9th January, 2013
GBENRO ADESINA/IBADAN
The Palace of Nigeria’s Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III was today gutted by fire, which consumed invaluable and historic artefacts, in its rage.
According to the information gathered, the fire disaster was caused by an electrical surge and affected twenty one rooms including three apartments belonging to three of the monarch’s wives in the ancient palace. The Alaafin used to preside over an expansive Oyo kingdom, with reach as far as present day Togo and Benin Republic.
Equally affected in the fire were the Ile Ori and Ile Ifa, razed with artefacts in them.
Information revealed that though no life was lost and nobody sustained injuries, the monarch’s wives were greatly affected as they lost virtually all their valuables into the fire.
The Alaafin’s Media Assistant, Alhaji Azeez Fehintola, disclosed:
“The extent of damage by the fire goes beyond my imagination. Immediately I got here and saw the extent of the damage done to the palace by this early morning conflagration, I could not but break down into tears. The fire, which broke out from electrical surge, started around 6 a.m and was contained after about three hours. The fire-fighters came at some minutes past seven and battled it till it was finally put out. Every part of the affected apartments was completely razed. It was a really sad day for the Ayabas,(the king’s wives) who were in sober mood because many of their property were destroyed. They keep their monies in the palace. Plasma television, jewellery, clothes, bags and many other valuables yet to be ascertained were destroyed”.
According to the Zonal Commandant of the Oyo branch of the Fire Service, Mr. Munirudeen Olalekan, his office was called at 6.47 am and the staff immediately went to the palace with a full water load of tanker, but it was soon exhausted because the extent of the fire was massive.
“We had to go for another tanker-load. And with the assistance of people around, we were able to contain it”.
Reacting during a sympathy visit to the monarch, Governor Abiola Ajimobi lamented the fire incident saying that it destroyed artefacts, ornaments and traditional relics of the people of Yorubaland.
His words, “it is in our own definition a disaster, moreso, having gone round the whole palace on inspection of the damage. The fire touched virtually everywhere and it was very devastating. It consumed virtually everything, including traditional attires, ornaments”.
While charging fire fighters to be more dedicated and effective in their operations, Governor Ajimobi said the effect could have been minimized if urgent attention had been brought to the raging fire noting: “The lesson here is that, one, our fire support services should be more efficient. Second, the reactions of the Kabiyesi and the entire family were very commendable and immediate. That they were able to put out the fire is commendable”.
The governor said that from the assessment he had carried out on the burnt palace, the damage to the palace was irreparable and colossal.
Ajimobi however promised to assist the monarch in the reconstruction of the palace, stating that as a foremost traditional ruler and a great friend of the administration, government could not but support the Kabiyesi because in doing so, government was supporting Yorubaland.
“As a government, we are going to support the Kabiyesi and the Kabiyesi, as you know, has been at the forefront of support for the present administration,” the governor said.