GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State t the weekend described the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, as an intellectually, spiritually and physically endowed monarch, who is passionate about the peace and progress of the Yoruba people.
The governor gave the remark on Saturday during the 70th anniversary of Alhaja Ramat, second wife of the Alaafin at the Oyo palace.
Ajimobi, who noted that discipline and selfless service were vital ingredients of good leadership, said, “Our father has demonstrated high sense of integrity. This is evident in his ability to manage a large family and assert his authority as a leading Yoruba monarch.
“Alaafin is intellectually, spiritually and physically endowed. He has distinguished himself as a leading monarch with integrity. He always strives for the peace and progress of the Yoruba people at all levels. You are, indeed, a pride to Oyo town, our state, the nation and the entire Africa and black race”.
Arch Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu (retd), who read the citation of the celebrant, commended the state government for the infrastructural development of the state.
He highlighted the functions of the queens to include counselling, saying, “They provide guidance to the king on the festivals that are done on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis. There are 201 deities in the palace. The Ayabas (queens) are the designers of the oba’s attires.
“They are to ensure that the king looks radiant. They protect artefacts in the palace. They are the dieticians of the king”.
Alaafin, in his remarks on the occasion, commended Ajimobi administration for restoring peace to the state. He also pledged his support to the state government.
Among those that were present on the occasion were the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu; Florence, wife of the governor; Chief of Staff to the governor, Dr. Adeolu Akande.
Others were the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Alaba Lawson; and Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria, Chief Akin Oke.
Also present were the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Samuel Adegbola; Iba of Kishi Moshood Lawal; Onigbeti of Igbeti, Emmanuel Oyebisi; Oloje of Oje-Owode, Oyinloye Olagbenro; Onimia of Imia, Sikiru Egbeyemi; and Asigangan of Igangan, Oba Rasheed Adeoye.
