BREAKING: Stop Comparing Who Is Senior Between Alaafin Of Oyo, Ooni Of Ife
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has urged the public and content creators to desist from comparing who among the Yoruba kings, Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife, is the most senior king.
Naija News reports that Chief Adams made the call in an address at the Oke Ibadan Festival 2025, held at the Mapo Hall, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The leader of Oodua Progressive Union Worldwide warned that such a comparison could heat the polity and was unnecessary.
“I have watched with dismay the recent unnecessary comparison being drawn between the Alaafin of Oyo’s stool and that of the Ooni of Ife, with respect to which one is senior to the other by bloggers and some online media platforms.
“Let me reiterate that both traditional stools and the revered royal imperial majesties occupying them are two main prominent Obas in Yorubaland and globally.
“I especially appeal to bloggers across the region and in the country not to publish content that is capable of creating disunity among our traditional rulers and the respected traditional institutions.
“I plead with you all to be measured in your reportage and be cautious in developing content for your various platforms, without heating up the polity,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of the festival, Adams explained that though there were different accounts of the origin of Oke Ibadan, there was a common agreement on who founded the capital city of Oyo State.
“The Oke-Ibadan festival is a yearly celebration that honours the founding of Ibadan, the Aboke and the people of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
“It is a cultural and traditional festival where the Ibadan people pay respect to their ancestors, reiterate their cultural values, and promote unity.
“The name Oke-Ibadan translates to Hill of Ibadan, referring to the original settlement site on a hill where the city was formed in the 18th century. Though there are various accounts of the origin of ‘Oke Ibadan but there is a common agreement with the resolution that Lagelu: Oro Apata-Maja, who was the founder of Ibadan, was the one who established the Oke Ibadan festival.
“The Oke-Ibadan festival serves as a reminder of the historical antecedents of Ibadan people and the legacy of their founders. The festival involves honouring the goddess of the hill and acknowledging the role of the founding fathers of Ibadan.
“Oke Ibadan is a very formidable rock, a highly historical rock to the Ibadan people, and it played a lot of roles when Ibadan was going to different wars in the olden days. Ibadan people refer to the rock as a giver of children, wealth, and so many good things,” he explained.
He urged Oyo state government to ensure that the rock is reflected as one of the rocks with immense tourist potential in Yorubaland, just like Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, Oke Idanre in Ondo, Oke Erinmo in Ilesa, Oke Asabari in Saki, Oke Iyake in Ado-Awaye, Oke Agelu in Oyo State, and many other rocks across the region.
