Glamour, histories retold as Alaafin visits Oko, ‘rest place of legendary Oranmiyan’ (PHOTOS)
Abdulrazak BELLO
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Oko headquarters of Surulere LCDA in Oyo state came alive Monday as the Alaafin of Oyo His Imperial Majesty Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade Alaso Etu 1, paid a thank-you visit to the people of the community.
Recall Oba Owoade was crowned in April in an elaborate ceremony in Oyo, and has lately embarked on a thank-you visit to brother Obas and other individuals.
It’s reported Oba Owoade also visited the Onpetu of Ijeru His Royal Majesty Oba Sunday Oladapo Oyediran (who is celebrating his 26th installation anniversary), and the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon His Royal Majesty Oba Francis Olusola Alao. He will today Tuesday visit Oluwo of Iwo Oba Abdulrasheed
Welcoming the Alaafin to Oko kingdom, the Oranmiyan (Oloko) of Okoland, Oba Solomon Olagoke Akinola expressed joy that the Oyo monarch “had returned home.”
Oloko historicized that it was the Oranmiyan who founded Oyo Katunga that also established Oko adding the legendary warrior died in Oko.
“It is with hearts brimming with ancestral pride and deep gratitude that we welcome Your Imperial Majesty to Oko Irese, a land not merely known by name, but defined by the weight of heritage it carries. This ancient soil, known across Yorubaland as the cradle of Oranmiyan’s final rest, receives Your Majesty’s royal feet today as a fulfillment of destiny and a reconnection to a divine lineage,” Oba Akinola said.
“Your presence here, Kabiyesi, brings not only joy but spiritual validation. For you are not just the 45th Alaafin of Oyo – you are the living embodiment of a sacred crown whose foundation was laid by the mighty Oranmiyan, son of Oduduwa. From Oranmiyan to Sango, from Abiodun to Atiba, and from the legacy of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, your enthronement continues the timeless journey of a people and their crown. Your visit today echoes across the centuries-a return of royal essence to its ancient source.”
He also referred to the significance of Oko in many facets; he said it is a thriving commercial centre, has other Oko settlements across many communities including Igbaja (Kwara state), Oke Ona Egba (Ogun state), Oko Ile (Orire local government of Oyo state) and in some other states like Osun and Anambra states, exuding pride, “Kabiyesi, this land of Oko Irese is no ordinary community. We are a kingdom seated in both antiquity and promise. Strategically positioned midway between Ogbomoso and Osogbo, Oko lies on the shortest and most direct route connecting two major economic zones of Yorubaland. With a population of over 50,000 people and more than 10,000 households, Oko plays host to a thriving commercial market that comes alive every five days – a testament to our people’s spirit of enterprise.”
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He informed Oko is known for the cultivation of okro and garden eggs, as well as the intricate art of calabash carving, and claimed the community is the largest single community in Surulere local government area.
Oko according to him boasts indexes of developments including active healthcare services mentioning the newly commissioned LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Comprehensive Health Centre as an instance, just as he informed that the community is well secured with the presence of different security agencies.
He added, “Financially, Oko holds a record that speaks volumes-since 1985, we have been home to a fully operational branch of First Bank of Nigeria, making us the only community outside Ogbomoso in this region with such a longstanding banking presence. We are not only strong in tradition but thriving in commerce and enterprise.”
He however appealed to the visiting monarch to help in reminding Oyo state governor Engr Seyi Makinde of his several promises to revamp the Oko Juice Industry that has been lying fallow for years.
Alaafin responding also expressed happiness at the honour bestowed on him saying “no honour could be greater.”
He described Oko as a place of peace and harmony.
“One thing l have noticed is that Oko is a community that accommodates visitors, it is a town where love reigns. And l have seen that the people love their Kabiyesi,” he stated, while wishing Oloko a successful, prosperous reign.
Oba Owoade assured he would take the matter of the moribund Oko Juice Industry with Governor Makinde.
Rounding off he beseeched, “I plead with the people of Oko to continue to cooperate with Kabiyesi. This is what will bring development, physically and economically. Join hands with Oloko to move Oko forward. I thank you for your hospitality, l want to say that when you have notable events let us know.”
Elejemu of Okoland High Chief Solomon Adekola Ojedayo in a chat with newsmen delving into history reiterated Oranmiyan, the last son of Oduduwa, founded Oko as his second home after first founding Oyo Katunga. He added that Oranmiyan sired a set of triplet at Oko.
Speaking further he disclosed the relationship of the Elejemu with Oko town affirming the Elejemus were also children of Oranmiyan.
“After Oranmiyan had founded Oyo, Katunga, he left for this place where he had a triplet hence the nickname Oko Eta (Oko three). His first son Ajaka became the first Alaafin. But Alaafin Ajaka was deemed weak and so was driven from the throne in place of the war-like Sango. It was Sango who relocated the capital to Oyo-Ile. However, this did not reflect the wish of all the children of Oranmiyan and so those in that category stayed back in Oko and continued to rule as Oba hence Oloko, it couldn’t be Alaafin again.”
On the Elejemu heritage he claimed, “The Elejemus were also children of Oranmiyan who went together to Oyo – Ile after Alaafin Sango relocated the capital there. But the tradition then was that after the transition of an Oba to the great beyond his children must leave Oyo so that the children of the new Alaafin could have unhindered benefits.
“Our progenitor was Alaafin Agboluaje, and so our fathers left Oyo-Ile after his death and they returned to Oko after Ifa consultation, which directed they should return to where Alaafin Ajaka reigned. We arrived Oko town called then Oko Pupa or Oko Ose because there were many Ose trees. Oba Olugoke was Oloko at the time. It was Oba Olugoke who gave us land as his kiths and kins. It was however a place far from his settlement and installed our father as Elejemu so that as title holders we won’t aspire to be king.”
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High Chief Ojedayo who is the CEO of Top One Garden in Ibadan, further said the Fulani war of the 19th century caused disruptions which led to the Oloko moving to the Elejemus. “Elejemu also received other people who were hunters including Gbosa, Adebowale, Olokose and Aro also known as Fagbemi. These people joined Elejemu to preserve the territorial integrity of this area that became Oko today though it is part of Oko’s land alloted to our fathers. The Oko Elejemu was never laid desolate.
“Oranmiyan’s children were asked to resettle at Ejemu that it was their fathers who gave the land to the Elejemu and so the land belonged to them. Layode was the first to reign as Oloko there. Alaafin Abiodun also once visited Ejemu before the wars that ravaged Yorubaland. So, the story is that Oko hosted our forefathers after they returned from Oyo-Ile after their father Alaafin Agboluaje passed away. The Oloko settled us on their land and awarded us the title of Elejemu.”
In similar vein the Aremo of Oko, Aremo Abdulganeey Adesina Adedokun also speaking with newsmen asserted Oko was the death place of the legendary Oranmiyan.
“Oranmiyan first settled here after returning from Tapaland and he died here. There is the tradition of Oko Eta – Oko Igbaja, Oko Esiele and this Oko. We are Oranmiyan children, purebred Oduduwa children. Oranmiyan owns all the land that’s what he inherited.”
