The news of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III joining his ancestors has come as a shock to us. He was a great Oba who brought respectability to the stool bequeathed to him by his fathers.
Oba Adeyemi used the entire 52 years he spent on the throne of Oyo building bridges of friendship across all divides. He was a unifier in words and in deed. He was a progressive and a philosopher king. He worked so hard to mould his ancient kingdom into a modern town and was always available to speak for the people when occasion demanded.
Everyone who ever interacted with him knew his worth as a great repository of history, culture and tradition of his people. Oyo town has lost a father and a king; Yorubaland has lost a leader and Nigeria has lost a patriot and a nationalist.
We pray for the repose of his soul while we commiserate with his family, the government and people of Oyo State on this monumental loss. God Almighty will look after all he left behind.
Signed
Ambassador Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu
For the Obafemi Awolowo Family.
