Tag: Alaafin

Monarchs in Ibadanland, traditional stakeholders, Mogajis, Baales and prominent sons and daughters of Ibadanland have tackled Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, for the 48-hour ultimatum to Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, to revoke a traditional chieftaincy title “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” bestowed on an Ibadan-born philanthropist and the Bada Olubadan designate, Engr. Dotun Sanusi.

The stakeholders described the move by Alaafin Owoade as an attack on Ibadanland, saying an attack on Bada Olubadan designate is an attack to the entire ancient city.

 Alaafin Owoade in a statement issued an 48-hour ultimatum to Ooni Ogunwusi to revoke the Okanlomo of Yorubaland bestowed on Dotun Sanusi.

A statement by President of Ibadan Mogaji’s, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori and the Coordinator, Ibadan Compound Peace Initiatives (ICPI), Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade urged Yorubas to call Alaafin Owoade to order, adding that the irrational behavior of the monarch since he has became Alaafin must be checked and not extended to Ibadanland.

They maintained that late Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi was alive when Oba Ogunwusi bestowed Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Sanusi, noting that the late Oba Adeyemi has never for once opposed or gone against Sanusi as the owner of the traditional title.

The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade issuing ultimatum to Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, CFR Ojaja II to revoke Okanlomo of Yorubaland bestow on Engr Chief Dotun Sanusi, an illustrious indigene of Ibadanland.

“Kabiyesi Oonirisa was at Ilaji resorts to unveil the indigenous Social media Website tagged 2GEDA, where he was eulogizing the Bada Olubadan designate, Engr. Chief Dotun Sanusi, the issue of Okanlomo of Yorubaland conferement was not even on the agenda whatsoever, one will be surprised why a traditional ruler in the calibre of Alaafin of Oyo will descend so low? Issuing an ultimatum over a mere bloggers media report.

“We have a lot of respect for Kabiyesi Oonirisa because of his various initiatives, the more reason why we always rally round him. Alaafin Owoade should also come up with a series of ideas and stop being elementary in reasoning 

“Kabiyesi Ooni Adeyeye was born on 17th of October, the same birth date and month with Dotun Sanusi, so, they share same date and month. They use to celebrate their birthday same day.

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“About few years ago, Engr Chief Dotun Sanusi used to lead some stakeholders in Ibadanland to attend Oonis birthday.

“On the 17th Oct, 2020 during his birthday, Ooni also make a surprise visit to Dotun Sanusi at Ilaji resorts here in Ibadan, he (Ooni) then pronounced Dotun Sanusi as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland, years before he became the Mogaji. Engr Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi was already the Otun Apesinola of Ibadanland before this time.

“Iku Baba Yeye, the late Alaafin of Oyo , Oba Dr Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi III JP, CFR, LLD, SAP was alive then and never opposed to Dotun Sanusi as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland, he never said anything against Sanusi. We are now surprise that the current Alaafin is now against Dotun Sanusi as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland.

“Engr Chief Dotun Sanusi and late Oba Adeyemi met several times while alive, one of such events was the 70th birthday of Chief Lekan Alabi in conference centre, University of Ibadan, where they sat together on the same table and had intimate discussions.

“Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Olayiwola Adeyemi even requested that Dotun Sanusi should visited him but that could not hold because of the state of health and eventual demise of late Alaafin Adeyemi.

“Alaafin Adeyemi III  himself also planned to visit Engr Dotun Sanusi for his good work but that wasn’t also held because it coincided with the date the late monarch was honored with honourary Doctorate Degree at Crescent University in Abeokuta, and the monarch later apologized.

“This showed the relationship between the late Alaafin Olayiwola Adeyemi III and Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi. The kind of Alaafin we have now may ended being an embarrassment to entire Yorubaland.

“Oba Owoade has started provoking Ibadan people, he started with the Chairmanship tussle of Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs and lost out woefully, as if that’s not enough. He has started again, attacking a foremost Olubadan Chief, foremost Ibadan philanthropist and a well respected personality in Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria at large.

“An attack on the Bada Olubadan Designate is an attack on Ibadanland, Yorubas should caution him over his irrational and divisive thinking.

“Oba Owoade also insulted the institution of Ooni when Ooni came to Ibadan recently for a program. If he has being misbehaving in Oyo, his irrational way of misbehaving should not spread to Ibadanland.”

