Prominent Yoruba monarch, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has died at the age of 83.

Oba Adeyemi, the third from the Alowodu Ruling House of Oyo Kingdom, died on Friday at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, in Ekiti State after a brief illness.

Palace sources said the remains of the deceased monarch have been moved to Oyo where his burial rites are underway.

Born as Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi on October 15, 1938 in Oyo town, he was crowned on November 18, 1970 as successor to Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu I. He was popularly known as Iku Baba Yeye.

Alaafin Adeyemi was the longest reigning king of Oyo ever, having ruled for 52 years. He was the permanent chairperson of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.