THE IMPERIAL PERIOD OF OLD OYO EMPIRE (OYO-ILE) – 1600 TO 1800

Under Alaafin Aole, the empire suffered some strain. The Egbas broke free from the Old Oyo empire (Oyo-Ile) and got their independence in 1796.

The period to 1837 saw the empire’s greatest trials; the loss of the empire, the loss of trade, the coming of the Jihadist Muslims led by Alimi (an Islamic scholar that was embraced and accepted by the then Aare Ona Kakanfo, Afonja, into his ranks), the coming of the white men and the revolution that forces the population to move to the south to originate Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ijaye and Ago-d-Oyo.
 At the height of the empire. The provinces, though fluid, were Ekun Osi, the metropolis and the area around. The Ekun Otun the Western side of the river Ogun: Ibolo areas and Epo, Egbado, Yewa, parts of Dahomey and Southern Nupe.

REASONS FOR THE SUCCESS OF OYO EMPIRE:

-A good constitution, buoyed by the Alaafin, Oyo Mesi, the Aare Ona Kakanfo and provincial kings.
 -Control of Calvary, trade routes and successful Agriculture.
 -Contacts with the Northern neighbours and the ports on the south.
-There was peace and good government, Islam has crept into the country from the time of Oyo Igboho and in Oyo-Ile, the trend has escalated with the Afonja’s intransigence and Ilorin’s invitation to Sheik Al. Salih. Oyo sit, too was basically converted to Islam.

The fall of the empire in the first half of the nineteenth century was as a result of interplay of social forces that zeroed in on it. The wars were Pamo, Mugba, Kania, Abodo and Elewure. The best men from Saki, Ede, Ogbomoso, Ibadan and Ikoyi were involved in the great exploits.
 The Egbas moved from Ibadan area to Abeokuta. Epo Region of Akeetan, Iseke, Apaara, Aguo, Idode, Ojongbodu were bursting at the seams from the population from the north and were eventually transferred by Atiba to populate Ago-d-Oyo.

Afonja of Ilorin, the 6th Aare Ona Kakanfo (Yoruba Generallisimo) allowed the foothold of the Jihadist and made the sacking of Oyo-Ile irreversible, but he lost his hegemony to the Fulani of Ilorin and even till date.

The British explorers visited Oyo-Ile in 1821 and Oluewu fell in Eleduwe war in 1837. Oyo city thereby dissolved and re-arranged in the South near Ibadan and Ijaye in 1839.

ALAAFIN ATIBA ATOBATELE

Oba Atiba, the son of Abiodun was the greatest human and political factor in the period of new Oyo. His son, Adelu and Adeyemi reigned after him.

Alaafin Atiba Atobatele‎ moved the capital from Oyo to Ago Oja(present Oyo). During his reign, the remnant of the Yoruba army moved South and camped in an area that belonged to the Egba of Gbagura clan. The war camp later became the city of Ibadan and it emerged as the new power centre in Yorubaland.

Alaafin Atiba sought to preserve what remained of Oyo Empire by placing on Ibadan duty of protecting the capital from the Ilorin in the north.

Atiba was a great leader but he came at a time of crises. Yoruba had lost Igbomina. Ijesha, Ekiti and Akoko at this time were under threat. The entire Yoruba land was under Ilorin-Fulani siege. Ibadan would not allow the onslaught to continue, by 1840, Ibadan soldiers defeated and pushed Fulani warriors back to Ilọrin but could not take the city.

The Osogbo war of 1840 had put a stop to the South-Ward advancement of the Jihadists and this with the coming of Christian Missionaries of the Anglicans, the Methodist and the Baptist benefitted the town including the other Yoruba towns.

Atiba enlarged Oyo, enlisted the new energies of Ibadan and Ijaye, thus bracing up bravely the Oyo Monarchy despite the fall of Old Oyo Empire. He died in 1859. He tried to restore Oyo’s glory, but the decline was bound to happen as all the tribes were fighting one another.

The pacification on Captain Bower from 1893, the Kiriji wars and the rise of Ibadan, the liquidation of Ijaye between 1861 - 1863 involved in great wars and great men like Adeyemi 1, Oluyole, Ibikunle, Ogunmola, Kurunmi Ajadi, Toyeje Akanni (Alebiosu) of Ogbomoso, Bamigboye of Ede, and Aare Latosa.

ALAAFIN ADELU AGUNLOYE

Alaafin Adelu Agunloye was Atiba’s son. He became king in 1859. The Ijaye war was fought during his period. Kurunmi, the Are Ona Kankafo, who was the ruler of Ijaiye refused to recognize Adelu as the Alaafin. The war started with Ijaiye declaring war on Oyo in 1860.

The Ibadan war machine under Ogunmọla came in support of Ọyọ, routed Kurunmi-Ijaiye/Egba alliance and killed all his sons. Kurunmi committed suicide and Ijaiye was destroyed. The Ijaiye war was one of the several wars Ibadan engaged in to assert supremacy in Yorubaland.

In 1857, Britain abolish slavery. In the year 1864, Alaafin Adelu Agunloye stopped Batedo War in the name of Sango between Ijebu and the Egbas.

ALAAFIN ALOWOLODU ADEYEMI I

Alaafin Adeyemi I ruled from 1876 to 1905. After the emergence of Ibadan, the Fulani ceased to be a threat to Yoruba but bitter civil war among the tribes made peace impossible. Between 1860 and 1885 Ibadan engaged in five different wars simultaneously.

In 1877, Ibadan went to war against Ẹgba/Ijẹbu for attacking Ibadan traders, when coming from Port-Novo. The Ijẹṣa/Ekiti seized the moment, in 1878, attacked despotic Ibadan Ajẹlẹs (viceroys) in their territories; Ibadan declared war on Ijẹṣa and Ekiti.

