As the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi celebrated his 79th birthday some past and serving political office holders from the town on Saturday gathered in Oyo to felicitate the monarch.
At a lecture organised to mark his birthday at the Atiba hall, Oba Adeyemi’s giant strides since assumption of office of the Alaafin, 46 years ago became subject for discussion.
The event themed “Alaafin’s Economic Empowerment, Youth Development and the Quest for Greater Oyo”, was witnessed by a governorship aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Yunus Akintunde, Senator representing Oyo Central, Monsurat Sunmonu, House of Representatives member, Akeem Adeyemi, Chairman of the Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Taofeek Akeugbagold.
They attributed their success stories to Alaafin who they regarded as “the magic wand and God sent helper” for their political career.
According to Akintunde, who was commissioner for works and transport, the monarch remained the greatest ever living royal father in black Africa who wields political, economic and infrastructural powers to develop the town and its people, which prior to Oba Adeyemi ascension to the throne of his forbears was nothing to write home about.
The Oyo-born politician listed several road rehabilitation, reconstruction and infrastructural facilities brought to Oyo during his short stint in government, and highlighted a number of challenges of the town but was quick to add that, “with the never say die spirit of Alaafin, all the grey areas will soon be over and Oyo will forever remain in the forefront of developmental greatness of the entire state. Kabiyesi’s intellectual prowess, philanthropy and uncanny love for development are legendary and we shall continue to drink from the milk of your fatherly gestures.”
Sunmonu described Alaafin as her father, who remains the pillar to all her successes by first becoming an elected member of the state House of Assembly, Speaker of the House for four years and now elected Senator of the Federal Republic.
She highlighted her achievements made possible by Alaafin to include provision of transformers and empowerment for people across Oyo Central and the sponsorship of motion to finish the ongoing Oyo-Ogbomoso road which works would complete by December 31, 2017, among others.
Adeyemi who is also a biological son to the monarch said that the Alaafin ensured sleepless nights for him on youth empowerment and vocational training for all Oyo sons and daughters in order for them to be self reliant and good ambassadors. He showcased a quantum of graduates who had secured employment in Federal Government civil service through the connection of Oba Adeyemi.
Oba Adeyemi while responding expressed appreciation to all the people of Oyo as he stressed, “It was rare to be alive and bear testimony to the great things one has done to develop human and material resources that are abound here. I am very happy that in my lifetime, people appreciate my footprints in the sand of time.
Other speakers who poured encoumium on the monarch at the event include the Deputy Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. AbdulWasiu Musah, Commissioner of Police in the state, Abiodun Odude, National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress, Gani Adams, Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Osolo of Isolo, Lagos, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka, and scores of traditional rulers in Oyo and Oke-Ogun areas.
