palace of the Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi
III, was razed by early morning fire caused by a surge
in power supply.
National Mirror learnt that aside some apartments
with artefacts gutted by the inferno, three apartments
belonging to three of the monarch's wives (Ayabas)
were among the 21 rooms affected in the sprawling
palace.
Also affected were the Ile Ori (inner head sacred room)
, Ile Ifa (Ifa shrine) with artefacts in them.
It was gathered that no life was lost and nobody
sustained injuries. The wives, including the mother of
triplets, Folasade; Rukaya, and Abibat were greatly
affected as they lost virtually all their valuables in the
fire.
Each of the apartments of the Ayabas contained about
five rooms.
Speaking with journalists, the Media Assistant to the
monarch, Alhaji Azeez Fehintola, said: "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 6a.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 because they lost
valuable property. They keep their monies in the
palace. Plasma television sets, jewelleries, clothes,
bags and many other valuables yet to be ascertained
were also lost to the inferno."
Meanwhile, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has lamented the
fire incident, saying that it destroyed artefacts,
ornaments and traditional relics of the people of
Yorubaland.
The governor, during a visit to the monarch in Oyo,
said: "It is in our own definition a disaster, more so,
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, Ajimobi said the effect
could have been minimised if urgent attention had
been brought to the raging fire.
"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 added.
Ajimobi said that from the assessment he had carried
out on the burnt palace, the damage to the palace was
irreparable and colossal.
He, 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...
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