As part of ongoing consultations and mobilisation towards the forthcoming Oyo Empire Day Celebration, a festival of unity and commemoration of the great Yoruba Empire aimed at showcasing the rich heritage and glory of Yoruba civilisation, the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has dispatched his representative, Prince Sheriff Adebayo-Onisile, JP, a renowned Yoruba historian, on a special mission to the Republic of Benin.
According to a release issued by the Alaafin’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the three-day mission provided an important opportunity for consultation, cultural diplomacy, reconciliation and mobilisation ahead of the forthcoming Oyo Empire Day Celebration.
The mission also reinforced the historical and cultural connections between the Oyo Empire and Yoruba communities in the Republic of Benin.
The various meetings held during the visit demonstrated considerable goodwill towards the Alaafin and his initiative to promote unity, peace, cultural preservation and stronger relationships among Yoruba communities across national boundaries.
The visit further generated enthusiasm for the proposed participation of Yoruba communities in the Republic of Benin in the Oyo Empire Day Celebration, which is envisaged as a Festival of Unity and a Celebration of the Glory of Yoruba Civilisation.
The mission therefore represents another step towards strengthening the bonds between the Alaafin’s Palace, Yoruba traditional institutions and Yoruba communities throughout the Republic of Benin and the wider Yoruba cultural sphere.
ENGAGEMENT WITH TRADITIONAL LEADERS IN PORTO-NOVO
Among the places visited by Prince Adebayo-Onisile was Igolo, where he was warmly received by His Royal Majesty, Ọba Dr. Rafiu Atanda Adesakin, the Aladjache of Adjache-Ile (Porto-Novo).
Also present were Dr. Prince Sanni Adeniyi Oníkòyí, a retired Principal Lecturer at the Nigeria-French Village, Badagry; Prince Felix Agboluaje, the Olori Ebi of the Agboluaje Family of Ifonyin; and other aides of the Adjache Palace.
At a well-attended meeting with prominent Yoruba elders, politicians, sociocultural association leaders and traders in Porto-Novo, held at the Palace of the Aladjache (Alajase), Prince Onisile conveyed the Alaafin’s message on the importance of maintaining ancestral connections and strengthening unity among Yoruba communities.
He noted that in modern life, where mobility and technology often fragment family ties, the practice of maintaining ancestral connections can restore a sense of belonging.
He stated that even when families are scattered or histories have been lost, intentional remembrance can help rebuild continuity.
The meeting focused on a number of important issues, including the challenges and concerns surrounding the unity of the Yoruba people in Porto-Novo; the preservation and promotion of Yoruba culture; the historical relationship between Dahomey and the Old Oyo Empire; the planned visit of the Alaafin to the Republic of Benin; and preparations for the forthcoming Oyo Empire Day Celebration.
MEETING WITH BENIN REPUBLIC GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL
The Alaafin’s representative also held a meeting with Chief Clement Kouchade, Minister for Secondary Education and Bashorun of Pobeland in the Plateau Province.
The meeting, which took place at his office at the seat of government, the Federal Secretariat in Cotonou, centred on issues relating to Oyo heritage in the Republic of Benin, the historical and cultural ties between Yoruba communities and Oyo, as well as the concerns of the Alaafin regarding the unity and peaceful coexistence of all Yoruba people in the Republic of Benin.
Bashorun Clement Kouchade expressed his delight at the visit and conveyed his greetings to the Alaafin, whom he described as the Titan of Yorubaland.
He commended the Alaafin’s efforts and fatherly intervention towards promoting unity, mutual understanding and cultural interaction among the Yoruba and other ethnic communities in the Republic of Benin.
The Minister further stated that the Government and people of the Republic of Benin look forward to receiving the Alaafin in their country.
ALAAFIN ENGAGES ẸGBẸ ISOKAN ỌMỌ YORUBA
In the same vein, a crucial meeting was held with leaders of Ẹgbẹ Isokan Ọmọ Yoruba in the Republic of Benin, alongside representatives of the Agboluaje and Oníkòyí families.