The conflict between Ibadan/Ijẹṣa & Ekiti went on for sixteen years, the worst war in Yorubaland. Ogedengbe-the Seriki of Ijẹṣa army, Fabunmi of Oke-Imesi, and Aduloju of Ado-Ekiti held Ibadan down as Ibadan engaged in other wars with the Ẹgba, Ijẹbu, Ilọrin and the Ifẹ.

The Ibadan/Ijesa & Ekiti parapọ war got to its peak at Kiriji, near Ikirun. The Egba were also being attacked by Dahomey. The Alaafin was helpless as his people decimated themselves. He therefore invited the British colonial Governor of Lagos to help settled the dispute.

Through negotiations undertaken by the Church, which was spearheaded by Samuel Johnson, Charles Phillips, and Lagos Governor Maloney in 1886, peace gradually returned to Yorubaland as the warring groups sheathed their swords.

The entire Yorubaland later came under the dominion of the British and the Alaafin became a Vassal of the colonial government. In 1888, Oyo became a protectorate of Great Britain.

Alaafin Agogo Ija Amubieya Lawani became Alaafin after Alaafin Adeyemi I. He was a vassal of the British empire. He reigned from 1905 to 1911.

Alaafin Ladigbolu I became king after Lawani. He ruled from 1911 to 1944. He was also a vassal king. The amalgamation of Nigeria happened during his time. Frederick Lugard united north and south as a single colony called Protectorate of Nigeria. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River . Given by Flora Shaw who later married Lugard.

ALAAFIN ADENIRAN ADEYEMI II

Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, was Alaafin of Oyo, between 1945 and 1954, until he was forced into exile by the Action Group led government of the Western region, as a result of the death of the Deputy leader of the Action Group, Chief Bode Thomas and also for having sympathy, for the rival NCNC of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Chief Bode Thomas (1918-1953) became the deputy leader of the Action Group, he later formed Nigeria’s first indigenous law firm called- Thomas, Willams, Kayode and co. i.e. the trio of Bode Thomas, Chief Rotimi Williams and Chief Remilekun Fani Kayode.

Bode was a brilliant lawyer, but also very haughty and arrogant. He was made the Divisional Council Chairman in 1953, while the Alaafin of Oyo was a mere member.

On his first appearance in council, after being appointed chairman, all the council members stood up for him in deference, to welcome him except Oba Adeyemi II, who for cultural reasons, could not show deference to anyone in public. Bode Thomas rudely shouted at the king, for having the temerity and audacity to disrespect him.

“Why are you sitting when I walked in, you don’t know how to show respect?”At that time, Bode Thomas was 35 years old and Oba Adeniran was in his 60’s.

The Alaafin felt very insulted and nonplussed; he said “se emi lon gbomo baun?” (Is it me you are barking at like that?). Oba Adeniran just told him “Ma gbo lo baun” (continue barking). Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, was father of the incumbent Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.

The confrontation happened on November 22nd 1953. Bode Thomas got home and started barking! He barked and barked like a dog all night until he died in the early morning of November 23rd 1953. He cut short his promising career.

Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, was thereafter deposed and sent on exile in 1954 for sympathizing with opposition NCNC, because he had come in conflict with Bode Thomas who was Deputy Leader of the Action Group, before his untimely death. In fact at a session in the parliament, Sardauna Ahmadu Bello had described Thomas as “Arrogant and ungracious”.

Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, was sent on exile to Ilesha and later relocated to Egerton Street on Lagos Island where he lived and died in 1960. His death truncated the ambition of Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, to proceed to the United Kingdom to study law.

He later became an Insurance Executive with the Royal Exchange Assurance, where he worked until he ascended the throne of his forefathers, as the Alaafin of Oyo in 1971.

ALAAFIN LADIGBOLU II

Alaafin Ladigbolu II (1956-1968) was the Alaafin when Nigeria gained independence. Alaafin Ladigbolu II succeeded Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II who was exiled. He died in 1968 and was succeeded by Alaafin Adeyemi III.

From years 1900s, modern government has taken root, Captain Ross nurtured its growth.

ALAAFIN ADEYEMI III

In 1971 Alaafin Adeyemi III became king. He succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II during the governorship of Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, after the end of the Nigerian Civil War. In 1975, the Head-of-State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed included Oba Adeyemi in his entourage for the hajj.

He was chancellor of Uthman dan Fodiyo University in Sokoto from 1980 to 1992. In 1990 President Ibrahim Babangida appointed him Amir-ul-Hajj in recognition of his commitment to the consolidation of Islam in Nigeria.

Alaafin Adeyemi is a lover of boxing, as he was a boxer before becoming Alaafin. He remains the only educated Alaafin till date.

Oyo city today is the centre of a flourishing civilization from its inception under the children of Atiba, Adelu, Adeyemi I, Agogo Ija, Ladigbolu I, Adeyemi II, Ladigbolu II and Adeyemi III.

Great economic strides, two universities, several tertiary institutions, health and industrial facilities adorn the town in its march to a greater height.

The new express road is a marvel, and Oba Adeyemi III, C.F.R., J.P, LL.D, S.A.P), has assumed the legend of his ancestors with a perfect grasp of the perplexed maze of political, monarchical and economic vicissitudes of the age; an enigma and incarnation of the wholesome attitude of Oluaso.

LONG MAY HE CONTINUE TO REIGN!

Allowing for historical telescoping of areas of events forgotten or badly remembered, bards could trim the issues to ensure intelligent presentation.

THANK YOU!

