Culture

Traditional leaders oppose Oyo chieftaincy law amendment

Published

1 year ago

May 20, 2025

Traditional leaders from Ibadanland and Ogbomosoland are opposing a proposed law to make the Alaafin of Oyo permanent chairman of the state’s Council of Obas and Chiefs, arguing for the preservation of rotational leadership

Traditional leaders and key figures from Ibadanland and Ogbomosoland have voiced strong opposition to a proposed amendment to the Oyo State chieftaincy law, which seeks to make the Alaafin of Oyo the permanent chairman of the state’s Council of Obas and Chiefs.

Also read: Alaafin of Oyo denounces false supremacy battle claims in online publication

This opposition was formally expressed in a joint statement issued on Monday in Ibadan.

The statement was signed by Mogajis, Baales, monarchs, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, the Ibadan Compounds Peace Initiative, prominent individuals from Ibadanland, and Mogajis from the Soun Ruling Houses of Ogbomoso.

The bill, which proposes to establish the Alaafin as the permanent “presiding authority” of the Oyo State Council of Obas, successfully passed its second reading in the Oyo State House of Assembly last Thursday.

The legislative session, presided over by Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin, saw the bill referred to the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters for further scrutiny.

The bill outlines a hierarchy for presiding over the council: primarily the Alaafin, followed by the Olubadan of Ibadanland in the Alaafin’s absence, and then the Soun of Ogbomoso if both are absent.

The chairmanship of the council has always been rotational and should remain so to reflect fairness and equity among all royal stools in the state.

However, traditional leaders and stakeholders have condemned the proposed amendment, describing it as “a distortion of historical tradition and an affront to other royal institutions in the state.”

“The chairmanship of the council has always been rotational and should remain so to reflect fairness and equity among all royal stools in the state,” the statement emphasized.

The President of the Ibadan Mogajis, Asimiyu Ariori, and the ICPI Coordinator, Nurudeen Akinade, reiterated that their opposition was not based on personal gain but “rooted in historical precedent and a desire to ensure unity and peace across the state.”

They cautioned the House against creating “unnecessary tension,” urging lawmakers to “respect tradition and uphold the rotational leadership model for the Council of Obas and Chiefs.”

“The respect we have for the immediate past Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, was because of his relationship with the traditional institutions and some distinguished personalities in Ibadanland,” they said.

“We respected and honoured Oba Adeyemi’s age and wisdom. He spent over 50 years on the throne before his demise, yet he never disrespected the Ibadan people. The current Alaafin should tread softly.”

Up Next

Ooni of Ife warns against choosing poor traditional rulers

Don't Miss

Honouring the legacy of the drummer king: A tribute by Aafin Ilu

Click to comment

Culture

OLOJO….Ile Ife’s September Gift To Culture

Published

2 weeks ago

October 5, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Halima Adaba,

It was a featubal if the people. It was for the anciebt town of Ile Ife, which the Yoruba race refards as the Source.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

And ut was a festivsl for the King, Arole Oduduwa, Oonirisa, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

And so between September 24 and 28th 2026, the annual featuval dazzjed in all its white glory.

Tge Monarch paid the traditional ancestral homage and offered propitiation as part of the sacred rites of the Olojo Festival.
It was a powerful expression of Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and enduring tradition.

Call it a collection of beautiful moments, faces, colours and cultural expressions.

Every frame tells a story.

Every face carries the energy.

Every moment keeps the heritage alive.

Undoubtedly one of the most sacred cultural celebrations in Ilé-Ifẹ̀. It marked a day associated with creation, thanksgiving, ancestral heritage, and the sacred appearance of the Ooni of Ife wearing the revered Aàrẹ crown.

There were also the devotees of the famed god of thunder – Sàngó who were hardly conspicuous at the festival.

Many other traditional groups came out with candor, showing a powerful expression of Yoruba cultural identity, spiritual devotion, and respect for the ancient traditions of Ilé-Ifẹ̀.

Devotees of Sàngó bekieved the ‘appearance’ of the god of thunder on Seotember 26th could be understood as a symbolic meeting of ancestral heritage, spiritual devotion, and the celebration of creation.

It was a moment when the sounds of drums, chants, and traditional praise poetry brought the history of the Yoruba people to life.

Although Olojo is closely associated with Ogun, the god of iron, and the sacred traditions of Ile-Ife, the presence of Sàngó devotees reflected the rich diversity of Yoruba spiritual heritage.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

As a participant enthused at the festival, “To witness Sàngó Olúkòso emerge on Olojo Festival day is to witness a living expression of history, identity, and ancestral pride.”

Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 months ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”