'Alaafin Was The Last Man Standing Among Eminent Obas' — Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has described the demise of the Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III as a huge loss to the state, Nigeria and the Yoruba race.

The governor also described Oba Adeyemi’s death as a personal loss to him.

The governor in a statement by Taiwo Adisa, his Chief Press Secretary noted that the revered monarch was an ever-supportive royal father and a worthy leader, who spared nothing in trying to make Oyo state and Nigeria greater.

He also added that Oba Adeyemi's words of advice and guidance were always golden and helpful.

While expressing his condolences to the Oyo State Traditional Council, the Oyomesi, Oba Adeyemi’s immediate family, the people of Oyo Kingdom and the entire Yoruba race, Governor Makinde prayed to God to grant repose to the soul of the departed monarch.

"Apart from Oyo State losing its last man standing in the rank of experienced monarchs with long years of royal leadership, it has also lost a royal institution and an authority, which Alaafin Olayiwola Adeyemi III had become by his high-octane understanding of Yoruba history, politics and national development.

"Kabiyesi’s departure is a huge loss not only to Oyo state, to which he committed 52 years of his life as the Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom but also to Nigeria and the entire Yoruba race.

“Oba Adeyemi was our last man standing in the rank of most eminent royal fathers with long years of leadership.

“He became a golden king, an institution and an authority rolled into one by his immense experience, wisdom and understanding of Yoruba history, royalty and politics.

“Oba Adeyemi not only elevated the Alaafin throne with his knowledge and wisdom, but he also became a worthy exemplar for royal leadership in Africa and brought glory to Oyo state and Nigeria.

“Kabiyesi never spared anything in his strive to make Oyo state greater and to bring about the Nigeria of everyone’s collective dream.

“Personally, Kabiyesi’s death is a great loss to me, because he proved to be a worthy father and had been ever so supportive of our government.

“His words of advice and guidance were always golden and helpful.

“It is my prayer that God accepts Kabiyesi’s soul into Aljanah Firdaus and upholds everyone and everything he left behind," he concluded.