(The Woven Words)THE IMPERIAL PERIOD OF OLD OYO EMPIRE (OYO-ILE) – 1600 TO 1800

Under Alaafin Aole, the empire suffered some strain. The Egbas broke free from the Old Oyo empire (Oyo-Ile) and got their independence in 1796.

The period to 1837 saw the empire’s greatest trials; the loss of the empire, the loss of trade, the coming of the Jihadist Muslims led by Alimi (an Islamic scholar that was embraced and accepted by the then Aare Ona Kakanfo, Afonja, into his ranks), the coming of the white men and the revolution that forces the population to move to the south to originate Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ijaye and Ago-d-Oyo.
 At the height of the empire. The provinces, though fluid, were Ekun Osi, the metropolis and the area around. The Ekun Otun the Western side of the river Ogun: Ibolo areas and Epo, Egbado, Yewa, parts of Dahomey and Southern Nupe.

REASONS FOR THE SUCCESS OF OYO EMPIRE:

-A good constitution, buoyed by the Alaafin, Oyo Mesi, the Aare Ona Kakanfo and provincial kings.
 -Control of Calvary, trade routes and successful Agriculture.
 -Contacts with the Northern neighbours and the ports on the south.
-There was peace and good government, Islam has crept into the country from the time of Oyo Igboho and in Oyo-Ile, the trend has escalated with the Afonja’s intransigence and Ilorin’s invitation to Sheik Al. Salih. Oyo sit, too was basically converted to Islam.

The fall of the empire in the first half of the nineteenth century was as a result of interplay of social forces that zeroed in on it. The wars were Pamo, Mugba, Kania, Abodo and Elewure. The best men from Saki, Ede, Ogbomoso, Ibadan and Ikoyi were involved in the great exploits.
 The Egbas moved from Ibadan area to Abeokuta. Epo Region of Akeetan, Iseke, Apaara, Aguo, Idode, Ojongbodu were bursting at the seams from the population from the north and were eventually transferred by Atiba to populate Ago-d-Oyo.

Afonja of Ilorin, the 6th Aare Ona Kakanfo (Yoruba Generallisimo) allowed the foothold of the Jihadist and made the sacking of Oyo-Ile irreversible, but he lost his hegemony to the Fulani of Ilorin and even till date.

The British explorers visited Oyo-Ile in 1821 and Oluewu fell in Eleduwe war in 1837. Oyo city thereby dissolved and re-arranged in the South near Ibadan and Ijaye in 1839.

ALAAFIN ATIBA ATOBATELE

Oba Atiba, the son of Abiodun was the greatest human and political factor in the period of new Oyo. His son, Adelu and Adeyemi reigned after him.

Alaafin Atiba Atobatele‎ moved the capital from Oyo to Ago Oja(present Oyo). During his reign, the remnant of the Yoruba army moved South and camped in an area that belonged to the Egba of Gbagura clan. The war camp later became the city of Ibadan and it emerged as the new power centre in Yorubaland.

Alaafin Atiba sought to preserve what remained of Oyo Empire by placing on Ibadan duty of protecting the capital from the Ilorin in the north.

Atiba was a great leader but he came at a time of crises. Yoruba had lost Igbomina. Ijesha, Ekiti and Akoko at this time were under threat. The entire Yoruba land was under Ilorin-Fulani siege. Ibadan would not allow the onslaught to continue, by 1840, Ibadan soldiers defeated and pushed Fulani warriors back to Ilọrin but could not take the city.

The Osogbo war of 1840 had put a stop to the South-Ward advancement of the Jihadists and this with the coming of Christian Missionaries of the Anglicans, the Methodist and the Baptist benefitted the town including the other Yoruba towns.

Atiba enlarged Oyo, enlisted the new energies of Ibadan and Ijaye, thus bracing up bravely the Oyo Monarchy despite the fall of Old Oyo Empire. He died in 1859. He tried to restore Oyo’s glory, but the decline was bound to happen as all the tribes were fighting one another.

The pacification on Captain Bower from 1893, the Kiriji wars and the rise of Ibadan, the liquidation of Ijaye between 1861 - 1863 involved in great wars and great men like Adeyemi 1, Oluyole, Ibikunle, Ogunmola, Kurunmi Ajadi, Toyeje Akanni (Alebiosu) of Ogbomoso, Bamigboye of Ede, and Aare Latosa.

ALAAFIN ADELU AGUNLOYE

Alaafin Adelu Agunloye was Atiba’s son. He became king in 1859. The Ijaye war was fought during his period. Kurunmi, the Are Ona Kankafo, who was the ruler of Ijaiye refused to recognize Adelu as the Alaafin. The war started with Ijaiye declaring war on Oyo in 1860.

The Ibadan war machine under Ogunmọla came in support of Ọyọ, routed Kurunmi-Ijaiye/Egba alliance and killed all his sons. Kurunmi committed suicide and Ijaiye was destroyed. The Ijaiye war was one of the several wars Ibadan engaged in to assert supremacy in Yorubaland.

In 1857, Britain abolish slavery. In the year 1864, Alaafin Adelu Agunloye stopped Batedo War in the name of Sango between Ijebu and the Egbas.

ALAAFIN ALOWOLODU ADEYEMI I

Alaafin Adeyemi I ruled from 1876 to 1905. After the emergence of Ibadan, the Fulani ceased to be a threat to Yoruba but bitter civil war among the tribes made peace impossible. Between 1860 and 1885 Ibadan engaged in five different wars simultaneously.

In 1877, Ibadan went to war against Ẹgba/Ijẹbu for attacking Ibadan traders, when coming from Port-Novo. The Ijẹṣa/Ekiti seized the moment, in 1878, attacked despotic Ibadan Ajẹlẹs (viceroys) in their territories; Ibadan declared war on Ijẹṣa and Ekiti.

