The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi
Adeyemi III, has described the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, as a
personality that is fond of distorting history.
Alaafin spoke in Oyo during the
special birthday lecture entitled, ‘Reviving Old Oyo customs and tradition,’
organised in his honour by the City
People magazine
on Saturday.
He said, “Anybody who does not know
his ancestral roots, who did not strive to learn about it, and does not learn
from those who know, will continue to make mistakes and flounder in ignorance.
That is part of Ooni’s inadequacies.”
The two leading Yoruba monarchs have
been trading words over the celebration of Oranyan festival.
The Ooni had during the centenary
celebration of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in Lagos, said the Alaafin was
not one of the sons of Oduduwa, and so was not qualified to celebrate the
Oranyan Festival.
But Alaafin on Saturday said he
decided not to engage in altercations with the Ooni following the intervention
of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Obasanjo, it was gathered, had
summoned Alaafin, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona; and the Ooni to
a meeting to settle the quarrel.
Alaafin added, “Where is the origin
of Yoruba Language? Which language was used in writing the Bible? It is Oyo
Language. Why not Ife Language? Where else are they speaking Ife Language apart
from Lagere quarters? Why are the Modakeke people, who are living behind Ife
not speaking Ife Language?”
Alaafin said the Ooni had not been
able to answer questions that he raised, saying, “instead, he (Ooni) came with
books that could fill three baskets.”
He added, “In 2009, Ooni had
rubbished the institution of Alaafin, but a year after when he was celebrating
his birthday, he said Oranyan was his father’s ancestor. How could you have
denigrated your ancestors and later claim that you are a son of the Alaafin.
“When we wanted to celebrate Sango,
they said Sango was not Yoruba. Sango studied Quran. He was the one that was
first conferred with the title of ‘Akeugberu.’ He was the first in the art of
adjudicating justly. When he was born, the umbilical cord that joined him with
his mother could not be severed. Because they pulled it and it would not cut,
it became the name ‘Afonja.’ The glory, success and tradition of Yoruba started
from Oyo.”
He said the administration of the
late Chief Bola Ige (SAN), came up with a stamped paper recognising Oranyan as
the head of the princes and princesses in Yorubaland, “and that Oyo town
dominated all other nations, namely, Ife, Ijebu, Egba, Ijesa, Sabe, Owu and so
on.”
The Director, Institute of African
Studies, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Albert, on the occasion, said the
university was proud to be associated with the Alaafin, who turned 74 on
October 15.
He said, “We are proud of you being
our able and reputable patron that epitomises the rich African cultural
heritage and an inspiration to all of us.”