On October 15, 1938, Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi, the current Alaafin of Oyo from the Adeyemi branch of the Alowolodu line, was born. He is the current Alaafin of Oyo, the renowned traditional empire of Yoruba country located in Nigeria’s contemporary Oyo State. He spent a brief period of his boyhood in Iseyin, where he learned the fundamentals of Islam.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): Biography & Wiki
Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi (Adeyemi III) was born on October 15th, 1938 to the Adeyemi branch of Alowolodu family. His father, Oba Adeyemi II, the former Alaafin of Oyo was deposed and sent into exile in the year 1954 for having sympathy for the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC). Oba Adeyemi II had come into conflict with the then deputy leader of the Action Group.
Adeyemi III is the current Alaafin of Oyo the acclaimed traditional empire of Yoruba land in the current Oyo State of Nigeria.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): AgeOba Lamidi Adeyemi is 83 years old.Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi):
Early Life
During his late childhood stage, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi lived briefly at Iseyin where he learnt the basic rudiments of Islam.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): Career
Oba Lamidi Adeyemi succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II in 1971. This happened shortly after the end of the Nigerian civil war when Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo was the governor. Then, he was working as an insurance clerk. As the usual practice in the selection of the new Alaafin, after the death of Alaafin Bello Gbadegesin, the Oyomesi contacted Oranlola (Baba Iwo) of Alowolodu to become the Alaafin. He then called for a meeting within Alowolodu royal family.
He informed them of his meeting with Oyomesi and that he suggested his son, Sanda ‘Ladepo. All the members of the family agreed to this except Baba Salami Dudu. Baba Salami Dudu suggested Prince Lamidi Adeyemi a son to Alaafin Adeyemi Adeniran ll. The contention for the throne of the Alaafin became more intense to the extent that some of the princes from the larger royal families in Oyo became contenders. Among these were Aremo Sanni Gbadegesin, Prince Olanite Ajagba, Prince Afonja Ilaka, Prince Lamidi Adeyemi, and Prince Sanda ‘Ladepo Oranlola.
After all the intrigues, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi
Olayiwola III emerged as the Alaafin of Oyo in 1970 and was crowned on January 14th, 1971. He emerged the first; defeating ten others after a rigorous screening exercise. However, due to what observers attested to be political interference, the then government “refused to endorse my appointment, saying the procedure was not right” were the words of this great monarch during one of the numerous interviews he granted. So the process started over again with the same result the second and the third time.
Interestingly, despite the immense pressure upon the Oyomesi ‘against his candidature by the government, the Oyomesi stood its ground. Thus the process was put in abeyance until after the civil war when the whole process started all over again. To the relief of many and the chagrin of the opposition, Oba Adeyemi III was elected the winner and was finally chosen by the kingmakers on November 18, 1970, and then moved into the palace after completing the necessary rites under the tutelage of the Oyomesi.
In 1980, the Federal Government appointed Oba Adeyemi as the pioneering Chancellor of the newly established University of Sokoto, now Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, for a first four-year tenure. At the expiration of that first tenure, the senate and council of the University recommended him for another term. The president and visitor to the university graciously approved the request, thus he was appointed for a second term. And at the expiration of the second term, in an unprecedented manner, has was appointed for yet another term, the third term, thus giving him a total of 12 years as the Chancellor of the university, a feat yet to be matched by anybody in the annals of the chancellorship of the University of Nigeria.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): Personal Life, Wives & Children
Oba Lamidi Adeyemi had married two of his wives Alhaja Olori Abibat
Adeyemi (Iya Dodo) and Alhaja Olori Rahmat Adedayo Adeyemi (Iya Ilekoto) before his ascension to the throne of his forebears. Some of his notable children are Late Alhaja Kudirat Akofade Erediuwa, Barrister Babatunde Adeyemi, Princess Folasade Arewaomoba, Princess Taibat Adeyemi, Prince Nurudeen Adesegun Adeyemi, Prince Akeem Adeniyi Adeyemi (Skimeh), and Prince Adebayo Fatai Adeyemi. He presently has seven wives and is a lover of boxing, as he was a boxer before ascending the throne of his Fathers. In February 2018, the 80-year old monarch welcomed a set of twins with one of his young wives, Memunat.