The conflict between Ibadan/Ijẹṣa & Ekiti went on for sixteen years, the worst war in Yorubaland. Ogedengbe-the Seriki of Ijẹṣa army, Fabunmi of Oke-Imesi, and Aduloju of Ado-Ekiti held Ibadan down as Ibadan engaged in other wars with the Ẹgba, Ijẹbu, Ilọrin and the Ifẹ.

The Ibadan/Ijesa & Ekiti parapọ war got to its peak at Kiriji, near Ikirun. The Egba were also being attacked by Dahomey. The Alaafin was helpless as his people decimated themselves. He therefore invited the British colonial Governor of Lagos to help settled the dispute.

Through negotiations undertaken by the Church, which was spearheaded by Samuel Johnson, Charles Phillips, and Lagos Governor Maloney in 1886, peace gradually returned to Yorubaland as the warring groups sheathed their swords.

The entire Yorubaland later came under the dominion of the British and the Alaafin became a Vassal of the colonial government. In 1888, Oyo became a protectorate of Great Britain.

Alaafin Agogo Ija Amubieya Lawani became Alaafin after Alaafin Adeyemi I. He was a vassal of the British empire. He reigned from 1905 to 1911.

Alaafin Ladigbolu I became king after Lawani. He ruled from 1911 to 1944. He was also a vassal king. The amalgamation of Nigeria happened during his time. Frederick Lugard united north and south as a single colony called Protectorate of Nigeria. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River . Given by Flora Shaw who later married Lugard.

ALAAFIN ADENIRAN ADEYEMI II

Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, was Alaafin of Oyo, between 1945 and 1954, until he was forced into exile by the Action Group led government of the Western region, as a result of the death of the Deputy leader of the Action Group, Chief Bode Thomas and also for having sympathy, for the rival NCNC of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Chief Bode Thomas (1918-1953) became the deputy leader of the Action Group, he later formed Nigeria’s first indigenous law firm called- Thomas, Willams, Kayode and co. i.e. the trio of Bode Thomas, Chief Rotimi Williams and Chief Remilekun Fani Kayode.

Bode was a brilliant lawyer, but also very haughty and arrogant. He was made the Divisional Council Chairman in 1953, while the Alaafin of Oyo was a mere member.

On his first appearance in council, after being appointed chairman, all the council members stood up for him in deference, to welcome him except Oba Adeyemi II, who for cultural reasons, could not show deference to anyone in public. Bode Thomas rudely shouted at the king, for having the temerity and audacity to disrespect him.

“Why are you sitting when I walked in, you don’t know how to show respect?”At that time, Bode Thomas was 35 years old and Oba Adeniran was in his 60’s.

The Alaafin felt very insulted and nonplussed; he said “se emi lon gbomo baun?” (Is it me you are barking at like that?). Oba Adeniran just told him “Ma gbo lo baun” (continue barking). Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, was father of the incumbent Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.

The confrontation happened on November 22nd 1953. Bode Thomas got home and started barking! He barked and barked like a dog all night until he died in the early morning of November 23rd 1953. He cut short his promising career.

Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, was thereafter deposed and sent on exile in 1954 for sympathizing with opposition NCNC, because he had come in conflict with Bode Thomas who was Deputy Leader of the Action Group, before his untimely death. In fact at a session in the parliament, Sardauna Ahmadu Bello had described Thomas as “Arrogant and ungracious”.

Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, was sent on exile to Ilesha and later relocated to Egerton Street on Lagos Island where he lived and died in 1960. His death truncated the ambition of Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, to proceed to the United Kingdom to study law.

He later became an Insurance Executive with the Royal Exchange Assurance, where he worked until he ascended the throne of his forefathers, as the Alaafin of Oyo in 1971.

ALAAFIN LADIGBOLU II

Alaafin Ladigbolu II (1956-1968) was the Alaafin when Nigeria gained independence. Alaafin Ladigbolu II succeeded Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II who was exiled. He died in 1968 and was succeeded by Alaafin Adeyemi III.

From years 1900s, modern government has taken root, Captain Ross nurtured its growth.

ALAAFIN ADEYEMI III

In 1971 Alaafin Adeyemi III became king. He succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II during the governorship of Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, after the end of the Nigerian Civil War. In 1975, the Head-of-State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed included Oba Adeyemi in his entourage for the hajj.

He was chancellor of Uthman dan Fodiyo University in Sokoto from 1980 to 1992. In 1990 President Ibrahim Babangida appointed him Amir-ul-Hajj in recognition of his commitment to the consolidation of Islam in Nigeria.

Alaafin Adeyemi is a lover of boxing, as he was a boxer before becoming Alaafin. He remains the only educated Alaafin till date.

Oyo city today is the centre of a flourishing civilization from its inception under the children of Atiba, Adelu, Adeyemi I, Agogo Ija, Ladigbolu I, Adeyemi II, Ladigbolu II and Adeyemi III.

Great economic strides, two universities, several tertiary institutions, health and industrial facilities adorn the town in its march to a greater height.

The new express road is a marvel, and Oba Adeyemi III, C.F.R., J.P, LL.D, S.A.P), has assumed the legend of his ancestors with a perfect grasp of the perplexed maze of political, monarchical and economic vicissitudes of the age; an enigma and incarnation of the wholesome attitude of Oluaso.

LONG MAY HE CONTINUE TO REIGN!

Allowing for historical telescoping of areas of events forgotten or badly remembered, bards could trim the issues to ensure intelligent presentation.

THANK YOU!

