Oba (Dr.) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, JP. CFR, LLD, SRP, D.LLTS, OPAT Alaafin of Oyo and Permanent Chairman Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs has announced the postponed the celebration of already planned 50th anniversary on the throne.
The event was scheduled to hold January 14. 2021
The 45th Alaafin said the painful decision became necessary because the sanctity of human life is more important to me than any social engagement.
He said part of the factors that informed that painful decision is the logistics of effecting the social distance rule and the need of harbouring visitors from abroad mandatory two weeks isolation which might not be verified.
According to him, “With very strong personal pain but with respect for the sanctity of human life, I have been able to convince my traditional cabinet in
the name of the Oyomesi of the need to postpone the formal programme till after the pandemic might have gone in no distant
future.
In a letter personally signed by the foremost monarch, Alaafin said
“As it is expected, I have made adequate and abundant arrangements for elaborate thanksgiving ceremony to celebrate the well-deserved occasion.
“As usual, all those who know the importance of the Alaafin stool
to the Yoruba nationhood both at home and in the diaspora had
indicated their intention to be physically present on the occasion.
“Accordingly, a lot of resources had been committed by well
meaning people apart from my personal purse; to which we thank
God for his blessings. But against the backdrop of the current global pandemic of COVID-19, I have got to make a rethink on the timing of the celebration.
