Alaafin’s burial commences June 4, says Ladigbolu

By Richard Thomas, Ibadan

Retired Archbishop of Methodist Church, Nigeria, Emeritus Reverend Ayo Ladigbolu has revealed that plans for burial activities of late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III is on top gear, saying the programme will commence on June 4, 2022.

Archbishop Ladigbolu gave the hint while playing host to the leadership of Oyo State Community Chest Council who paid him a visit to identify and commiserate with him and the people of Oyo on the passage of the highly revered monarch.

Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III joined his ancestors on April 22, 2022 after a brief ailment at Afe Babalola Teaching Hospital, Ekiti State.

Archbishop Ladigbolu described the visit as very heartwarming adding that burial activities of the late monarch which will commence on June 4, will attract high calibre personalities across the globe.

According to him the monarch had left behind indelible marks and legacies that will be difficult for people of the South West and the entire Yoruba race to forget in a hurry.

He commended the state government for its plan to give the monarch a befitting and wonderful burial.

Speaking on the charity activities of the council, the Emeritus Archbishop assured them of working on measures that will help to improve and boost their programme and social services in the state.

Archbishop Ladigbolu, who said the contributions of Community Chest Council cannot be over emphasized in social development of the state recalled that himself, Professor Akinkugbe, Prince Dotun Oyelade and few others were committee members appointed by former governor, Abiola Ajimobi to work on documents to integrate the council.

Ladigbolu commended the state governor, Seyi Makinde for establishing the office of Community Relation to interface with the council and his government for upward development of the council.

Speaking, the Special Assistant to Makinde on Community Relations, Femi Josaiah thanked Archbishop Ladigolu for the warm reception, just as he urged him to throw his weight behind the council with his wealth of experience for the council to achieve its set objectives.

While expressing her appreciation, the chairman of the council, Olusola Olagunju said the essence of the visit was to commiserate with the Archbishop on the passage of late Alaafin of Oyo and to seek his support to move the council forward.

According to her, the visit was also parts of effort to clamour for support of the state House of Assembly to approve a legislation to back up the Social Welfare Trust Fund to enhance activities of the council.