ALAAFIN SENDS EMISSARY TO BENIN REPUBLIC AHEAD OF OYO EMPIRE DAY
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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has dispatched a special emissary to the Republic of Benin as part of ongoing consultations and mobilisation ahead of the forthcoming Oyo Empire Day celebration.
The three-day mission was undertaken by Prince Sheriff Adebayo-Onisile, a renowned Yoruba historian, and was aimed at promoting consultation, cultural diplomacy, reconciliation and mobilisation for the celebration.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Alaafin’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan, the visit also sought to strengthen the historical and cultural ties between the old Oyo Empire and Yoruba communities in the Republic of Benin.
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The statement said the meetings held during the visit reflected strong goodwill towards the Alaafin and his efforts to promote unity, peace, cultural preservation and stronger relationships among Yoruba communities across national borders.
It added that the visit generated enthusiasm among Yoruba communities in Benin Republic regarding their proposed participation in the Oyo Empire Day celebration, which is being planned as a festival of unity and a commemoration of the rich heritage and glory of Yoruba civilisation.
The statement said, “The mission therefore represents another step towards strengthening the bonds between the Alaafin’s palace, Yoruba traditional institutions and Yoruba communities throughout the Republic and the wider Yoruba cultural sphere.”
Among the places visited by Adebayo-Onisile was Igolo, where he was received by the Aladjache of Adjache-Ile, Porto-Novo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rafiu Adesakin.
He also met with Prince Sanni Onikoyi, a retired principal lecturer at the Nigeria-French Village, Badagry; Prince Felix Agboluaje, the Olori Ebi of the Agboluaje family of Ifonyin; and other officials of the Adjache Palace.
At a meeting with Yoruba elders, politicians, socio-cultural association leaders and traders in Porto-Novo, held at the palace of the Aladjache, Adebayo-Onisile emphasised the importance of preserving ancestral connections and cultural identity.
He noted that although modern life, mobility and technology could fragment family ties, deliberate efforts to preserve ancestral connections could help restore a sense of belonging and continuity.
The meeting addressed several issues, including the unity of Yoruba people in Porto-Novo, preservation and promotion of Yoruba culture, the historical relationship between Dahomey and the old Oyo Empire, the proposed visit of the Alaafin to the Republic of Benin and preparations for the Oyo Empire Day celebration.
The Alaafin’s emissary also met with the Minister for Secondary Education and Bashorun of Pobeland in Plateau Province, Chief Clement Kouchade, at his office in the Federal Secretariat in Cotonou.
Discussions centred on Oyo heritage in the Republic of Benin, the historical and cultural ties between Yoruba communities and Oyo, as well as concerns raised by the Alaafin over the unity and peaceful coexistence of Yoruba people in Benin.
Kouchade welcomed the visit and conveyed his greetings to the Alaafin, whom he described as the “titan of Yorubaland.” He also commended the monarch’s efforts to promote unity, mutual understanding and cultural interaction among Yoruba and other ethnic communities in the Republic.
The minister said the government and people of Benin looked forward to receiving the Alaafin in the country.
Similarly, a meeting was held with leaders of Ẹgbẹ Isokan Ọmọ Yoruba in Benin, alongside representatives of the Agboluaje and Onikoyi families.
Among the Yoruba personalities who attended were High Chief Sobaloju of Àjàṣẹ; El-Hadji Ehysse Mahmoud; Alhaja Latifah Aduke, popularly known as Queen Latifah and President of Káàarọ-Ójiire Cultural Organisation in Benin; Hon. Wahabi Amadani, Officer in Charge of Socio-Cultural Cooperation between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin; and Prof. Taofiki Agboluaje, a retired Professor of Chemistry and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abomey-Calavi.
Others included Monsieur Bashir Gbadamosi Agboluaje, Dr Chakirou Paraizo Agboluaje, a retired medical doctor and Head of the Agboluaje Dynasty in the Republic of Benin, Salako Rasaki, Yunousa Oranyan and Prince Felix Agboluaje, among others.
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