Iroooo...Press Briefing from the Oyomesi: Alaafin passes on at 83. Live at the Alaafin’s palace in Oyo .

 Iku Baba Yeye, Has it therefore ended forever?

Adieu, the surviving head of the age long, and lone empire in the entire Yoruba landscape, the Oyo empire is gone forever. I woke up in the midnight to the weird news of the passing to glory of the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and the effluence nature of life struck my mind. It dawn on the globe yet again that nothing can stop the harvest of any soul when his or her appointed time for the death has come. With all the powers that Kabiesi the Son of Atiba wielded, he could not avoid death. Alafin's pageantry to the effect that Kabiesi was death and the Son of Death who could not be killed was after all not in truth nor a substance of fact. The life is so ephemeral that one of the longest reigning monarchs in Nigeria is no more. This is an end of a substantial page in Yoruba history.

When the Onikoyi of Ikoyi died few days ago, our memory was not provoked to the consciousness that a bigger exit on earth was lurking. The Onikoyi must have transited to anchor the big journey of the father of our race on eternal trip. May God be pleased with the soul of the late Alafin of Oyo, ever handsome, and powerfully commanding King, the King who did received the prostrations of many earthly Kings. 

It is remarkable to remember that jointly, the late Alafin and the present Ooni of Ife embarked on what they called a necessary step when they moved to reconcile both Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his estranged godson Rauf Aregbesola out of their feud, citing that both personalities are important Yoruba Sons. I doubt if they were successful in their bid. Today, the  raging war between Tinubu and Aregbesola politically subsists which make the task an unfinished job on which the late Alafin can not give any full relay to the Alasekus now. Who will take it up to see to the finishing of the enmity now? The lesson is that everybody will not live forever.

My heartfelt condolences is to the Oyomesis. This is a sour time at our place of origin. Deepest condolences to the Timi of Ede who no doubt was never separated from the Alafin of Oyo for near 15 years that he has assumed the stool of the Timi. Indeed, Alafin was the Father, and Timi is his Son from common source. I pray for the Ayabas, may God be with them all upon their loneliness of a lifetime.

Finally, Kabiesi Oba Lamidi did not pretend to promote things of the ancient sacredness, however he was a confessed Muslim and practicing one too. We are compelled to say that nobody can judge except the Creator as to the destination of any dead soul in the hereafter. The Alafin died during Ramadan and more notably, Baba breathed his last on a Friday. These are not ordinary and might be more than mere coincidences.

We must all advertise our minds to one evident occurrence, there is currently something about Oyo State. All the major Kabiesis are transiting in successions beginning from the Soun of Ogbomoso, then the Olubadan of Ibadan, and now the Alafin of Oyo! What is responsible for these and will this be the end in this era?

Goodnight Kabiesi, you have left an indelible imprint in the sand of times that will make it difficult for your memory to wipe out. To have attained the ripe age of 83 years in a country where life expectancy is put at under 50 years is a big grace of the Almighty God. The Alafin lived an eventful life throughout to the glory of God. May God accept your revered soul, and make your passage easy, and grant you paradise in line with the devotions of your commitments on earth. Aljanat firdaus, Alayeluwa Sir!!!

Akintunde Bello Sheriff.

Olokun Esin Dynasty - Oyo Ile, 

Ede Timi, Osun State.