ONE common way of greeting a Yoruba monarch is, “Long may you reign”. At 80 years of age, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the Alaafin of Oyo, has lived long. Having sat on the ancient throne for 47 years, he has also reigned long. But, how has he added value to the office, and how has he impacted his environment?
The Alaafin, by whatever yardsticks employed, has elevated the standards. He is a prominent traditional ruler in Yorubaland. He ascended the throne on January 14, 1971, holding out hope as a potential modern Alaafin, standing at the portals of a rapidly changing society. At the time, the Ooni of Ife, Sir Adesoji Aderemi, was without doubt the foremost ruler in Yorubaland. He was educated, was, at a point, Governor of Western Nigeria, revered by all, whether by the civilian or military rulers.
Beside, Oba Aderemi had been on the throne since 1930 and had lived for about eight decades. He was part of Nigeria’s history, pre and post-colonial.
The events of the 50s that got Alaafin Adeniran Adeyemi II banished, brought Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu to the throne, and the vacuum from 1968 to 1970 when Prince Lamidi Adeyemi was selected the new Alaafin, had weakened the stool somewhat. It was left for Oba Adeyemi III, to ensure restoration of the preeminence of the Alaafin. He did so by bringing class and unrivalled brilliance to bear on his assignment. He had learnt enough of the tradition and history of the Oyo Empire and had no doubt that Oyo should never play the second fiddle at any time. Since Ooni Aderemi transited in 1979, the Alaafin has worked to reposition the stool.
The Alaafin is knowledgeable and erudite. He speaks with authority of one who is well groomed and prepared for the task at hand. He comes across as a philosopher, a traditional poet, counsellor and natural leader. Despite the accident of history involving his father, and the reluctance by the approving authority to allow him mount the throne, as well as a seeming conflict with the Second Republic government of Oyo State, Oba Adeyemi, by a deployment of rare tact and wisdom, overcame the vicissitudes.
During the Abacha days, he refused to join the multitude in selling off his people. In the current political climate, he has not been linked with any particular partisan political tendency.
A recent attestation to his grace and class was the unexpected appointment of Otunba Gani Adams as Aare Ona Kakanfo (War Commander or Defender) of Yorubaland. It was a master stroke as many had thought the title last conferred on the late Bashorun Kashimawo Moshood Abiola in 1988, would be accorded a prominent politician, business magnate or retired General of Yoruba extraction. The only qualification of Otunba Adams for the title was the role he played in founding the militia group, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) that served as a militant arm of the liberation movement, the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election clearly won by Bashorun Abiola.
The Alaafin has lived long and played a critical role in the history of Oyo town, Oyo State and Yorubaland. He is a cosmopolitan ruler who, despite being a Muslim, is at home in the church, reciting verses of the Bible, and chanting the odu ifa.
He was born great on October 15, 1938, attained greatness and sustained it. In recognition of his enviable roles, he was conferred with the third highest national honour, the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), in 1979. He would for many decades, possibly longer, remain a reference point in how class and grace could be so combined in a man.
