Alaafin of Oyo Dies at 83

• The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III has passed away, according to multiple media sources.

• The long-serving Yoruba monarch died in the late hours of Friday, at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ade Ekiti.

• The remains of the late monarch were received on Saturday morning at Idi-Igba, and traditional rites have begun for him to be laid to rest.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III has passed away at the age of 83.

The death of the top Yoruba monarch was announced by palace officials on Saturday morning. Adeyemi is reported to have died at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti on Friday night.

The late monarch’s first son, Prince Tunde, and the Alaafin’s other children received his remains at Idi-Igba, Oyo town on Saturday morning.

Palace officials also disclosed that traditional rites for his burial have begun, but failed to share details of the funeral arrangement.

Adeyemi ruled for 52 years, which made him the longest-reigning Alaafin, before his passing.

Tradition dictates that the head of the Oyomesi, Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola would take over, pending the appointment of another monarch.

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Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III was from the Adeyemi branch of the Alowolodu family. The monarch was born on October 15, 1938, to Oba Adeyemi II, the former Alaafin of Oyo. He succeeded his father in 1970 and was crowned Alaafin on January 14, 1971.

The monarch’s death follows the passing of two other monarchs in recent times. The Soun of Ogbomoso, Jimoh Oyewumi died on December 12, 2021. Also, Saliu Adetunji, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, died on January 2, 2022.

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