(The Woven Words)THE IMPERIAL PERIOD OF OLD OYO EMPIRE (OYO-ILE) – 1600 TO 1800

Under Alaafin Aole, the empire suffered some strain. The Egbas broke free from the Old Oyo empire (Oyo-Ile) and got their independence in 1796.

The period to 1837 saw the empire’s greatest trials; the loss of the empire, the loss of trade, the coming of the Jihadist Muslims led by Alimi (an Islamic scholar that was embraced and accepted by the then Aare Ona Kakanfo, Afonja, into his ranks), the coming of the white men and the revolution that forces the population to move to the south to originate Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ijaye and Ago-d-Oyo.
 At the height of the empire. The provinces, though fluid, were Ekun Osi, the metropolis and the area around. The Ekun Otun the Western side of the river Ogun: Ibolo areas and Epo, Egbado, Yewa, parts of Dahomey and Southern Nupe.

REASONS FOR THE SUCCESS OF OYO EMPIRE:

-A good constitution, buoyed by the Alaafin, Oyo Mesi, the Aare Ona Kakanfo and provincial kings.
 -Control of Calvary, trade routes and successful Agriculture.
 -Contacts with the Northern neighbours and the ports on the south.
-There was peace and good government, Islam has crept into the country from the time of Oyo Igboho and in Oyo-Ile, the trend has escalated with the Afonja’s intransigence and Ilorin’s invitation to Sheik Al. Salih. Oyo sit, too was basically converted to Islam.

The fall of the empire in the first half of the nineteenth century was as a result of interplay of social forces that zeroed in on it. The wars were Pamo, Mugba, Kania, Abodo and Elewure. The best men from Saki, Ede, Ogbomoso, Ibadan and Ikoyi were involved in the great exploits.
 The Egbas moved from Ibadan area to Abeokuta. Epo Region of Akeetan, Iseke, Apaara, Aguo, Idode, Ojongbodu were bursting at the seams from the population from the north and were eventually transferred by Atiba to populate Ago-d-Oyo.

Afonja of Ilorin, the 6th Aare Ona Kakanfo (Yoruba Generallisimo) allowed the foothold of the Jihadist and made the sacking of Oyo-Ile irreversible, but he lost his hegemony to the Fulani of Ilorin and even till date.

The British explorers visited Oyo-Ile in 1821 and Oluewu fell in Eleduwe war in 1837. Oyo city thereby dissolved and re-arranged in the South near Ibadan and Ijaye in 1839.

ALAAFIN ATIBA ATOBATELE

Oba Atiba, the son of Abiodun was the greatest human and political factor in the period of new Oyo. His son, Adelu and Adeyemi reigned after him.

Alaafin Atiba Atobatele‎ moved the capital from Oyo to Ago Oja(present Oyo). During his reign, the remnant of the Yoruba army moved South and camped in an area that belonged to the Egba of Gbagura clan. The war camp later became the city of Ibadan and it emerged as the new power centre in Yorubaland.

Alaafin Atiba sought to preserve what remained of Oyo Empire by placing on Ibadan duty of protecting the capital from the Ilorin in the north.

Atiba was a great leader but he came at a time of crises. Yoruba had lost Igbomina. Ijesha, Ekiti and Akoko at this time were under threat. The entire Yoruba land was under Ilorin-Fulani siege. Ibadan would not allow the onslaught to continue, by 1840, Ibadan soldiers defeated and pushed Fulani warriors back to Ilọrin but could not take the city.

The Osogbo war of 1840 had put a stop to the South-Ward advancement of the Jihadists and this with the coming of Christian Missionaries of the Anglicans, the Methodist and the Baptist benefitted the town including the other Yoruba towns.

Atiba enlarged Oyo, enlisted the new energies of Ibadan and Ijaye, thus bracing up bravely the Oyo Monarchy despite the fall of Old Oyo Empire. He died in 1859. He tried to restore Oyo’s glory, but the decline was bound to happen as all the tribes were fighting one another.

The pacification on Captain Bower from 1893, the Kiriji wars and the rise of Ibadan, the liquidation of Ijaye between 1861 - 1863 involved in great wars and great men like Adeyemi 1, Oluyole, Ibikunle, Ogunmola, Kurunmi Ajadi, Toyeje Akanni (Alebiosu) of Ogbomoso, Bamigboye of Ede, and Aare Latosa.

ALAAFIN ADELU AGUNLOYE

Alaafin Adelu Agunloye was Atiba’s son. He became king in 1859. The Ijaye war was fought during his period. Kurunmi, the Are Ona Kankafo, who was the ruler of Ijaiye refused to recognize Adelu as the Alaafin. The war started with Ijaiye declaring war on Oyo in 1860.

The Ibadan war machine under Ogunmọla came in support of Ọyọ, routed Kurunmi-Ijaiye/Egba alliance and killed all his sons. Kurunmi committed suicide and Ijaiye was destroyed. The Ijaiye war was one of the several wars Ibadan engaged in to assert supremacy in Yorubaland.

In 1857, Britain abolish slavery. In the year 1864, Alaafin Adelu Agunloye stopped Batedo War in the name of Sango between Ijebu and the Egbas.

ALAAFIN ALOWOLODU ADEYEMI I

Alaafin Adeyemi I ruled from 1876 to 1905. After the emergence of Ibadan, the Fulani ceased to be a threat to Yoruba but bitter civil war among the tribes made peace impossible. Between 1860 and 1885 Ibadan engaged in five different wars simultaneously.

In 1877, Ibadan went to war against Ẹgba/Ijẹbu for attacking Ibadan traders, when coming from Port-Novo. The Ijẹṣa/Ekiti seized the moment, in 1878, attacked despotic Ibadan Ajẹlẹs (viceroys) in their territories; Ibadan declared war on Ijẹṣa and Ekiti.