…demands revocation in 38 hours

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has cautioned the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, against issuing a 48-hour ultimatum for the revocation of the Okanlomo of Yorubaland chieftaincy title recently conferred on Ibadan-born business mogul, Dotun Sanusi.

In a statement signed by his director of media and publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin described the Ooni’s action as an affront to the revered institution of the Alaafin, noting that only the Alaafin holds the exclusive authority to confer titles covering the entire Yorubaland.

He therefore urged the Ooni to withdraw the ultimatum and refrain from actions capable of stirring unnecessary conflict among Yoruba traditional institutions.

The statement reads in part, “The attention of the Alaafin of Oyo and Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, has been drawn to the purported conferment of chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on a business tycoon, Dotun Sanusi, by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

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“The conferment of chieftaincy title which bothers on Yorubaland by the Ooni of Ife is an affront to the referred institution of the Alaafin who is the Titan of Yorubaland and on who holds exclusive right to confer any chieftaincy title which covers the entire Yorubaland on anyone.

“The Ooni of Ife is behaving as if there is no authority to check and call him to order and because of that “above the law” syndrome of his, he is in the habit of walking on everybody’s back including the apex Court in the country, the Supreme Court, which had ruled on the exclusive preserve of the Alaafin to confer chieftaincy title that covers the entire Yorubaland on anyone.

“The instrument of office presented to Oba Ogunwusi, during his installation, specifically limits his traditional area of authority to Oranmiyan local government which has now been split into three local governments, viz: Ife Central, Ife North and Ife South.

“The dictum that nobody is above the law of the land is now being put to a crucial test and the reality of our time makes it very obligatory for the Alaafin to call the Ooni of Ife to order and demand revocation of the so- called Okanlomo of Yorubaland chieftaincy title conferred on Engineer Dotun Sanusi within 48 hours or face the consequences

“It is a statement of fact that during Alaafin’s unity tour to Yoruba monarchs, he reiterated his message that there could not be development without unity.

“Oba Owoade had told the gathering that: ‘It is the joy of our forefathers for us to be in unity and they did their part in ensuring peace and unity in Yorubaland; we must also strive to achieve this. God Himself is involved in our matter therefore we must always, at all times, be concerned about the peace and unity of Yorubaland. We say we want development, but no meaningful and sustainable development will come without peace and unity.

“But, it seems the Ooni of Ife is misconceiving the Alaafin, Paramount with the heart of gold, and his peace initiative, as as the symbol of his stimulity, hence taking decisions that are not only ultra vires, but derogatory to the Titan of Yorubaland.”

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has commended Governor Seyi Makinde for what he described as his unwavering commitment towards strengthening the security architecture of state, saying his administration’s approach is proactive and people – centred governance.

The monarch made the commendation while receiving members of Oyo State House of Assembly who paid him a courtesy visit during their ongoing oversight function to all local government areas and LCDAs in the dtate. 

Oba Owoade noted that the state security architecture had brought about a significant reduction in crime rates and improved security among residents of the state.

He said: “The provision of security vehicles by the state government and improved collaboration among the security agencies, alongside the strategic deployment of the Amotekun Corps has significantly boosted safety and public confidence across the state.

“The Governor has demonstrated true leadership in addressing security challenges that previously threatened development in our rural areas.” 

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He acknowledged Governor Makinde’s disposition towards government — traditional rulers relationship, describing it as a good vision that will continue to enhance development, peace and order across the state. 

Addressing the lawmakers, Oba Owoade praised them for the oversight functions, particularly visits to local government areas and local council development areas across the state describing the exercise as a way of inclusiveness in government by ensuring the spread of dividends of democracy to the grassroots .

“This is a bold step towards good governance and development. The House of Assembly decision to engage directly with LGAs and LCDAs shows a clear understanding of their responsibility to the people”, the monarch stated.

Appreciating the King, the overall leader of the team, and the Chairman House Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours, Hon. Akintunde Olajide expressed gratitude for the royal support and reaffirmed the Assembly”s dedication to continue to strengthen security in the state through adequate law making and amendments.

“We are glad to be with you. It is the directive of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin that the Committee should visit your Imperial Majesty. We will not relent in making laws that will be of great benefit to the entire citizenry of the state.”

The host Chairman, Hon. Waliu Adetunji appreciated the monarch for his fatherly role and royal blessings, while appreciating the State House of Assembly for enhancing good governance in tandem with Governor Makinde’s administration.