The 141-year-old monarch in Oyo State, Oba Samuel Afolabi, the Onilua of Ilua, in Kajola Local Government Area, has died at the age of 141.
The monarch, who is believed to be the oldest in south-western Nigeria, joined his ancestors on the morning of Saturday, May 23. According to reports, he died of age-related illness.
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InsideOyo.com looks at five things you probably did not know about the late Monarch:
- He was born in 1879 during the reign of Adeyemi 1 of Alowolodu, who was the last independent Alaafin to rule the Oyo Empire, little is known about Afolabi’s younger years in the public domain.
- Though little details about him emerged after his death, the late monarch was reportedly a modest farmer, who traded his produce at Arigidana, Baba Ode in Itesiwaju Local Government Area before he was called to occupy the throne.
- He ascended the throne after the demise of Oba Majaro in 1981 through the unanimous consent of the kingmakers.
- He was 102 years old when he became the king.
- Throughout his 39-year reign, Afolabi didn’t steal the spotlight but contributed greatly to the growth and development of Ilualand.
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