Alaafin: Aide recounts last moments as UniMaid mourns chancellor

The late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, in his last moments, told his domestic staff to be more diligent and never attempt to infringe on other people’s benefits, the director of media and publicity to the late monarch, Bode Durojaiye, revealed yesterday.

He said the late Alaafin talked about hard work, prayer, dedication and making sure that they did their best in promoting peace, and even prayed for them before he left home.

Durojaiye, who spoke with reporters in the alaafin’s palace, said their last moment with the revered king before he departed for a medical checkup at the Afe Babalola Teaching Hospital, Ekiti, was lively.

He said the late monarch knew the value of education; hence that he placed over 600 students on scholarship.

“He was my father, my mentor and inspiring leader, so he meant a lot to me. With a heavy heart and sad mind, I feel bad over the demise of my dedicated and committed boss,” he added.

Oba Adeyemi passed away on Friday at the age of 83.

In a related development, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Professor Aliyu Shugaba, has expressed deep shock over the death of the monarch who was the chancellor of the institution.

Shugaba, in a condolence letter he signed on behalf of the governing council, Senate, management, staff and students of the university, said the late king demonstrated unparalleled passion and commitment to the development of education in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, mourners have continued to throng the palace, among them religious, traditional and political; leaders.

A young politician who said the late monarch promised to support his house of assembly ambition in 2023 was sighted by our correspondent crying.

Also, the prominent Akesan market remained shut as a sign of respect for the departed monarch.

However, the chairman, Traditional Religion Worshippers’ Association of Nigeria (TRWAN), Oyo State branch, Adefabi Fadiran, and the secretary, Fakayode Fatunde, have commended the religious harmony witnessed during the burial rites of the late alaafin.

They criticised the open display of the late Alaafin’s corpse during the Muslim prayer session, which they said was against the tenets of traditional respect for a dead king, which they said was against the tenets of traditional respect for a dead king.