Among the notable Yoruba personalities present were High Chief Sobaloju of Àjàṣẹ; El-Hadji Chief Ehysse Mahmoud; Alhaja Latifah Aduke, popularly known as “Queen Latifah”, President of Káàarọ-Ójiire Cultural Organisation in the Republic of Benin; Hon. Wahabi Amadani, Officer in Charge of Socio-Cultural Cooperation between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin; Professor Aminu Taofiki Agboluaje, retired Professor of Chemistry and former Vice-Chancellor, University of Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin; Monsieur Bashir Gbadamosi Agboluaje; Dr. Chakirou Paraizo Agboluaje, retired Medical Doctor and Head of the Agboluaje Dynasty in the Republic of Benin; Salako Rasaki; Yunousa Oranyan; and Prince Felix Agboluaje, the Olori Ebi of the Agboluaje Dynasty in Ifonyin, among others.
The Oníkòyí family delegation was led by His Royal Majesty, Ọba Rafiu Atanda Adesakin, PhD, the Aladjache of Adjache-Ile (Porto-Novo) and a retired lecturer at the Nigeria-French Village, Badagry.
Other prominent personalities at the meeting included Pa Oniloudé Éégoubiyi Macaire, a prominent indigene of Ketou, former Governor of Ouémé and Plateau Provinces of the Republic of Benin, and currently Secretary-General of Ẹgbẹ Isokan Ọmọ Yoruba; Prof. Oyedekpo Mouftaou Laleye, former Ambassador of the Republic of Benin to Nigeria and a prominent indigene of Sabe; and Dr. Chakirou Paraizo Agboluaje, retired surgeon and an elder of the Agboluaje Dynasty worldwide.
Prince Onisile delivered the peace and unity message from the Alaafin and discussed the expected presence and participation of Yoruba communities from the Republic of Benin at the Oyo Empire Day Celebration.
In their separate responses, the leadership of Ẹgbẹ Isokan Ọmọ Yoruba expressed deep appreciation for the fatherly role being played by the Alaafin in promoting peace, reconciliation and unity, particularly among Yoruba communities in Porto-Novo.
The elders pledged to work towards reconciling the various factions among the Yoruba in Porto-Novo and resolving their differences amicably, in the spirit of respect for Iku Baba Yeye, the Alaafin of Oyo.
Ẹgbẹ Isokan Ọmọ Yoruba in the Republic of Benin serves as an umbrella body for indigenous Yoruba sociocultural clubs and organisations in the country.
The organisation is currently preparing for its annual anniversary ceremony, scheduled to take place in November 2026 in Ouidah, the historic city and internationally recognised tourist destination.
HISTORICAL CONNECTIONS: AYOGO-ILE
The last visit of the Alaafin’s representative was to Ayogo-Ile, regarded as an ancient settlement with historical connections to Oyo-Ile.
According to the traditional account presented during the visit of Alayogo and his subjects to the Alaafin, the ancestors of the Alayogo are linked to Ona-Efa, an emissary of the Alaafin who, together with his family, settled in the area on a mission to collect Isakole (tribute) on behalf of the Alaafin approximately four centuries ago.
Alayogo is regarded as the Arole Alaafin in Ayogo-Ile Kingdom.
The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the historical relationship between Ayogo and the Oyo Empire, as well as prospects for strengthening cultural and traditional relations between the community and the Alaafin’s Palace.
STRENGTHENING THE YORUBA CULTURAL SPHERE
The three-day mission to the Republic of Benin underscores the Alaafin’s continuing efforts to strengthen relationships among Yoruba traditional institutions, sociocultural organisations and communities across national boundaries.
Beyond mobilisation for the forthcoming Oyo Empire Day Celebration, the engagement provided a platform for dialogue on cultural preservation, reconciliation, historical consciousness and peaceful coexistence.
The proposed participation of Yoruba communities from the Republic of Benin is expected to further reinforce the Oyo Empire Day Celebration as a platform for celebrating the shared heritage, historical connections and enduring cultural identity of the Yoruba people.
The mission is therefore seen as another step towards deepening the relationship between the Alaafin’s Palace and Yoruba communities across the Republic of Benin, while advancing the broader vision of unity, cultural preservation and the celebration of the glory of Yoruba civilisation.
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