Adelekan Olubuse I

Last updated

Adelekan Olubuse I was the 46th Ooni of Ife, a paramount traditional ruler of Ile Ife, the ancestral home of the Yorubas. He succeeded Ooni Derin Ologbenla and was succeeded by Ooni Adekola. [1]

Contents

Background

Olubuse was the founder of the House of Sijuwade which is a branch of the Ogboru Ruling House. Olubuse I was also the father of Omo-Oba Adereti Sijuade and grandfather of Oba Okunade Sijuwade the 50th Ooni of Ife. [2] [3] [4]

Historical Significance

Adelekan Olubuse I was the first Ooni to vacate his palace since the inception of the Monarchy, said to date back to 500 B.C., the current dynasty of which is over eight hundred years old. Olubuse I was asked by the British governor, Sir William Macgregor, to travel to Lagos to settle a dispute and inform him regarding the status and well-being of his people in 1903. [5] [6]

This event is said to have been Ile-Ife's first encounter with the extent of British colonial power. [5] [7]

At this time, every Yoruba king along the Ooni's route to Lagos vacated their own palaces and towns, because the lesser kings refused to occupy their palaces while the god-king did not occupy his own. [8] [9]

Religious Significance

In the Ifá religion of the Yoruba people, the sacred city is layered inwards, from the city of Ife to the palace of the Ooni, to the Ooni himself. [10] Ile-Ife is said, in the Ifa religion, to be the place where the gods descended to earth, the creator god, Ọbatala, and the first god-king of Ife, Oduduwa. It is said to be the center of the universe, and the seat of the king is the center of the city. All roads in Ile-Ife lead to the king's seat. His palace is the geographical center of their religion, and the most sacred space, while the Ooni himself is the object of worship, and the central figure of the religion. Jacob Olupona asserts that, for Westerners, the Ooni departing Ile-Ife is the same as God leaving heaven at the behest of a mortal. [5] When asked by the British governor about the welfare of his people, the Ooni is said to have responded by telling him that they wept at his departure, and many awaited his return outside of the city. The governor replied that he did not believe the Ooni violated any traditions in leaving the city. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oduduwa</span> Yoruba divine king

Oduduwa was a Yoruba divine king, legendary leader of the Ife Empire and a creator deity and orisha in the Yoruba religion. According to tradition, he was the holder of the title of the Olofin of Ile-Ife, the Yoruba holy city. He ruled briefly in Ife, and also served as the progenitor of a number of independent royal dynasties in Yorubaland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ifẹ</span> City in Osun State, Nigeria

Ifẹ̀ is an ancient Yoruba city in south-western Nigeria, recent in-depth archeologically estimates suggest Ife's founding to be between the 10th century BC and 6th century BC and is widely agreed upon by historians to be the oldest amongst the classical and post-classical Yoruba city-states. The city is located in present-day Osun State. Ife is about 218 kilometers northeast of Lagos with a population of over 500,000 people, which is the highest in Osun State according to population census of 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adesoji Aderemi</span> Nigerian traditional ruler (1889–1980)

Oba Sir Titus Martins Adesoji Tadeniawo Aderemi (Atobatele I), alias Adesoji Aderemi, (Listen)KCMG, KBE (15 November 1889 – 3 July 1980), was a Nigerian political figure and Yoruba traditional ruler as the Ooni (King) of Ife (or Ilé-Ifẹ̀, as it is properly known) from 1930 until 1980. He served as the governor of Western Region, Nigeria between 1960 and 1962.

Chief Ògúnwán̄dé "Wán̄dé" Abím̄bọ́lá is a Nigerian academician, a professor of Yoruba language and literature, and a former vice-chancellor of the University of Ife. He has also served as the Majority Leader of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Chief Abimbola was installed as Àwísẹ Awo Àgbàyé in 1981 by the Ooni of Ife on the recommendation of a conclave of Babalawos of Yorubaland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iga Idunganran</span> Official Residence of the Oba of Lagos

Iga Idunganran is the Official Residence of the Oba of Lagos, situated on Lagos Island. It is also a tourist attraction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oba Okunade Sijuwade</span> 50th Ooni of Ife

Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade CFR was the fiftieth traditional ruler or Ooni of Ife from 1980 to his death in 2015, taking the regnal name Olubuse II. He was the was the traditional ruler of the Yoruba Kingdom of Ile- Ife a traditional Yoruba state based in the town of Ife in Osun State, Nigeria. He was crowned on 6 December 1980 in a ceremony attended by the Emir of Kano, Oba of Benin, Amayanabo of Opobo and Olu of Warri, as well as by representatives of the Queen of England.

Alhaji Fatai Akinade AkinbadeListen is a Nigerian politician and the former Secretary to the State Government in Osun State. He was a contender to become the People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for governorship of Osun State in the April 2011 elections.

Ipetumodu ()is a city in Osun State, in the southwestern part of Nigeria. It is the headquarters of the Ife North local government. The city is under the leadership of traditional ruler with the title of Apetumodu, which means "one who killed an antelope for sacrificial purposes for Odu".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olojo festival</span> Annual festival in Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

The Olojo Festival is an ancient festival celebrated annually in Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. It is one of the popular festivals in the Yoruba land, and was once described by Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi as a festival that celebrates the Black race all over the world. The Yoruba word 'Olojo' means 'The Day Of The First Dawn' that describes the grateful heart of man towards God's creation and the existence of Human. The Olojo Festival is a culture festival in the calendar of the Ile-Ife, Osun State which is located in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. It is the celebration of the remembrance of “Ogun”, god of Iron, who is believed to be the first son of Oduduwa, progenitor of the Yoruba people. The festival is held annually in October. It is one of the biggest festival on the culture calendar of lle-Ife.

