This post is on the Biography of the current Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola and his net worth.
Biography
The late Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi III was born on April 15, 1938. He was the longest-serving Alaafin of Oyo. He was also the son of Oba Adeyemi II, the immediate former Alaafin of Oyo who was sent into exile in 1954 for showing sympathy toward the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC).
It was after the civil war, Lamidi Adeyemi succeeded his father Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II as the king of Oyo in the year 1971. He was working as an insurance clerk before he emerged as the new Alaafin.
In ancient times before the pre-colonial era, the Alaafin was seen as an absolute ruler whose powers spread throughout the Yoruba empire. The Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife are seen as the most powerful monarchs in Yoruba land. History has it that the Oyo empire is the traditional empire of Yoruba land, although not the seat of Oduduwa, the founder of the Yoruba tribe.
Other Titles of the Alaafin of Oyo
Apart from being a wealthy rich Yoruba king which makes the Alaafin of Oyo net worth run into billions of Naira, there are other names or titles by which the Alaafin is called. These names includes Kabiyesi which means “the King Who No One Can Question”, Iku Baba Yeye meaning “The One Who Can Command Death” or “Pronounce Same Upon His Father or Mother” Or “He Who Is Parent To Death”, Alashe which means “He Who Wields Authority”, Ekeji Orisha which means “second-in-command to the gods”.
National Honours
The late Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi III was also a holder of the Nigerian national honor of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR). It was also him who installed the late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO) as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland on April 14, 1988.
Positions Held
Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi III was appointed the chancellor of Uthman dan Fodiyo University, Sokoto. He held this position from 1980 to 1992. In 1990, he was appointed Amir-ul-Hajj by the then former military president, Ibrahim Babangida. The Alaafin’s religion is Islam.
Alaafin of Oyo Net Worth
The current net worth of the Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi III has not been released by Forbes. He is ranked among the list of first-class Obas in Nigeria and is also one of the richest kings in Nigeria.
Since he is a wealthy businessman with many landed properties both in Nigeria and Abroad, it won’t be a surprise if the current Alaafin of Oyo net worth is estimated to run into millions of US dollars.
Death
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, is officially dead. Alaafin Adeyemi, who was the third from the Alowolodu Ruling House, died at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti at age 83. He ruled for 52 years.
Ooni of Ife & Alaafin: Who is Superior?
The question as to who is the most powerful monarch between the Ooni of Ife and Alaafin has sparked a lot of controversies. Both are respected in Yoruba land and culture. According to the Alake of Egbaland, he rated the Ooni of Ife as the superior King among all Obas in Yoruba land.
