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Chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas and Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida, Afunbowo II, Sunday joined his ancestors.
Adebiyi, who was presented with the staff of office on August 13, 2010 died in his palace at the age of 63.
Mourning the monarch, House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, and Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, described his death as a great loss to Ondo State and Nigeria.
The traditional ruler, who was the 46th Deji of Akure, was said to have passed on after a brief illness.
Although his death has not been officially announced as traditional chiefs are yet to brief the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, as protocol demands, sources confirmed his passage.
One of the sources told THISDAY that the late monarch was healthy until he developed a minor ailment on Saturday evening.
He was said to be vomiting and a team of medical doctors was invited to treat him in the palace.
The condition of the monarch was said to have been stable and he was said to have slept off. Unfortunately, he died in his sleep at 2.30 am.
When the news of his death broke at 6.30 am yesterday, there was panic in Akure as traders, particularly those who have shops within and around the Oba Market, located close to the palace, rushed to their shops to remove their wares.
THISDAY gathered that the traders took the decision because the market would be closed once the death of the monarch is officially announced, in line with traditional rites.
It was also gathered that the markets would not be reopened for business until a new traditional ruler is installed.
When THISDAY got to the palace, scores of Akure residents were seen discussing the matter.
Also, the personal belongings, including vehicles of the late traditional ruler and those of his widow, Mojisola, were removed yesterday from the palace ahead of the official announcement, as failure to remove them would result in their forfeiture to the palace.
The late monarch was born in 1950 and attended Ondo Boys' High School, Ondo before he proceeded to the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, where he graduated with a degree in Agricultural Economics and a Master’s in Agric Business and Management.
Adesida was selected to succeed Oba Oluwadamilare Adesina, who was dethroned on June 10, 2010 for desecrating the throne.
With his death, the late Adesida’s first daughter, Adetutu, who was crowned along with him during the coronation ceremony, would step in as the regent of the town pending the selection of a new monarch.
Reacting to his death, Tambuwal in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, described the paramount ruler as a man of culture who worked tirelessly for stability, unity and progress of his domain.
He said the deceased’s impact had been felt well beyond the shores of Ondo State, adding that as speaker, he had benefited immensely from the late Deji's wise counsel and deep knowledge of governance and contemporary world issues.
“The Deji's demise is very painful especially for us who knew him well. The House of Representatives deeply mourns this irreparable loss. We will surely miss his regular advice and words of wisdom.
“Our prayer is that the Almighty God will give the good people of Akure Kingdom in particular, and Ondo State in general, the fortitude to bear the loss," Tambuwal added.
Amosun, on his part, expressed sadness at the death of the monarch.
The governor in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Funmi Wakama, commiserated with the family, government and people of Ondo State over Adebiyi's death.
The governor described his death as shocking, as it came at a time when his counsel is needed the most.
"He was a true patriot, who served his people well. Our sincere condolences and sympathy are with the government and people of Ondo State, and the Ojijigogun royal family at this sad time,” he said.
The state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also said it received with sadness news of the transition of the monarch.
The party in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Ayo Fadaka, said his death was a great loss to the state.
The death of Adesida also forced the Akure National Union, Ibadan chapter, to cancel its monthly meeting.
A statement yesterday by the union's President, Professor Abiodun Ayodele of the Department of Botany, University of Ibadan, described Adesida's passage as a monumental loss to Akureland, Ondo State and Nigeria.
He said the late monarch was an embodiment of humility, love and passion for the development of the town.
"All sons and daughters of Akureland are very shocked at the news of the passage of our king. He was well respected and revered. We had a very robust relationship with him as he was one of us while sojourning in Ibadan,” he said.
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