FIFTY YEARS AGO: PRESENTATION OF STAFF OF OFFICE TO ALAAFIN OF OYO, OBA ADEYEMI
By Trek Africa Newspaper
Why January 14th 2021 is significant to the Alaafin and Oyo History. No Alaafin in modern times has celebrated 50 years on the throne.
Bode Durojaiye, Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo writes on the significance of this monumental landmark.
The traditional drums and Sekere will roll out and be sounded today, Thursday January 14, 2021, to celebrate the golden anniversary of the coronation of the veritable Custodian of Yoruba culture and traditions and the Titan of Yoruba land, His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba [Dr.] Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, the Alaafin of Oyo.
Aji se bi Oyo la ri, Oyo o se bi eni ko kan, which translates as, “You can only be like Oyo, Oyo cannot be like you.”
Consequently, the ancient Palace is wearing a new look, while cross section of residents, including groups and associations are in a state excitement and in top gear preparations to mark the coronation day.
Though, the full-scale coronation ceremony which ought to have begun since last week in Lagos with dignatories and very important personalities invited to attend the planned colourful event has been put on hold due the ravaging global pandemic, COVID-19, some localized events are allowed to take place, with strict adherence to COVID-19 precautionary directives, so as to mark the day that the Paramount Ruler was crowned, which to every son and daughter of Oyo, including those in the diaspora is remarkable.
Some of the local events included, the inter-religious prayers held on Tuesday, 12th of January, 2021, and which was followed by the laying of foundation ceremony of Oranyan Heritage and the conferment of Grand Patron of Oyo Heritage Forum on the Celebrant, Oba Adeyemi 111, at Obada area, along Oyo/Ogbomoso new expressway on Wednesday, 13th of January.
Today is set aside as Public Homage whereby residents, including groups and associations within Oyo metropolis, as well as few individuals and well-wishers from outside the metropolis, in line with COVID-19 rules and regulations, will besiege the Palace to felicitate with their Monarch who will be 50 years on the throne that day.
The Oyo Empire grew to become the largest Yoruba state. It rose through the outstanding organisational and administrative skills of the Yoruba people, wealth gained from trade and its powerful cavalry.
The Oyo Empire was one of the most politically important states in the entirety of Western Africa from the mid-7th to the late 18th century, holding sway not only over most of the other kingdoms in Yorubaland but beyond.
There would not have been the clamour for restructuring. It is argued today that the amalgamation is now like a curse; a union that has become damnable; a nuptial facing possible divorce.
No Alaafin in modern times has celebrated 50 years on the throne. The nearest was Alaafin Siyanbola Onikepe Oladigbolu, who reigned from 1911 to 1944, while Alaafin Adeniran Adeyemi II only ruled from 1945 to 1955.
Alaafin Atobatele Atugba reigned between 1837 and 1859. Alaafin Aloworodu Adeyemi ruled from 1876 to 1905.
In modern times, the shortest reign was that of Alaafin Amodo, who was on the throne only between 1833 and 1835.
The incumbent Alaafin, Iku Baba Yeye, Alaafin Adeyemi III has been very fortunate, as Oyo has witnessed a lot of growth and development during his reign.
To those who do not know, Oba Adeyemi 111 was given his staff of office on the sunny Thursday ofJanuary 14, 1971 in Oyo by the then military governor of Western State, Brigadier Robert AdeyinkaAdebayo (March 8, 1928 to March 9, 2017).
Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi has seen the entrance and exit of 21 governors, namely: Major General Adeyinka Adebayo (August 1966 – April 1971), Brigadier General Christopher Oluwole Rotimi (April 1, 1971 – July 1975), Admiral Akintunde Akinyooye Aduwo (July 1975 – August 1975), Colonel David Medayese Jemibewon (March 1976 – July 1978), Colonel Paul Tarfa (July 1978 -October 1979), Chief Bola Ige (October 1, 1979 – October 1, 1983), and Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo (October 1, 1983 – December 31, 1983). Also, Lt. Col. Oladayo Popoola (January 4, 1984 – September 1985), Col. Adetunji Idowu Olurin (September 1985 – July 1988), Col. Sasaenia Oresanya (July 27, 1988 – August 1990), Col. Abdulkareem Adisa (September 1990 – January 1992), Chief Kolapo Olawuyi Ishola (January 2, 1992 – November 17, 1993), Navy Capt. Adetoye Oyetola Sode (December 9, 1993 – September 14, 1994), and Col. Chinyere Ike Nwosu (September 14, 1994 – August 22, 1996).
Other governors of the State comprised Col. Ahmed Usman (August 22, 1996 – August 1998), Comm. Pol. Amen Edore Oyakhire (August 16, 1998 – May 28, 1999), Dr. Lam Adesina (May 29, 1999 – May 28, 2003), Alhaji Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja (May 29, 2003 – May 28, 2007; he was impeached in January 2006 but got reinstated in December 2006), Chief Christopher Alao-Akala (January 12, 2006 – December 2006; and May 29, 2007 – May 29, 2011), Chief Abiola Ajimobi (May 29, 2011 – May 29, 2019), Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde (May 29, 2019 till present – he is the incumbent governor).
The Oyo Empire is still very important to the Yorubas till today. It reminds them of when they were masters of their destiny under one able and dynamic ruler, the Alaafin.
