Descendants of Alaafin Oranmiyan from Ipokia, Ogun State, have explained that their visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, was to honour their royal ancestry and congratulate him on his emergence as the paramount ruler of the historic Oyo Kingdom.
Speaking at the Alaafin’s Palace, on Sunday, Head of the family, Alhaji Abdulatif Kolawole Adeowo, said the visit was a demonstration of their respect for their royal progenitor and a reaffirmation of their ancestral ties to the kingdom.
Adeowo explained that their mother, Princess Onisile, was a great-great-granddaughter of Alaafin Oranmiyan, whom tradition associates with the founding of Old Oyo, also known as Oyo-Ile or Oyo Igboho.
He said the family regarded its royal lineage as an important part of its identity and history, adding that the visit was intended to strengthen its relationship with the palace and preserve the cultural heritage of their forebears.
He added that the emergence of Oba Owoade offered a fresh opportunity to promote peace, unity and development in the Oyo Kingdom.
‘My message is to congratulate you, Your Majesty,’ Adeowo said, praying for a successful and peaceful reign for the monarch.
He also noted that relations between the people of Oyo and the palace remained cordial, and expressed hope that the new reign would further strengthen the bond between the monarch and his people.
In his response, Oba Owoade expressed gratitude to the chiefs, elders, sons and daughters of Oyo, who travelled from Ipokia to congratulate him on his ascension to the throne of his forebears.
The Alaafin said he was delighted by the show of love, solidarity and support he had received from Oyo indigenes, including those living outside the kingdom.
He appreciated the visitors for their prayers and goodwill, asking God to continue to bless and protect them.
‘I thank you all for coming. Olódùmarè will bless you all. Oyo will know peace in our time,’ the monarch said.
Oba Owoade called on Oyo indigenes at home and in the diaspora to join hands with him in building a greater kingdom founded on peace, unity and development.
The monarch also invited the indigenes of Oyo across the world to participate in the maiden Oyo Empire Day Celebration, tagged ‘M? Mi Kí N M? ?’ – A Homecoming.
The event is scheduled for December 17 to 19, at the Alaafin’s Palace, in Oyo town.
The celebration aims to reconnect descendants of the historic Oyo Empire with their ancestral roots while promoting cultural heritage, unity and a shared sense of identity among the people.