The conflict between Ibadan/Ijẹṣa & Ekiti went on for sixteen years, the worst war in Yorubaland. Ogedengbe-the Seriki of Ijẹṣa army, Fabunmi of Oke-Imesi, and Aduloju of Ado-Ekiti held Ibadan down as Ibadan engaged in other wars with the Ẹgba, Ijẹbu, Ilọrin and the Ifẹ.

The Ibadan/Ijesa & Ekiti parapọ war got to its peak at Kiriji, near Ikirun. The Egba were also being attacked by Dahomey. The Alaafin was helpless as his people decimated themselves. He therefore invited the British colonial Governor of Lagos to help settled the dispute.

Through negotiations undertaken by the Church, which was spearheaded by Samuel Johnson, Charles Phillips, and Lagos Governor Maloney in 1886, peace gradually returned to Yorubaland as the warring groups sheathed their swords.

The entire Yorubaland later came under the dominion of the British and the Alaafin became a Vassal of the colonial government. In 1888, Oyo became a protectorate of Great Britain.

Alaafin Agogo Ija Amubieya Lawani became Alaafin after Alaafin Adeyemi I. He was a vassal of the British empire. He reigned from 1905 to 1911.

Alaafin Ladigbolu I became king after Lawani. He ruled from 1911 to 1944. He was also a vassal king. The amalgamation of Nigeria happened during his time. Frederick Lugard united north and south as a single colony called Protectorate of Nigeria. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River . Given by Flora Shaw who later married Lugard.

ALAAFIN ADENIRAN ADEYEMI II

Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, was Alaafin of Oyo, between 1945 and 1954, until he was forced into exile by the Action Group led government of the Western region, as a result of the death of the Deputy leader of the Action Group, Chief Bode Thomas and also for having sympathy, for the rival NCNC of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Chief Bode Thomas (1918-1953) became the deputy leader of the Action Group, he later formed Nigeria’s first indigenous law firm called- Thomas, Willams, Kayode and co. i.e. the trio of Bode Thomas, Chief Rotimi Williams and Chief Remilekun Fani Kayode.

Bode was a brilliant lawyer, but also very haughty and arrogant. He was made the Divisional Council Chairman in 1953, while the Alaafin of Oyo was a mere member.

On his first appearance in council, after being appointed chairman, all the council members stood up for him in deference, to welcome him except Oba Adeyemi II, who for cultural reasons, could not show deference to anyone in public. Bode Thomas rudely shouted at the king, for having the temerity and audacity to disrespect him.

“Why are you sitting when I walked in, you don’t know how to show respect?”At that time, Bode Thomas was 35 years old and Oba Adeniran was in his 60’s.

The Alaafin felt very insulted and nonplussed; he said “se emi lon gbomo baun?” (Is it me you are barking at like that?). Oba Adeniran just told him “Ma gbo lo baun” (continue barking). Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, was father of the incumbent Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.

The confrontation happened on November 22nd 1953. Bode Thomas got home and started barking! He barked and barked like a dog all night until he died in the early morning of November 23rd 1953. He cut short his promising career.

Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, was thereafter deposed and sent on exile in 1954 for sympathizing with opposition NCNC, because he had come in conflict with Bode Thomas who was Deputy Leader of the Action Group, before his untimely death. In fact at a session in the parliament, Sardauna Ahmadu Bello had described Thomas as “Arrogant and ungracious”.

Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, was sent on exile to Ilesha and later relocated to Egerton Street on Lagos Island where he lived and died in 1960. His death truncated the ambition of Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, to proceed to the United Kingdom to study law.

He later became an Insurance Executive with the Royal Exchange Assurance, where he worked until he ascended the throne of his forefathers, as the Alaafin of Oyo in 1971.

ALAAFIN LADIGBOLU II

Alaafin Ladigbolu II (1956-1968) was the Alaafin when Nigeria gained independence. Alaafin Ladigbolu II succeeded Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II who was exiled. He died in 1968 and was succeeded by Alaafin Adeyemi III.

From years 1900s, modern government has taken root, Captain Ross nurtured its growth.

ALAAFIN ADEYEMI III

In 1971 Alaafin Adeyemi III became king. He succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II during the governorship of Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, after the end of the Nigerian Civil War. In 1975, the Head-of-State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed included Oba Adeyemi in his entourage for the hajj.

He was chancellor of Uthman dan Fodiyo University in Sokoto from 1980 to 1992. In 1990 President Ibrahim Babangida appointed him Amir-ul-Hajj in recognition of his commitment to the consolidation of Islam in Nigeria.

Alaafin Adeyemi is a lover of boxing, as he was a boxer before becoming Alaafin. He remains the only educated Alaafin till date.

Oyo city today is the centre of a flourishing civilization from its inception under the children of Atiba, Adelu, Adeyemi I, Agogo Ija, Ladigbolu I, Adeyemi II, Ladigbolu II and Adeyemi III.

Great economic strides, two universities, several tertiary institutions, health and industrial facilities adorn the town in its march to a greater height.

The new express road is a marvel, and Oba Adeyemi III, C.F.R., J.P, LL.D, S.A.P), has assumed the legend of his ancestors with a perfect grasp of the perplexed maze of political, monarchical and economic vicissitudes of the age; an enigma and incarnation of the wholesome attitude of Oluaso.

LONG MAY HE CONTINUE TO REIGN!

Allowing for historical telescoping of areas of events forgotten or badly remembered, bards could trim the issues to ensure intelligent presentation.

THANK YOU!

