Boniface Ihiasota
“He was also the first Yoruba Monarch to become the chancellor of Uthman Dan Fodio University. He is also a recipient of a national honour, “The commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR)”.
The Alaafin of Oyo is the King of the historic Oyo empire, the title holds so much power that all over the land, whoever occupies that position is feared and seen as the representative of the dieties. Alaafin means the owner of the palace. The current Alaafin is Oba lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi. He is from the Adeyemi branch of Alawolodu family and was born in 1938. The Alaafin is called several names to include “ Kabiyesi (The King who no one can question), Alashe ( He wields authority), Ekeji Orisha ( second-in-command to the gods). Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi is the son of Oba Adeyemi 11.
The Alaafin of Oyo is no doubt, one of Africa’s most powerful and most influential kings. According to history, the old Oyo Empire existed without break for 600 years. The current King was selected among other contestants to become King in 1968 but the government of the day did not agree and he was not crowned until January 1971. For the custom of the land, anyone who enters the King’s courtyard must remove his / her shoes except of course the Alaafin who can also speak with the gods.
He is a Muslim but describes himself as being liberal and as a free mixer who was raised in a Christian home and went to a Catholic school. In his palace, he has a pond where he keeps gold fish.
At a very old age, the Alaafin still does ‘Skipping of Rope”. He was also the first Yoruba Monarch to become the chancellor of Uthman Dan Fodio University. He is also a recipient of a national honour, “The commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR). Alaafin Lamidi installed the late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Abiola as the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland. In 1992, he installed Queen Salawa Abeni as the Queen of Waka Music. A full tank of knowledge and walking encyclopedia, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi is replete with uncanny wisdom ad gifted with rare understanding of his environment and people. Even at 81, he still stands tall.
At the age of five, the Alaafin of Oyo could chant his own Oriki after learning from his mother. He says if he was not a King, he would have become a lawyer.
Another interesting thing about the King are his wives and he stated that he did not propose to any of his wives. In his words “They desired to be with me because I sent them to school”. He stated that although he told them to leave, most of them desired to stay in the palace with him as his wives.
The Nigerian monarch wives have their own individual quarters while he has ensured that they are well educated. According to him, the least educated has a “Higher National Diploma”.
He is also very much loved because of his love for education. He has ensured that all his wives are educated while his children have several establishments and societal impact to their name. In what was a popular occurrence, Alaafin of Oyo welcomed three sets of twins within eight months in 2018.
Alaafin has not for once hidden his thoughts about governance and leadership in Nigeria. At various seminars and occasions he had called for better leadership and better governance in Nigeria and Africa.
When the Alaafin of Oyo recently installed a new Mayegun for Yorubaland, other kings queued behind him to show the respect in which he much gets from the entire-land. The Alaafin of Oyo is the permanent chairman of the Oyo State Traditional rulers Council.
ALAAFIN CHILDREN
The exact number of children the monarch has cannot be ascertained but he has well over 20 children. It is said that he has gotten over 20 Children from four wives although the dispute continues over how many wives he truly has.
SOME FAMOUS CHILDREN
Babatunde Isreal Adeyemi
This Alaafin of Oyo son has graduated from Uthman-Dan-Fodio University in Sokoto. He is a lawyer and also works as a pastor. In his Fifties he works with Oodu’a Investment Ltd. He is married to Omolara who is a justice at the Oyo state High Court.
Folashade Adeyemi
Alaafin of Oyo’s most famous daughter received higher education in the United States. She is the Chief Executive of Arewa House of Culture. She is also a politician.
Abisoye Adeyemi
A lot of people call him MC Loyo and he is the fistborn and contender to the throne. He currently works at the Nigerian customs and studied at the Oyo’s school of Surveyor.
ALAAFIN WIVES
There is a controversy on how many wives the revered Yoruba Monarch has exactly, while some say he has Four Wives, others say he has Seven wives while some others say he has Ten Wives. However, officially, he is known with four Wives.
Ayaba Abibat Adeyemi
However, the known truth is that the Alaafin of Oyo’s first Wive is Ayaba Abibat Adeyemi who is an agemate of the Monarch. Their marriage has lasted for 59 years.
Ayaaba Badirat Adeyemi
The Alaafin of Oyo youngest Wife is Ayaaba Badirat Adeyemi. She is also very popular and has a very active Instagram handle with about 127,000 followers. The youngest Wife is 29 years of age and a mother of Two Twin boys; she is very close to the monarch. Another Young wife of the monarch is Queen Memunat.
Badirat Adeyemi
The queen is fondly referred to as Olori Ola, she is the stunning youngest wife of the Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi. She is by far the most popular amongst the wives of the Alaafin and also is the youngest wife of the revered monarch. She is perhaps the closest to the Alaafin. She is 29 years of age as the time of this report and is also a graduate of the University of Ibadan where she obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree. She has a great social media presence with over 127,000 followers on Instagram and many adorable pictures to back-up her social lifestyle. She is the mother of two Twin boys.
Memunat Adeyemi
Another Wife of the King is Memunat Adeyemi, she is also a mother to Twins. She holds a Bachelor’s degree. She is another favorite wife of the Alaafin and shares a close bond with the Youngest Wife of the Alaafin, Badirat Adeyemi.
While Yorubaland has many other Kings, the Alaafin remains very respected with the throne sacred.
