Late Alaafin of Oyo: Early years, reign, wives

Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III died on Friday night, April 22, 2022. He was 83 years old.

The monarch died at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti. His body has since been taken back to Oyo State where burial rites have begun.

In this article, we shall discuss his early life, reign, wives, famous boxing skills and more.

Table of Content hide 1Early Life 2Reign 3Alaafin’s wives 4Boxer 5Hajj 6Chancellor

Early Life

Oba Adeyemi was born on October 15, 1938, in the Alowolodu Royal House. His full name was Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi. He was a member of the House of Oranmiyan.

His mother, Ibironke, died when he was young; while his father, late Raji Adeniran Adeyemi became Oba in 1945.

Reign

Shortly after the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III became Alaafin in 1970 at the age of 31.

Iku Baba Yeye as he was fondly called, succeeded Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu I.

He was the permanent Chairman of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in Oyo State until May 3, 2011. However, the late Adebayo Alao-Akala administration passed a law that introduced rotation of the Office of Chairman between the Alaafin, OluIbadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomoso.

Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III was the longest-reigning Alaafin ever. He reigned for 52 years.

Alaafin’s wives

Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III married 13 wives and they are:

• Ayaba Abibat Adeyemi (Senior Wife)
• Ayaba Rahmat Adedayo Adeyemi
• Ayaba Mujidat Adeyemi
• Ayaba Rukayat Adeyemi
• Ayaba Folashade Adeyemi
• Ayaba Badirat Ajoke Adeyemi
• Ayaba Memunat Omowunmi Adeyemi
• Ayaba Omobolanle Adeyemi
• Ayaba Moji Adeyemi
• Ayaba Anuoluwapo Adeyemi
• Ayaba Damilola Adeyemi

The Alaafin always went with his first wife or one of his younger wives to public events. He also had 20 children and grandchildren.

Boxer

The late Oba is said to be a boxer before ascending the throne. His love for boxing was apparent as he always displayed his skills in public.

Hajj

In 1975, Head of State General Murtala Muhammed included Oba Adeyemi in his entourage to hajj. Then General Ibrahim Babangida appointed him Amir-ul-Hajj in recognition of his commitment to promoting Islam in Nigeria.

Chancellor

Late Oba Adeyemi was the Chancellor of Uthman dan Fodiyo University in Sokoto from 1980 to 1992.