Rahaman Onike |
Since Friday night that Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III joined his ancestors, there have been different write -ups on people’s perceptions of the late Alaafin depending on which sides of the divide each of the assessors stands in judging his actions, decisions on issues and his entire reign. His sudden passage not only brought an end to his 52 years' old illustrious reign on the throne, the Alaafin died at age 83 on the throne at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. This is a mark of a new beginning for the people of Oyo and the Yoruba race in general. Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III was the longest – serving Alaafin of Oyo and his reign was eventful and full of intricacies. Having been privileged to know the Kabiyesi and work closely with him over the years, no single piece is sufficient to capture his parental background, ascendancy to the throne, personal accomplishments, challenges that characterized his reign and his contributions to the socio- economic and political developments in Nigeria.