Alaafin Of Oyo Plans Big For 45th Coronation Anniversary

ACTIVITIES to celebrate 45th coronation anniversary of Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, the Alafin of Oyo have kicked off. Every 14th of January is the day of the official investiture of the Alaafin. November 18, 1970, was the actual day Prince Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi was consecrated as the Alaafin of Oyo Empire by Colonel Adeyinka Adebayo, Governor of the old Western Region. It was the day Oba Adeyemi was invested with the insignia of royalty, on his succeeding to the Sovereignty.

This was shortly after the Nigerian civil war. To however commemorate this auspicious occasion, a series of activities which have been lined up, kicked off last Tuesday in the United Kingdom. Alaafin, while landing at the famous Gatwick Airport, was received by officials of the Nigerian High Commission and some well-meaning sons and daughters of Oyo.

After a short official reception, Alaafin was taken to his residence at Marlin Stratford, 2 Millstone Close, London, E15 1PE. He paid a royal visit to the British National Museum, in the city of London Westminster and thereafter, a live programme was held in his honour on BEN-TV with the topic: ‘Culture And Festival: Manifestation of The Yorubas’. However, this trip was a double-edged sword.

Firstly, it provided a rare and golden opportunity for Yorubas across the globe to meet and tap from Alaafin Iku Baba Yeye’s wealth of enormous cultural endowment. An uncommon gift many custodians of tradition and culture are devoid of.

Secondly, His Majesty and the Prince met with some stakeholders in the British education sector for a symbiotic discourse; which inadvertently translated to the advancement of education in Oyo Federal Constituency and Nigeria in general. This visit, according to the honorable member, definitely is a replica of what obtained during Kabiyesi’s last visit to the State of Maryland in the United States where medical experts were brought to Oyo for free medical treatment for more than 7,000 people on a barrage of ailments troubling them. On the main celebration, which holds in January 14, 2016 in Oyo Alaafin palace in Oyo State, Kabiyesi has confirmed an elaborate and lush celebration will be put in place to celebrate the coronation