Sayó Àlàgbé
IN THE context and content of character of Alaafin we used to read in Yoruba history, a lot is embodied, shrouded and bundled of mysteries surround the evergreen nature of Alaafin. Within the individual privacy, Alaafin is consciously honoured and referenced. Beyond the corners of individual and community locales, Alaafin is regarded as the beginning of Yoruba culture, promoter of norms and values, and harbinger of traditions.
ALAAFIN, without prefixes and suffixes, remains a force to reckon with. He is not a rubber stamped king (Oba) to any government in power. He is not to be toyed with, or taken for granted. He has sense of direction on any critical issues. He is never lost! Alaafin is seen as second in command to God, and not comparable to any other Oba in Yorubaland. Alaafin is unique, exceptional and has uncommon throne. What makes Alaafin throne tick?
THE waiting time may be over, the long awaited Alaafin has emerged and officially crowned! What matters again? The new dawn of history? New chapter to consolidate on the success stories of the predecessor? The years ahead are pregnant with meanings, yet, hold a lot of promises for the ancient town of Oyo – the stool of Alaafin.
BEYOND doubt, history has opened new pages for the 46th crowned Alaafin: His lmperial Majesty, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, who has been previously presented with the insignia of office by Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde in a brief ceremony held at the State Government House, Agodi, lbadan, on Monday, January 12, 2025. The official declaration and ascension of throne was more colourful, memorable and in more than a week long ceremony climaxed in Oyo on Saturday April 5, 2025; announced the new Alaafin to the world. What follows beyond the cultural, traditional rites and official steps taken, are expectations and high hopes. That’s non-negotiable!
Permit my digression. The late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adéyemí 111 apart from being a strict disciplinarian, a regimental, principled, bold, strict, assertive, honest, and integrity personified, was also an arch custodian of culture and tradition. Besides, the late monarch was a walking encyclopedia of history and prodigious savant of knowledge, who could take the scholarly professors or anybody blessed with broad knowledge up in all subjects on culture and traditions, or topic of discussions related to them, without being off the rail.
THROUGHOUT the 20 years of my closeness to him, he remained an unbeatable debater, deep – rooted philosopher, wise-cracker and inimitable wearer of rich and variegated Yoruba traditional attires. Like a cat with nine lives, he was tenacious in whatever he believed in and would execute the instructions offered by his sound mind, without minding whose ox is gored. In retrospective, he was fearless, courageous and always prepared to pick up the gauntlet the way it came up his ways. He was a rare breed. A case study not studied.
MY close affinity with the late and immediate Alaafin of Oyo, His lmperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adéyemí III, remained undoubtedly solid and unbroken till he breathed his last on 2nd April 2022. May his fearless and kind soul continue to rest on peacefully in the pantheon of his forebears. For repetition sake, my relationship with him spanned 20 years of grace, honour and opportunity to know more, learn more, to digest more about what Obaship in Yorubaland means and constitutes.
MY closeness to him extended the more deeply in the year 2005, during the fifth coronation anniversary of His lmperial Majesty, Oba Sunday Oladapo Oyediran – Lagbami Osekun III, the Onpetu of ljeru Kingdom; where l was privilegedly and meritedly chosen to review a classical and historically book, titled: Tòkúlòjé, personally written and produced to mark his reign on the envious throne of his progenitors.
IT was in the course of reviewing the book in question that he discovered my fluency and mastery of Yoruba language, inclination to culture, tradition, poetry and panegyric gift of the garb. There he picked absolute interest in me. As a result, became one of his adorable son and confidant. In fact, l was so closed to him to the extent that my kinsmen had the believe that l actually sojourned with him in a certain spiritual realm. That, to me, was the figment of their own imagination, as Oba Lamidi Adéyemí did not introduce me to any mundane, or spiritual thing of the world. Rather, it was father to son relationship. A remarkable experience.
IN 2011, when l publicly launched a classical Yoruba poetry book, where l captured the history of the late Ìjálá bard philosopher – Chief Ogundare Fóyánmu, titled: Ìjàlá Ògúndáre Fóyánmu – Ìjínlè Ohùn Enu Yoruba; Oba Adéyemí was there for me. Apart from being able to grace the book launch, which took place at 2,500 Auditorium, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, he lovingly and magnanimously assisted me to invite the late business mogul and billionaire, Alhaji Arisekola Alao, likewise traditional kings from Òke – Ògùn and Ogbomoso respectively, to grace and launch the book with fun-fare. It was a year to remember! A memory not to be lost.