(The Woven Words)THE IMPERIAL PERIOD OF OLD OYO EMPIRE (OYO-ILE) – 1600 TO 1800

Under Alaafin Aole, the empire suffered some strain. The Egbas broke free from the Old Oyo empire (Oyo-Ile) and got their independence in 1796.

The period to 1837 saw the empire’s greatest trials; the loss of the empire, the loss of trade, the coming of the Jihadist Muslims led by Alimi (an Islamic scholar that was embraced and accepted by the then Aare Ona Kakanfo, Afonja, into his ranks), the coming of the white men and the revolution that forces the population to move to the south to originate Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ijaye and Ago-d-Oyo.
 At the height of the empire. The provinces, though fluid, were Ekun Osi, the metropolis and the area around. The Ekun Otun the Western side of the river Ogun: Ibolo areas and Epo, Egbado, Yewa, parts of Dahomey and Southern Nupe.

REASONS FOR THE SUCCESS OF OYO EMPIRE:

-A good constitution, buoyed by the Alaafin, Oyo Mesi, the Aare Ona Kakanfo and provincial kings.
 -Control of Calvary, trade routes and successful Agriculture.
 -Contacts with the Northern neighbours and the ports on the south.
-There was peace and good government, Islam has crept into the country from the time of Oyo Igboho and in Oyo-Ile, the trend has escalated with the Afonja’s intransigence and Ilorin’s invitation to Sheik Al. Salih. Oyo sit, too was basically converted to Islam.

The fall of the empire in the first half of the nineteenth century was as a result of interplay of social forces that zeroed in on it. The wars were Pamo, Mugba, Kania, Abodo and Elewure. The best men from Saki, Ede, Ogbomoso, Ibadan and Ikoyi were involved in the great exploits.
 The Egbas moved from Ibadan area to Abeokuta. Epo Region of Akeetan, Iseke, Apaara, Aguo, Idode, Ojongbodu were bursting at the seams from the population from the north and were eventually transferred by Atiba to populate Ago-d-Oyo.

Afonja of Ilorin, the 6th Aare Ona Kakanfo (Yoruba Generallisimo) allowed the foothold of the Jihadist and made the sacking of Oyo-Ile irreversible, but he lost his hegemony to the Fulani of Ilorin and even till date.

The British explorers visited Oyo-Ile in 1821 and Oluewu fell in Eleduwe war in 1837. Oyo city thereby dissolved and re-arranged in the South near Ibadan and Ijaye in 1839.

ALAAFIN ATIBA ATOBATELE

Oba Atiba, the son of Abiodun was the greatest human and political factor in the period of new Oyo. His son, Adelu and Adeyemi reigned after him.

Alaafin Atiba Atobatele‎ moved the capital from Oyo to Ago Oja(present Oyo). During his reign, the remnant of the Yoruba army moved South and camped in an area that belonged to the Egba of Gbagura clan. The war camp later became the city of Ibadan and it emerged as the new power centre in Yorubaland.

Alaafin Atiba sought to preserve what remained of Oyo Empire by placing on Ibadan duty of protecting the capital from the Ilorin in the north.

Atiba was a great leader but he came at a time of crises. Yoruba had lost Igbomina. Ijesha, Ekiti and Akoko at this time were under threat. The entire Yoruba land was under Ilorin-Fulani siege. Ibadan would not allow the onslaught to continue, by 1840, Ibadan soldiers defeated and pushed Fulani warriors back to Ilọrin but could not take the city.

The Osogbo war of 1840 had put a stop to the South-Ward advancement of the Jihadists and this with the coming of Christian Missionaries of the Anglicans, the Methodist and the Baptist benefitted the town including the other Yoruba towns.

Atiba enlarged Oyo, enlisted the new energies of Ibadan and Ijaye, thus bracing up bravely the Oyo Monarchy despite the fall of Old Oyo Empire. He died in 1859. He tried to restore Oyo’s glory, but the decline was bound to happen as all the tribes were fighting one another.

The pacification on Captain Bower from 1893, the Kiriji wars and the rise of Ibadan, the liquidation of Ijaye between 1861 - 1863 involved in great wars and great men like Adeyemi 1, Oluyole, Ibikunle, Ogunmola, Kurunmi Ajadi, Toyeje Akanni (Alebiosu) of Ogbomoso, Bamigboye of Ede, and Aare Latosa.

ALAAFIN ADELU AGUNLOYE

Alaafin Adelu Agunloye was Atiba’s son. He became king in 1859. The Ijaye war was fought during his period. Kurunmi, the Are Ona Kankafo, who was the ruler of Ijaiye refused to recognize Adelu as the Alaafin. The war started with Ijaiye declaring war on Oyo in 1860.

The Ibadan war machine under Ogunmọla came in support of Ọyọ, routed Kurunmi-Ijaiye/Egba alliance and killed all his sons. Kurunmi committed suicide and Ijaiye was destroyed. The Ijaiye war was one of the several wars Ibadan engaged in to assert supremacy in Yorubaland.

In 1857, Britain abolish slavery. In the year 1864, Alaafin Adelu Agunloye stopped Batedo War in the name of Sango between Ijebu and the Egbas.

ALAAFIN ALOWOLODU ADEYEMI I

Alaafin Adeyemi I ruled from 1876 to 1905. After the emergence of Ibadan, the Fulani ceased to be a threat to Yoruba but bitter civil war among the tribes made peace impossible. Between 1860 and 1885 Ibadan engaged in five different wars simultaneously.

In 1877, Ibadan went to war against Ẹgba/Ijẹbu for attacking Ibadan traders, when coming from Port-Novo. The Ijẹṣa/Ekiti seized the moment, in 1878, attacked despotic Ibadan Ajẹlẹs (viceroys) in their territories; Ibadan declared war on Ijẹṣa and Ekiti.

