The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, recalled his last encounter with the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III early last month when they both held a meeting of peace and reconciliation with some frontline politicians of Yoruba origin at Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
WITHIN NIGERIA had reported that Alaafin of Oyo passed on at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, in the late hours of Friday at the age of 83.
The Ife Royal monarch said the late Alaafin made a promise to make his first visit to the Ooni before the middle of the year.
The Ooni disclosed this in a statement released by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare on Saturday.
He described the late Alaafin as a worthy elder whose entire life was dedicated to the promotion of the prestigious Yoruba culture and advancement of humanity.
The Ooni prayed for the soul of the late Alaafin as well as the family to have the fortitude to bear his death.
He also prayed that Oyo would be spiritually guided to complete the burial of the Royal Father in full accordance with the culture and traditions of their ancestors.
“We have lost a great icon, a great monarch, who saw Oyo through civilization, and modern development without jettisoning the cultural sacredness of the throne first occupied by Alaafin Oranmiyan The Great.
“Ile Oodua Palace and the Ooni had a great working relationship with the late Alaafin who gave his best in resolving major conflicts in Yoruba land and uniting all sons and daughters of Oduduwa globally among other landmark achievements.
“The late Alaafin is one of the privileged elders that contributed to the growth of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and also saw the country through military and democratic eras with unquantifiable positive inputs,” he said.