After a brief illness at the ripe age of 83, and as the longest-serving Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has finally joined his ancestors
The Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, was where Oba Adeyemi III, unarguably the most powerful monarch in Yoruba Land, breathed his last, late Friday, April 22, 2022.
Popularly known as ‘IKU BABA YEYE’ meaning ‘The One Who Can Command Death’, the departed Alaafin who reigned for 52 years, was born on October 15, 1938 into the Alowolodu Royal House.
Adeyemi, in his youthful age, was a boxer. His father is said to have had over 200 wives, while his paternal grandfather was Alaafin Adeyemi I Alowolodu, who ruled during the Kiriji War, and was the last independent ruler of the Oyo Empire, before British colonialism.
After the Civil War, Oba Adeyemi III became the Alaafin of Oyo on November 18, 1970, succeeding Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu I, during the military administration of Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo.
In 1990, then Head of Nigeria’s military junta, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, appointed him Amir-ul-Hajj. This was in recognition of the just-deceased Alaafin’s commitment to the consolidation of Islam in Nigeria.
A former Chancellor of the Uthman Dan Fodiyo University in Sokoto State, between 1980 to 1992, Adeyemi III, in May 2011, was almost ousted as Permanent Chairman of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in Oyo, by the then administration of Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala (Late), for allegedly supporting Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in the 2011 Oyo gubernatorial poll
Peeved by the Alaafin’s ‘open support’ for the opposition ACN against the then ruling PDP, Akala’s government passed a law that introduced rotation of the office of Chairman of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in Oyo, between the Alaafin and his two rivals, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomosho.
Until his death, Oba Adeyemi, attends events with his wives displaying sheer strength, with many still speculating that it is just a matter of time before ‘Iku Baba Yeye’ adds another damsel to his harem of Queens.
Well respected among his fellow Obas, the late Alaafin, who is survived by 13 wives with many children, was known to easily attract ‘fair’ (in complexion) ladies. At 82, Oba Adeyemi III, last year, got married to his youngest Olori, Chioma Adeyemi.
Perhaps, the just-departed Oyo paramount traditional leader would have dominated the boxing world like the legendary Muhammed Ali, if he was not enthroned as Alaafin. The monarch retired from boxing after he was crowned as the Alaafin of Oyo.
According to him, he fought 56 bouts, lost only two, and won 44 with knockouts.
The monarch said he ventured into boxing because he was “not a very happy person”. That is to say that he saw boxing as an avenue to relieve himself of the pain.
On many occasions, the monarch displayed his boxing skills to the awe of Nigerians.
“I am also a good boxer. I have had over 56 bouts and lost two. In my bouts, only 10 (people) who contested with me lasted the distance. I won the others by knockout but I have never been knocked out. Let me tell you a little secret. Inwardly, I am not a very happy person; so, boxing is an interesting outlet for me. When you have a grudge, you don’t feel pain,” the monarch said in an interview.
Now that the late Iku Baba Yeye has joined his ancestors and has been buried after routine Islamic and traditional rites, the entire Yoruba race would miss his brilliant leadership, his boldness and frankness when confronted with salient national issues that affect his people, his erudition and boisterous nature.
He was an embodiment of controversy as well… A serial (and sometimes, troublesome) litigant who won majority of the cases he took to court, from the absolutely necessary to the ridiculously needless.
May the soul of the legendary Alaafin Adeyemi III find peace in the midst of his forebears.
Alaafin of Oyo,
Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adesina III,
Oyo state,
