Oyo govt holds 8th day prayers for Alaafin on Saturday
The eighth day prayers for the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III is slated for Saturday.
WesternPost gathered that the eighth day programme is being organised by the Oyo State Government.
The prayers is expected to take place at the palace of the late Alaafin.
Oba Adeyemi III joined his ancestors on Friday aged 83 years after a brief illness at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.
He was thereafter buried the next day according to Islamic rites.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde had in his condolence message, described the late Alaafin as an “exemplar for royal leadership in Africa.”
“He became a golden king, an institution and an authority rolled into one by virtue of his immense experience, wisdom, and understanding of Yoruba history, royalty, and politics.
“Oba Adeyemi not only elevated the Alaafin throne with his knowledge and wisdom, but he also became a worthy exemplar for royal leadership in Africa and brought glory to Oyo State and Nigeria.
“Kabiyesi never spared anything in his strive to make Oyo State greater and to bring about the Nigeria of everyone’s collective dream,” Makinde had said in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa.
It would be recalled that Makinde had stirred controversies during the demise of the late Olubadan of Ibadan, after failing to attend the late monarch’s eighth day prayers.
He also ran into troubled waters after many accused him of not paying a condolence visit to the family of the late Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, following his death last December.
Responding to critics during his visit to the Soun’s Palace in January, Makinde said people who were criticising him were ignorant.
“I like Baba because he wouldn’t hide his feelings. He spoke truth to power. So, we will miss Baba for those qualities.
“Those who don’t want unity and progress for our state have been saying a lot of negative things since Baba joined his ancestors. Some said I did not come to condole with the family because I don’t like the people of Ogbomosoland. The truth is, all those people making those comments don’t know how close I am to the palace and to Mama (Olori Ibironke).
“When Chief Saka Balogun and I spoke, I gave him my word that I would attend the eighth-day Fidau since I was not around on the day Baba died. But later, Chief Balogun called me back and said the eighth-day prayer event may not be appropriate for the nature of burial Baba deserves, and that we should take a bit more time and make preparation for the 40th-day prayer and outing. One thing led to the other, I had to travel and I am here today.
“So, those critics are still free to keep running their mouths. Part of the reason I came is that Baba deserves state burial and, for me as the governor of Oyo State, that is exactly what I will give to Baba. So, I am here to discuss with the family personally and whatever we agree on is what I will carry out,” Makinde also said.