The conflict between Ibadan/Ijẹṣa & Ekiti went on for sixteen years, the worst war in Yorubaland. Ogedengbe-the Seriki of Ijẹṣa army, Fabunmi of Oke-Imesi, and Aduloju of Ado-Ekiti held Ibadan down as Ibadan engaged in other wars with the Ẹgba, Ijẹbu, Ilọrin and the Ifẹ.

The Ibadan/Ijesa & Ekiti parapọ war got to its peak at Kiriji, near Ikirun. The Egba were also being attacked by Dahomey. The Alaafin was helpless as his people decimated themselves. He therefore invited the British colonial Governor of Lagos to help settled the dispute.

Through negotiations undertaken by the Church, which was spearheaded by Samuel Johnson, Charles Phillips, and Lagos Governor Maloney in 1886, peace gradually returned to Yorubaland as the warring groups sheathed their swords.

The entire Yorubaland later came under the dominion of the British and the Alaafin became a Vassal of the colonial government. In 1888, Oyo became a protectorate of Great Britain.

Alaafin Agogo Ija Amubieya Lawani became Alaafin after Alaafin Adeyemi I. He was a vassal of the British empire. He reigned from 1905 to 1911.

Alaafin Ladigbolu I became king after Lawani. He ruled from 1911 to 1944. He was also a vassal king. The amalgamation of Nigeria happened during his time. Frederick Lugard united north and south as a single colony called Protectorate of Nigeria. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River . Given by Flora Shaw who later married Lugard.

ALAAFIN ADENIRAN ADEYEMI II

Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, was Alaafin of Oyo, between 1945 and 1954, until he was forced into exile by the Action Group led government of the Western region, as a result of the death of the Deputy leader of the Action Group, Chief Bode Thomas and also for having sympathy, for the rival NCNC of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Chief Bode Thomas (1918-1953) became the deputy leader of the Action Group, he later formed Nigeria’s first indigenous law firm called- Thomas, Willams, Kayode and co. i.e. the trio of Bode Thomas, Chief Rotimi Williams and Chief Remilekun Fani Kayode.

Bode was a brilliant lawyer, but also very haughty and arrogant. He was made the Divisional Council Chairman in 1953, while the Alaafin of Oyo was a mere member.

On his first appearance in council, after being appointed chairman, all the council members stood up for him in deference, to welcome him except Oba Adeyemi II, who for cultural reasons, could not show deference to anyone in public. Bode Thomas rudely shouted at the king, for having the temerity and audacity to disrespect him.

“Why are you sitting when I walked in, you don’t know how to show respect?”At that time, Bode Thomas was 35 years old and Oba Adeniran was in his 60’s.

The Alaafin felt very insulted and nonplussed; he said “se emi lon gbomo baun?” (Is it me you are barking at like that?). Oba Adeniran just told him “Ma gbo lo baun” (continue barking). Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, was father of the incumbent Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.

The confrontation happened on November 22nd 1953. Bode Thomas got home and started barking! He barked and barked like a dog all night until he died in the early morning of November 23rd 1953. He cut short his promising career.

Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, was thereafter deposed and sent on exile in 1954 for sympathizing with opposition NCNC, because he had come in conflict with Bode Thomas who was Deputy Leader of the Action Group, before his untimely death. In fact at a session in the parliament, Sardauna Ahmadu Bello had described Thomas as “Arrogant and ungracious”.

Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, was sent on exile to Ilesha and later relocated to Egerton Street on Lagos Island where he lived and died in 1960. His death truncated the ambition of Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, to proceed to the United Kingdom to study law.

He later became an Insurance Executive with the Royal Exchange Assurance, where he worked until he ascended the throne of his forefathers, as the Alaafin of Oyo in 1971.

ALAAFIN LADIGBOLU II

Alaafin Ladigbolu II (1956-1968) was the Alaafin when Nigeria gained independence. Alaafin Ladigbolu II succeeded Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II who was exiled. He died in 1968 and was succeeded by Alaafin Adeyemi III.

From years 1900s, modern government has taken root, Captain Ross nurtured its growth.

ALAAFIN ADEYEMI III

In 1971 Alaafin Adeyemi III became king. He succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II during the governorship of Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, after the end of the Nigerian Civil War. In 1975, the Head-of-State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed included Oba Adeyemi in his entourage for the hajj.

He was chancellor of Uthman dan Fodiyo University in Sokoto from 1980 to 1992. In 1990 President Ibrahim Babangida appointed him Amir-ul-Hajj in recognition of his commitment to the consolidation of Islam in Nigeria.

Alaafin Adeyemi is a lover of boxing, as he was a boxer before becoming Alaafin. He remains the only educated Alaafin till date.

Oyo city today is the centre of a flourishing civilization from its inception under the children of Atiba, Adelu, Adeyemi I, Agogo Ija, Ladigbolu I, Adeyemi II, Ladigbolu II and Adeyemi III.

Great economic strides, two universities, several tertiary institutions, health and industrial facilities adorn the town in its march to a greater height.

The new express road is a marvel, and Oba Adeyemi III, C.F.R., J.P, LL.D, S.A.P), has assumed the legend of his ancestors with a perfect grasp of the perplexed maze of political, monarchical and economic vicissitudes of the age; an enigma and incarnation of the wholesome attitude of Oluaso.

LONG MAY HE CONTINUE TO REIGN!

Allowing for historical telescoping of areas of events forgotten or badly remembered, bards could trim the issues to ensure intelligent presentation.

THANK YOU!

(The Woven Words)