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...
Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed his desire to live beyond 100 so as to have more opportunities to celebrate with the Agura of Gbagura, Oba Sabur Bakare, Jamolu II. Obasanjo was part of the dignitaries present at the first anniversary of the monarch held in Abeokuta on Tuesday. Oba Bakare received the staff of office from former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, on May 21, 2019, as the 9th Agura of Gbagura in Egbaland. The monarch while commemorating his anniversary held interdenominational service with believers of all faiths and commissioned a borehole for the community. Obasanjo, who clocked 83 this year, while speaking at the interdenominational service, said he wished to be at the 20th anniversary of the monarch. He said, “I will be here to celebrate your 20 years anniversary with you whether I am invited or not.“By the time I also partake in celebrating your 20th anniversary with you, if God wishes, He can call me to come and meet Him in heaven because I know by that time, I will be above 100 or more .”The former president, however, advised the monarch to propagate unity among traditional rules in Yorubaland. “There are times that Kabiyesi don’t listen to words and there are times he does listen to words. If we are united, there is nothing we can’t do in Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole,” Obasanjo added. In his remarks, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, noted that the past one year of the reign of Oba Bakare had been characterized by direct engagement of Egba monarchs, leaders, and other stakeholders for social cohesion and unity of purpose. Alake expressed that the entire Egba Traditional Council was satisfied with the all-inclusive leadership of the Agura monarch and congratulated him for a successful anniversary. The Agura appreciated his guests, adding that the unity and love among the Egbas would continue to wax stronger.