Top Yoruba monarch died in the late hours of Friday, according to palace officials at the age of 83. Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi (iku baba yeye!!) died at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti,
Oba Adeyemi ruled for 52 years before his demise, making him the longest-reigning Alaafin in Yoruba history.
Alaafin Adeyemi III was born Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi on October 15, 1938 into the Alowolodu Royal House, (the House of Oranmiyan) to Raji Adeniran Adeyemi (born 1871), who later became Alaafin in 1945, and Ibironke of Epo-Gingin, who died when he was young. His father is said to have had over 200 wives. His paternal grandfather was Alaafin Adeyemi AlowoloduI who ruled during the Kiriji war and was the last independent ruler of the Oyo Empire before British colonialism. Alaafin Adeyemi I’s father, and Adeyemi III’s great-grandfather was Oba Atiba Atobatele, who founded New Oyo. Atiba’s father, his great-great grandfather, was Alaafin Abiodun and is a direct descendant of Oranmiyan, the founder of the Oyo Empire.
Lamidi’s father, the Alaafin of Oyo Oba Adeyemi II Adeniran, was deposed and exiled in 1954 forvsympathising with National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC). He had come into conflict with Bode Thomas, deputy leader of the Action Group. According to rumors, Bode Thomas shouted at the Alaafin for not standing to greet him as the chairman of NCNC during a political gathering. Oba Adeyemi II Adeniran feeling insulted, stood up and told Bode Thomask to go home and bark like a dog. Not long after, Bode Thomas started coughing blood and died while walking back home leaving his entourage. Herbert Macaulay was said to have heard of the catastrophe, and he along with Chief Obafemi Awolowo accused Oba Adeyemi II of poisoning Bode Thomas, and then exiled him from his kingdom. He lived out the rest of his days in Lagos where his subjects still visited him until his death in the early 1960s.
Oba Adeyemi’s Coronation
Personal life
His other wives were Ayaba Rahmat Adedayo Adeyemi, Ayaba Mujidat Adeyemi, Ayaba Rukayat Adeyemi, Ayaba Folashade Adeyemi, Ayaba Badirat Ajoke Adeyemi, Ayaba Memunat Omowunmi Adeyemi, Ayaba Omobolanle Adeyemi, Ayaba Moji Adeyemi, Ayaba Anuoluwapo Adeyemi, and Ayaba Damilola Adeyemi.
He was a lover of boxing, as he was a boxer before ascending the throne of his Fathers.
Death
KABIYESI WO AJA! ODI GBERE! OD’ARINAKO! May his soul rest in peace.