too young to rule. RIP Atanda Olayiwola Lamidi Adeyemi….IKU BABA YEYE. Sunre ooo.”
Also, Adebayo Salami popularly known as “Oga Bello”, said, “I commiserate with the royal family, Oyo State Government and the good people of Oyo kingdom on the transition of His Imperial Majesty Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Alaafin of Oyo.
“May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him aljannah Firdaos.”
Another actor, Saheed Balogun, wrote, “Erin wo! RIP Iku Babayeye Kabiyesi Adeyemi Lamidi.”
Muyiwa Ademola said, “Erin wo, ajanaku sun bi oke. Oba Lamidi Adeyemi ti waja, Atanda roru aremabo. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
Kunle Afod wrote, “RIP Kabiyesi Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III Alafin Oyo. You shall forever be remembered.”
Toyin Afolayan said, “May your soul rest in perfect peace, Baba dada iku Baba yeye, oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, King of Oyo land, Sun re o.”
Alaafin’s demise sad – Yoruba youths
The Grand Council of Yoruba Youths has described as sad, the demise of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who joined his ancestors on Friday at age 83.
The President-General of the group, Mr Bamiji Awa, in a statement on Saturday in Lagos, said the death of the first-class paramount ruler was a rude shock to the youths.
“It is so sad to lose this top Yoruba Oba at this crucial period when his wisdom and counsels are most needed,” Awa said.
According to him, the late Alaafin was naturally supposed to be the royal host of the group’s proposed Yoruba Presidential Aspirants’ meeting under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said the meeting was targeted at promoting love and unity before the May 30 Presidential Primaries of the ruling party.
Oba Adeyemi was the longest reigning Alaafin ever, having ruled for 52 years. He was crowned on Nov.18, 1970, succeeding Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu I.
Alaafin Adeyemi was born Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi on Oct.15, 1938 into the Alowolodu Royal House of the famous Oyo town.
He is said to have died at the Aare Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital on Friday and was laid to rest on Saturday within the premises of the palace, in the ancient town of Oyo.
His death came months after the two other senior Oyo State traditional rulers, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi died.
UNIMAID mourns Alaafin of Oyo
Prof. Aliyu Shugaba, Vice-Chancellor, University of Maiduguri has described the demise of its Pro-Chancellor, Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, as a painful exit.
Shugaba said this in a statement released in Maiduguri on Saturday.
He said Oba Adeyemi has demonstrated unparalleled passion, and commitment to the development of education in Nigeria in general, and the University of Maiduguri where he served as Pro-Chancellor.
The VC said the late Alaafin would specifically be remembered for his sterling leadership, sustained fatherly guidance, support and understanding of peaceful coexistence and progress of the university.
“As the university community mourns his painful exit, may I, on behalf of the Council, Senate, top Management Committee, staff, and students of the University, extend our condolences to the Visitor, President, Muhammadu Buhari, Government of Oyo State, members of his immediate family and the entire Oyo Kingdom.
“We pray to Allah to grant him Jannatul-Firdaus Ameen,” Shugaba said.