Africa's Richest Kings is a ranking of Africa's wealthiest monarchs, compiled and published by the American business magazine, Forbes, in March 2014. The total net worth of each individual on the list is estimated, in United States dollars, based on their assets and accounting for debt. Politicians and dictators whose wealth comes from their positions are excluded from this list, as the term king is deemed by the evaluators to refer to either sovereign or constituent monarchs who reign due to monarchical tradition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obalufon Alayemore</span>

Obalufon Alayemore, also referenced as Ọbalùfọ̀n II, was an Ooni of Ife, a paramount traditional ruler of Ile Ife, the ancestral home of the Yorubas. He succeeded his father Obalufon Ogbogbodirin. Obalufon Alayemore was forced out of power by Ooni Oranmiyan and later returned with the help of local residents to reclaim the throne.

Derin Ologbenla was the 45th Ooni of Ife, a paramount traditional ruler of Ile Ife, the ancestral home of the Yorubas. He succeeded Ooni Ooni Orarigba and was succeeded by Ooni Adelekan Olubuse I.

Ooni Adekola was the 47th Ooni of Ife, a paramount traditional ruler of Ile Ife, the ancestral home of the Yorubas. He succeeded Ooni Adelekan Olubuse I and was succeeded by Ooni Ademiluyi Ajagun.

Rahmon Adegoke Adedoyin is a Nigerian educationist and businessman who was sentenced to death by hanging on May 30, 2023. He is the founder and proprietor of Oduduwa University and The Polytechnic, Ile-Ife. In an interview with Vanguard, Rahmon claimed that the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade had nominated him as the Ooni of Ife before his death because of "his developmental strides, particularly in the cradle of Yoruba land".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi</span> Nigerian traditional ruler (born 1974)

Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi,, is the 51st and current Ooni of Ife. He is the traditional ruler and monarch of the Yoruba kingdom of Ile-Ife. He ascended to the throne of his forebearers in 2015, succeeding the deceased Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who was the 50th Ooni of Ife.

James Adedokun Adegoke (1934–2017) was a teacher and football referee who became Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in 1992. He is from Asalu compound of Fagbemokun ruling house of Ipetumodu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ogiame Atuwatse III</span> Nigerian traditional ruler (born 1984)

Ogiame Atuwatse III is a Nigerian traditional king/ 21stOlu of Warri of the Kingdom of Warri. He was born Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, also known as Tsola Emiko on 2 April 1984 to Olu Atuwatse II, the 19th Olu of Warri and Gladys Durorike Emiko in Warri. He is also a descendant of Olu Akengbuwa.

Lowa Ajani Anibijuwon Omisore was a Yoruba aristocratic chief in Ife, British Nigeria who founded the town of Ayepe-Olode and founded the Omisore dynasty. He was granted the title of Lowa by Ooni (King) Adelekan Olubuse I of Ife, making him second-in-command to the Ooni. He subsequently served as a regent and a kingmaker in Ife, crowning Ademiluyi Ajagun and Adesoji Aderemi as Ooni. He led and managed the construction of Ife's major road networks under the wishes of Ooni Ajagun and later founded the town of Ayepe-Olode, which he transformed from a desolate jungle that was previously used by animal hunters.

Omo-Oba Adereti Sijuade was a member of the House of Sijuwade and a wealthy cocoa merchant. He was also the son of Adelekan Olubuse I - the 46th Ooni of Ife and the father of Oba Okunade Sijuwade - the 50th Ooni of Ife.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amina Sijuwade</span>

Amina Sijuwade is a lawyer, administrator, and member of the Sijuwade Royal Family. She is a two-time commissioner – first the Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice and then the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, both for Kaduna State. She is also the wife to Prince Adetokunbo Sijuwade - the group managing director of Sijuwade Group and son of Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II - the 50th Ooni of Ife.

References

  1. Dayo, Ologundudu (2008). The cradle of Yoruba culture. Nigeria: Centre for spoken words. p. 206. ISBN   978-0615220635 . Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  2. "OBITUARY: Oba Okunade Sijuwade (1930-2015), the Ooni who loved Jonathan 'like a son'". TheCable. 2015-07-29. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  3. Odesola, Tunde (2023-06-15). "Ooni: The public displays of a king (II)". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  4. "Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II (1930-2015)". Daily Trust. 2015-08-19. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  5. 1 2 3 Olupona, Jacob (2011-12-13). City of 201 Gods. University of California Press. doi:10.1525/9780520948549. ISBN   978-0-520-94854-9.
  6. "Ile Ife, Nigeria (ca. 500 B.C.E.- ) •". 2011-03-16. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
  7. "Prince Adedapo Aderemi: A Short but Memorable Life - THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  8. Sanusi, Sola (2018-07-19). "Story of the first Ooni of Ife to travel to Lagos, all Yoruba kings vacated their thrones during his sojourn". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
  9. Nigeria, Guardian (2019-01-20). "'In the past, Ooni neither travelled nor spoke in public'". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  10. Wariboko, Nimi (2014), "The King's Five Bodies", The Charismatic City and the Public Resurgence of Religion, New York: Palgrave Macmillan US, pp. 57–79, doi:10.1057/9781137463197_4, ISBN   978-1-349-49674-7 , retrieved 2022-10-28
  11. Sanusi, Sola (2018-07-19). "Story of the first Ooni of Ife to travel to Lagos, all Yoruba kings vacated their thrones during his sojourn". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2022-10-28.