The paramount ruler of Akure kingdom, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, is dead. The Deji of Akure joined his ancestors in the early hours of Sunday in his palace after a team of medical officials could not rescue him.
Reuben Fasonranti, the leader of Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-political group, confirmed that Adesida passed on in Akure in the early hours of Sunday.
Fasoranti, who could not confirm what led to the death of the king, however said the entire Akure kingdom was in a sorrowful mood.
“Though the reign of the Oba was short, but he was a successful ruler, because Akure and Ondo State generally witnessed a lot of development and progress during his time on the throne of his ancestors,’’ he said.
Fasoranti appealed to the people of Akure to remain calm and peaceful, adding that God would give them the fortitude to bear the loss.
In a related development, the Olu of Igbejiland in Akure South Local Government, Oba Kolawole Ayininuola, said the late Deji was a great king during his short reign.
He said that the Oba would forever be remembered for his wisdom and ability to rule Akure kingdom effectively.
Sympathisers have continued to besiege the palace to confirm the news of his death. Traders at the popular Oja Oba, which is the city’s largest market, hurriedly closed their shops as a mark of honour for the late monarch.
Oba Adesida, who ascended the throne on Aug. 12, 2010, died at the age of 63.
President Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with Gov. Olusegun Mimiko, and the people of Akure and Ondo State on the death of the monarch.
A statement in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said that Jonathan extended sincere condolences to the family and relatives of Adesida who ascended the throne in August, 2010.
“As they mourn Oba Adesida, who had sadly passed on just a little over three years after his coronation, the President urges them to take solace in the belief that God’s will is unquestionable and must always prevail,” the statement said.
It said that Jonathan assured Mimiko, Adesida’s family and the people of Akure of his sympathy and solidarity with them as they grieved over the monarch’s death.
The statement said that the President prayed that God would comfort them all and grant the Oba’s soul peaceful repose.
Also, J described the late monarch as a good person that would be missed by the people, including Ajimobi.
In a statement signed by Dr Festus Adedayo, the Special Adviser to the governor on Media Matters, the governor expressed shock at the passing of the respected monarch,
According to the statement, he will be missed by the people for his “reputed wisdom and widespread social tentacles’’ that he used to uplift the state.
“The people of Oyo State and its state capital, Ibadan, will miss the revered monarch, who lived in Ibadan for decades before he was crowned the Deji,’’ it said.
The statement prayed for the repose of his soul and prayed that God would grant his family and friends the fortitude to bear “the irreparable and untimely departure.’’