Some traditional rulers from Yewaland in Ogun State led by Olu of Ilaro Oba Kehinde Adenole Olugbenle yesterday paid a solidarity visit to Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi over the recent fire incident that gutted a section of his palace, canvassing for conversion of the Oyo Royal Palace to a national monument.

Speaking with journalists shortly after being conducted round the remains of the burnt rooms in the palace, the Olu of Ilaro described the palace as “a pride of the Yoruba race which should not be allowed to go into extinction.”

“The Afin palace at Oyo, it must be realized, is the culture Mecca of the Yoruba race.  It is far too important to be allowed to suffer neglect, hence the need for adequate preservation so that Yoruba cultural heritage will not be in extinction.  It is the pride of Yoruba race.  We are happy to be here to sympathize with our father, an undisputable custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, and paramount ruler with unequalled attributes,” he said.

Also on sympathy visit to the palace was the Oba-elect of Ajoriiwin town, in the Atisbo local government area of Oyo State, Prince Ademola Olalere.

Speaking while receiving the prominent traditional rulers from Yewaland, Alaafin of Oyo Oba Adeyemi advocated the development of a true marriage between the country’s natural resource endowments, cultural heritage as well as scientific and engineering manpower as a means of addressing effective developmental options that will keep the country abreast of the trends in the modern age.