Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, has described the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba (Dr.) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III as an advocate of interreligious dialogue. Bishop Badejo said this in a condolence visit to the palace of Alaafin, penultimate Thursday. The Bishop was accompanied by an entourage which included Very Rev. Fr. Peter Agboola, Cathedral Administrator; Very Rev. Fr. Boniface Wuraola, Dean of Oyo Deanery; Rev. Fr. Julius Olayinka, Director of Inter Religious Dialogue in the Diocese; Rev. Sr. Mary-Assumpta Taiwo, SSMA, Director of Religious Education; and some lay faithful. They were received by the Basorun of Oyo Kingdom and the temporary custodian of the palace, High Chief Yusuf Akinade Ayoola and other members of the Oyo Mesi council.
The Bishop thanked God for late Oba Adeyemi’s life, acknowledging the late monarch’s efforts in making Oyo a peaceful place for people to live and thrive. He also stated that the late Oba was very open and welcoming as he made everyone see the Palace as home to all. Speaking to media men at the Palace, the Bishop said “the Alaafin was a special breed.
First of all, he grew up in the Catholic culture though he remained a Muslim till death which is a good thing because it gave him a lot of sensibilities for Interreligious relations. “He was our friend, as he was very good to us. He demonstrated capability of occupying the position of the Alaafin of oyo, he promoted culture and tradition with all his gifts and he did everything possible to keep the dignity and prestige that Oyo has been known for as a long-standing Kingdom and the home of all Yorubas. He was very wise and we shall miss his intellectual prowess and his brilliant presence”.
The Local Ordinary also proceeded to pay a condolence visit to the retired Methodist Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu at his residence. The Retired Archbishop is also a Prince of the royal lineage to the throne of the Alaafin of Oyo and he shared a significantly close relationship with the late Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III as brother, confidant and friend until his demise.
