Yoruba top monarch, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi joins his ancestors

The monarch of the old Oyo Empire, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, on Saturday was confirmed to have joined his ancestors after 52 years of reign on the throne.

Oba Adeyemi who died at the age of 82 is the longest-serving monarch of Oyo was the third from the Alowolodu Ruling House.

He died in the late hours of Friday at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State in South-West Nigeria.

According to reports, the paramount ruler had been sick and a plan had been made to fly him abroad before he passed on.

The monarch was born on October 15, 1938 and crowned on November 18, 1970, succeeding Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu I. He was known popularly as Iku Baba Yeye.

His death came a few months after two First Class monarchs in the state, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi joined their ancestors.

While the Soun, Oba Oyewumi joined his ancestors on December 12, 2021, the Olubadan, Oba Adetunji joined on January 2, 2022.