Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III (born 15 October 1938) is the Alaafin, or traditional ruler, of the Yoruba state of Oyo and pretender to the throne of its historic empire,a former Insurance Executive, A well-learned man and a custodian of the Yoruba Culture, he attended St Gregory’s College Lagos 1954-59 and remains one of the most influential Monarchs in Nigeria. According to legend, the tribal marks on his face are exactly the type on the face of his father, Adeyemi II and his grandfather, Adeyemi I. Special care was taken in etching the tribal marks, as far as length, width, depth and symmetry are concerned. This special tribal mark is called Abaja Alaafin Mefa Mefa.
Lamidi's father, the Alaafin of Oyo Oba Adeyemi II Adeniran, was deposed and exiled in 1954 for sympathizing with the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC). He had come into conflict with Bode Thomas, deputy leader of the Action Group.
Lamidi Adeyemi succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II in 1970 as the 43rd Alaafin of Oyo., during the governorship of Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, after the end of the Nigerian Civil War.
In 1975 the head of state General Murtala Ramat Mohammed included Oba Adeyemi in his entourage to the hajj. He was chancellor of Uthman dan Fodiyo University in Sokoto from 1980 - 1992. In 1990 President Ibrahim Babangida appointed him Amir-ul-Hajj in recognition of his commitment to the consolidation of Islam in Nigeria.
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