Iku Baba Yeye: Torrent Of Eulogies For An Iconic Monarch

By Michael Ayotunde

Alaafin of Oyo, within the Yoruba extraction (and beyond) is more of a household name.

From history, the title epitomizes rare traditional splendour and royalty.

Alaafin, which literally means ‘the Owner of a Palace’ in Yoruba dialect, is the title of the emperor or the majesty of the medieval Oyo empire in the present South Western Nigeria. The Alaafin of Oyo in Yoruba mythology and history is said to be one of Oduduwa’s seven grandsons who later became Kings, forming the bedrock of the rejuvenation of Yoruba culture and civilization.

It is on record that the title was retained after the fall of the old Oyo Empire as the official title of the ceremonial ruler of the contemporary natives of Oyo, Nigeria.
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Notable historians confided in this writer that Alaafin remains the political head of the Yoruba people and the only monarch with the pre-requisite power to appoint a chieftain representing the entire Yorubaland. On how authentic is this assertion is a discussion for another day. Examples of such appointments include Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and Iyalode of Yorubaland.

At a time it was least expected, late Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, the Iku Baba Yeye, got the nod to ascend the throne of his forefathers. No doubt, the ascension was keenly contested – in fact, the battle that ensued over his emergence was said to have lasted more than three years. Eventually, he came out victorious and was given staff of office by the then Military Administrator, Colonel Adeyinka Adebayo.

Like the ‘proverbial child’, every where he went, he exuded royal candour, style and elegance; he brought his wealth of experience from the private sector to bear in his capacity to rule over the empire for a period spanning 52 years – and became the first ever Alaafin to have recorded such lengthy reign. Like or hate him, he never looked back since ascending the throne of his forefathers. He followed whatever he believed in with passion and by dint of hard work, he contributed his quota to lifting and promoting the cultural heritage of the Yoruba race.

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He was regarded as the Grand Custodian of Yoruba Culture and Tradition and the Emperor of Yorubas.

Like in every society, the pervading political influence cannot be brushed apart. It is thus a matter of where you belong. Late Oba Olayiwola never hid his preference for whatever is uppermost to him and his subject. He was loved by his people; in fact, it’s on record that he personally financed local vigilante groups to protect farms and villages in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State for nearly a decade.

Moments after his departure at the ripe age of 83, eminent personalities and other top leaders have taken turn to eulogize him, celebrate his lifetime achievement and contributions to humanity.

In the same vein, one of his sons who is also a member of Federal House of Representatives, representing Afijio/Oyo East/ Oyo West/Atiba Federal Constituency, Prince Akeem Adeyemi, was reported to have said his father could had differences with some people based on principle but reconciled with all of them before his death.

The octogenarian has thus done his bit on planet earth, leaving behind litany of legacies – depending on how people see and or dissect them. He was regarded as an extraordinary traditional ruler.

His generosity, according to some residents of Oyo State, knows no bound; some of them noted that his demise has left a vacuum. He is going to be missed – by both indigenes and non-indigenes, particularly those he has impacted positively by his act of benevolence.