Alaafin Postpones 50th Coronation Anniversary Over COVID-19 | Independent Newspapers Nigeria

IBADAN – The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has post­poned indefinitely his 50th coronation anniversary in the aftermath of the ravag­ing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This was contained in a statement he personally signed and issued to news­men on Saturday.

The Oba ascended the throne on January 14, 1971, aged 31.

Oba Adeyemi, who had made adequate arrange­ment for an elaborate cere­mony, said it was important to postpone the event.

He said that he had been able to convince his tradi­tional cabinet on the need to postpone the event, as a sign of respect for the sanc­tity of human life.

“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.

“Against the backdrop of the current global pan­demic of COVID-19, I have got to make a rethink on the timing of the celebration.

“With very strong per­sonal pain, but with re­spect for the sanctity of human life, I have been able to convince my tradi­tional cabinet (Oyomesi) of the need to postpone the event.

“The event is postponed till after the pandemic might have gone in no dis­tant future,” he said.

The Oba added that the logistics of effecting social distance rule and need of harbouring visi­tors from abroad for the mandatory two weeks isolation informed the decision.

“Consequently, between personal interest and na­tional interest, especial­ly when it comes to the sanctity of human live, the choice is clear for any patriot.

“While regretting any in­conveniences the postpone­ment might has caused, the sanctity of human life is more important to me than any social engagement,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) disclosed that Oyo State had recorded 91 new cases of COVID-19, bring­ing the total number of in­fections in the state to 4,248.

Oyo’s new COVID-19 up­date was released on NCDC Twitter handle late Friday night. It stated that out of 1,544 new cases recorded on January 8, 2021, Oyo State had 91.