LIKE Oliver Twist, as if that was not enough, in 2019, Alaafin Oba Lamidi Adéyemí, still honoured my invitation during the launching of another two of my rich Yoruba inclined books: The 600 Yoruba Proverbs, and Tìmò-tòye – an anthology of Yoruba poems. He came with his retinue of chiefs and the Òyò Mèesì – the kingmakers. He serenaded the auspicious day with me at the Havilla Hall, Ogbomoso where my longstanding friend and father figure, the Juju Maestro King Sunny Ade played for me, bro bono.
TO cap up his love and affection for me, he commissioned my very self and the eminent Professor of lnternational repute, Kólá Owólabí of University of Ibadan fame, to write his biography, titled: Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adéyemí III, His Life, History and Philosophy. The book was launched to mark his 70th birthday anniversary. In essence, the late Alaafin Lamidi Adéyemí was a lover, keeper of resourceful friends and relatives; he knew how to gather knowledge, useful information and materials for his personal and palace use. He was an insightful and prudent king, who prepared and logically determined the outcome of many of his court cases, which eventually, in major occasions, tallied with the pronouncement of the court.
MOREOVER, in his comportment lies his aura. In his movement resides his charisma. Beyond his physical presence lies his outstanding regards for customs and traditions. He was embodiment of culture. He was culture personified. Alaafin
understood the communication messages of varieties of talking drums, maracass and cymbals, equally possessed the intuitive knowledge to decipher the meaning of each percussions admirably.
He knew when to tarry or leave, when to talk tough or not in a favourable and unfavourable occasion, through his sensitive and listening attentive ears, to the rhythm and sound of his accompanied palace drummers. The most captivating of his character was his ability to speak extempore in public gathering, government functionaries, radio or television. His uncompromising stance was another principled that endeared him to many people – high and lowly backgrounds. He dared, without fear or timidity, the successive government of the day whenever he was assured of the tenacity of his arguments, especially with facts, accuracy and would always convincingly arrive at logical conclusion. He didn’t fight a lost battle.
LIKE the revered position of the Old Oyo empire, the status of Alaafin in modern Yoruba history, culture and traditions, has not diminished. It is a position that every successful Alaafin wields in a prodigious manner. The blue-blooded heir to the throne must be well educated as the modern time dictates, brave, bold, assertive, nurtured in history, combat ready, wealthy, sublime and mindedly fertile. The position is not meant for the timid, feeble-minded, naive and one who compromised principles of authority and power.
WHILE l join the people of Yorubaland, Government of Oyo State, Nigeria, Africa and the world at large, to congratulate newly crowned Alaafin: Oba Akeem, l will also like to use this opportunity and this medium to prepare his mind for the challenges ahead and opportunities to take Oyo to the next level. Where Alaafin Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III left it, remained a standard that cannot be negotiated for anything less than moving forward. Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi was able to take up full responsibilities expected of Alaafin as a defender of Yoruba history, preserver of Yoruba language, culture and traditional values; he should be ready to lead and rule as a visionary leader, be fair and magnanimous in his daily administration and dispensation of justice.
THE responsibilities have fallen on Alaafin Owoadé to emulate, embrace and showcase the good attributes of his predecessor. Preferably, device his modus operandi which will surpass yet-to-be obliterated records of Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adéyemí III. There is no doubt about it that the tasks ahead are high, the stake is long and the purpose(s) of his emergence as the crowned 46th Alaafin, would come in series, and sometimes, in surge like storms.
THE appellation cum panegyric of the successive – Ikú – Bàbá – Yèyé; literally means “death personified”. “Omo ikú tí ikú o gbodò pa. Omo árùn ti arun o gbodò gbé dè. Omo àbábá ilé, omo àtìmó òde”. These, in essence, encapsulate the fact that no Alaafin is born to be fearful, afraid of challenges and be confrontational on truth. Honesty and integrity must always be his watchword in his dealings with his subjects, prince and princess, friends, associates, cronies, allies and even the government of the day. The expectations of his people is nothing, but to see him outshine the records of the late Alaafin Adéyemí III, and raises the bar of the Alaafinate to the highest unexpected level.
ALAS! History is a good reckoner of people’s good and shortcomings. Based on this premise, the pace and ace of the crowned Alaafin will forever remain reference materials to determine how fair and good a traditional ruler is justified in his administration, dealings with his community and his people.
THE crowned Alaafin should be magnanimous in victory, and now that he has been officially coronated and fully ascended the throne of his forebears; he should swing into action, find time to take the rough with the smooth and unite his people, who might have parted ways in his bids for the exalted throne. He should, in a jiffy, spread a welcome mat to his co-contenders for the throne and settle differences with them in order to ensure easy, comfortable and smooth administration, as a new and beaded crowned king.
Long live Oyo!
Long live the King!
Long live the Alaafin throne!
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