Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
Nigerian gospel singer Yinka Ayefele has penned a heartwarming tribute to the late former Oyo state Governor Alao-Akala who died on Wednesday 12th January 2022.
In a statement shared via his Instagram page, Yinka Ayefele said the story of his life would be incomplete without documenting the various acts of Alao-Akala, who was indeed one of his destiny helpers.
Yinka Ayefele recalled how the late former Oyo State Governor facilitated how he became a sought out musician for Aso Rock which made him closer to the former Vice president Atiku Abubarkar.
The statement reads: There is no way I will write the story of my life and I will not devote ample space to documenting the various acts of the benefaction of Otunba Alao-Akala towards me. He was indeed one of my destiny helpers.
“He was one of the individuals that God greatly used for me. He facilitated how I became the darling musician for Aso Rock during which time I became close to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. I have since then been doing musical performances for the Atiku family when they have social functions.
As part of the unique attributes that set the former governor apart, he was genuinely interested in the progress of other people. He was generous to a fault and never begrudged anyone. Those who wronged him, he forgave easily.
“I am still in shock. I have been unable to accept the reality that Otunba Alao-Akala has left this world to join the saints-triumphant who have been recalled from their earthly labours.”
Let the family and those of us on whom he made great impacts sink our grief in the golden words of Thomas Campbell who once said ‘To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die’. Otunba Alao-Akala will forever live in our hearts,” Ayefele said.
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