Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
The governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has tested positive for the dreaded coronavirus. The governor confirmed this on his twitter handle @seyiamakinde, on Monday evening. Makinde, who is head of the Oyo COVID-19 task force, said he had handed over his duties in charge of the task force to former Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, Professor Temitope Alonge. In the meantime, he said he will continue to self-isolate, expressing hope that he will recover fully. “I just received my COVID-19 confirmation test result. It is POSITIVE. I am asymptomatic and will continue to self-isolate. I have designated Prof Temitope Alonge, former Chief Medical Director of the University College, Ibadan, as the Head of COVID-19 Task Force while I recover fully. “Please continue to comply with all the directives from the COVID-19 Task Force. Stay home, stay safe,” Makinde said.