The palace of the Alaafin of Oyo is full of mysterious beings.
One of such is a very old man who is reputed to be no less than 137 years old and despite his age, walks briskly unaided in and around the Alaafin of Oyo palace. He is very popular not only because of his diminutive figure but because of his humility. He hardly gets angry. Some call him a man with repository of knowledge of the Palace for he has the history off-hand and some call him the Palace’s mobile library or an archive.
He is called Baba Kekere possibly because of his height. His real name is Morenikeji Lasisi. His real age is unknown because his birth was not recorded, but a visitor to the palace said when he first had an encounter with him in the 80s, he was already 95 years old.
Prince Adeleke Adeyemi one of the late Oba’s children, in a photograph which has gone viral, had taken a picture which him. Despite his age, he is still healthy and very agile. He sees and hears well. He walks well and recollects past events vividly. Ask him anything about past historical events; he will regale you with the details with accuracy.
Palace sources claimed that Baba Kekere has the uncommon privilege of witnessing the reigns of three successive Alaafin.
– He served Oba Adeniran Alabi Afolabi Adeyemi II (the father of the late Alaafin) between 1945 and 1955.
– He served Oba Bello Gbadegesin Oladigbolu II between 1956 and 1968.
– He served Oba Lamidi Atanda Olayiwola Moroundiya Adeyemi III from his ascension in 1971 till April 22, 2022 when he died.