His children seem to be doing well across different sectors; Prince Akeem Adeyemi AKA Skimeh was a two-term Chairman, of Atiba Local Government and the present honourable representing Afijio/Oyo East/ Oyo West/Atiba Federal Constituency in the House of Reps; Princess Adetutu Adeyemi-Akhigbe, the Honourable Commissioner of Culture in Governor Ajimobi’s first term and Princess Folasade Adeyemi, a cultural ambassador and CEO, Arewa House of Culture.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): Quick facts about the Alaafin of Oyo
1. The Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi was born on October 15, 1938
2. He is the first Alaafin of Oyo to have married an Igbo woman or gone outside the Yoruba land to get a wife
3. With his new wife, Lamidi Adeyemi now has 13 wives. They are Abibat, Rahmat Adedayo, Mujidat, Rukayat, Folashade, Badirat Ajoke, Memunat Omowunmi, Omobolanle , Moji Anuoluwapo and Damilola.
4. Lamidi’s father, Oba Adeyemi II Adeniran, was deposed and exiled in 1954 for sympathizing with the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC).
He had a conflict with Bode Thomas, deputy leader of the Action Group.
5. Oba Adeyemi was removed as permanent chairman of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in Oyo State on May 3, 2011, by the then governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala.
The Alaafin supported the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in April 2011 elections.
6. Lamidi Adeyemi was a boxer before ascending the throne of his Fathers.
7. He succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II in 1970, during the governorship of Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo.
This was after the end of the Nigerian Civil War.
8. He was chancellor of Uthman dan Fodiyo University in Sokoto from 1980 to 1992
9. In 1990, President Ibrahim Babangida appointed him Amir-ul-Hajj in recognition of his commitment to the consolidation of Islam in Nigeria.
10. He was on the entourage of the late Head of State General Murtala Mohammed to Hajj in 1975.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi) : Net Worth
The current net worth of the Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi)
has not been released by Forbes. He is a wealth rich Yoruba King worth billions of naira. The Alaafin of Oyo is also one of the richest kings in Nigeria. He is a top-rated first-class King in Nigeria and has been a leader of the Yoruba nation for years. The Alaafin of Oyo is also a wealthy businessman with many landed properties in Nigeria and Abroad.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): Other TitlesAlaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi)
is also known and addressed by other names such as Kabiyesi which mean “the King Who No One Can Question”
Iku Baba Yeye means “The One Who Can Command Death” or “Pronounce Same Upon His Father or Mother” Or “He Who Is Parent To Death”,
Alashe which means “One Who Wields Authority”, Ekeji Orisha
which means “second-in-command to the gods”.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi) : HonoursAlaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi)
is a holder of the Nigerian national honour of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR). was also him who installed the late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO) as the Aare Ona Kakanfo (Field Marshal or Generalissimo) of Yorubaland in 1988. The Alaafin of Oyo also bestowed on the talented singer, Salawa Abeni whom he crowned the Queen of Waka Music in 1992.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): Chancellor Of Uthman Dan Fodiyo University, Sokoto
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi III was the chancellor of Uthman dan Fodiyo University, Sokoto from 1980 to 1992. In 1990, he was appointed Amir-ul-Hajj by the then former military president, Ibrahim Babangida. The Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ile Ife are believed to be the two most powerful Yoruba Kings.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi) : DeathAlaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi
, the third member of the Alowodu Ruling House, died on Friday night, 22nd April 2022, at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State in South-West Nigeria.
According to palace sources, the remains of the senior Yoruba traditional ruler were taken to Oyo town, 62 kilometres from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in the early hours of Saturday, 23rd April 2022, and traditional rites began.
He was 83 years old and the longest-reigning Alaafin in history, ruling for 52 years.
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