It took a wait of 234 years for the lineage of 40-year-old Oba Joel Oyatoye to ascend the throne of the Oloro of Oro Kingdom in Kwara State. However, the ascension was not without its challenges writes BIOLA AZEEZ.
The journey to the throne of Oloro of Oro Kingdom in the Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State by the 40-year-old Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye, Olufayo II, can best be described as tortuous and remarkable. The new traditional ruler, a culture ambassador and promoter, based in Canada, is the president and founder of Asa Day Worldwide, incorporated in Canada.
In the race to becoming the occupier of the stool of Oloro, a group of persons in the local government had said in a publication that the Olufayo ruling house had disclaimed the then Prince Titiloye in the obaship matter.
However, in a statement by the head of the Olufayo Ruling house of Aafin Oro, Chief Tejumola Abikoye Titiloye, who is also the head of Olufayo/Oluode compound, Iludun-Oro, Kwara State, he said that Titiloye is a bonafide member of the royal family and entitled to contest for the royal stool.
So, on Sunday, October 27, 2024, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Kayode Alabi, presented letter of appointment and staff of office to Oba Oyatoye Titiloye as Oloro of Oro kingdom.
The expectations were that the presentation of staff of office to Oba Oyatoye Titiloye would have laid to rest all issues surrounding the eligibility of the new king. Alas, it was not to be, as some people in the Oro community warned the recently installed traditionally ruler against the usage of the title of Oloro of Oro, Oloro of Oro Land or Oloro of Oro Kingdom.
The community made their agitation known in a statement jointly signed by the Baale of Oro, Chief Raphael Olateju Afolabi and the president of Oro Community Association, Professor James Bababode Bojuwoye, and made available to journalists through the association’s National Publicity Secretary, Adebayo Olodan.
The community maintained that nobody from any of the eight communities in Oro District is entitled to be enthroned as the Oloro of Oro, Oba Oloro of Oro or Oro Kingdom or Oro Land.
“The title of Oloro of Oro or Oba Oloro of Oro Land is a preserve of our community, hence we want to use this opportunity to caution the recently installed Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye to stop using the title of Oloro of Oro, parading himself as Oba Oloro of Oro, Oloro of Oro Land or Oloro of Oro Kingdom.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we want to reiterate that following the Supreme Court judgement delivered on January 18, 2019 by Justice Mary Ukaegbo Odili and four other judges, our community, Oro had ceased to be part of the generic communities of Oro Kingdom.
“Flowing from the above, the palace of Oba Oyatoye Titiloye is not of any historical or traditional significance to our community. The new traditional ruler does not have any control over the affairs of Oro and its people.”
The statement added that Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye, members of his traditional council and individuals from the eight communities in Oro District have no right, power or jurisdiction to add any prefix or suffix to the name of their community, saying Oro is Oro, “no prefix, no suffix”.
The community also pleaded with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to implement the 2019 Supreme Court ruling to the letter.
In their responses, several community leaders and stakeholders in the area refuted claims by the Otun Oro community that no other town should bear the name “Oro.”
In his response, Chief Ologba of Oro Kingdom, Oloye Opeyemi Awoyale, dismissed the claims as baseless.
“There is no element of truth in what they are saying. Their community is not among the ruling communities in Oro Kingdom. They are simply stirring up unnecessary issues within the larger Oro community,” he stated.
Another notable community leader in the community, Elder Kayode Adeyipo, said that Otun Oro is only one of many villages that make up the larger Oro Kingdom. “Can a part be greater than the whole?” Adeyipo asked rhetorically.
The chief imam of Oro community, Mallam Sanusi Taofeek, also weighed in, affirming the legitimacy of the current Oloro based on tradition and history.
He said that, “The tradition of Oro states that any individual from the Oloro royal family, duly installed on the stool, is to be addressed as Oloro.”
A youth leader, Adefila John Olalekan, also condemned the claims. “Eleven communities bear the name Oro. How can one community insist that no others should use it? The state government installed the Oloro in accordance with the law,” he said.
Also, the Oloro-in-council said that the entire people of Oro Kingdom have welcomed a new era with the official selection and appointment of His Royal Highness, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye, as the Oloro of Oro Kingdom.
In a statement issued and signed by the Oloro-in Council, the kingmakers, the Oro Descendants Union and the council, confirmed that Oba Joel Oyatoye’s selection adhered strictly to the Kingdom’s traditional rites and procedures.
The statement signed by the Eesa of Oro Kingdoms, High Chief Samuel Taiye Bamgboye, Asooni of Oro Kingdom, High Chief Muhammed Atoyebi Adewole, Baale Ijomu Oro, High Chief Matthew Ademola Olatunde, Ibaa of Oro Kingdom, High Chief Rahman Abikoye, Ologba of Oro Kingdom, High Chief Opeyemi Awoyale, Aladee of Oro Kingdom, High Chief Ganiyu Kayode Ademola, and Baale Iludun Oro, High Chief Ayoola Stephen Olaonipekun Oyerinde II, reassured the public of the integrity and transparency of the selection process, adding that the selection was conducted with utmost diligence, to ensure that all traditional rites required for the exalted throne were observed.
The Oloro in Council, therefore, urged the public to disregard rumours or misinformation spread by a small opposition group, reaffirming that Oba Joel Oyatoye’s appointment reflects the wishes of the people.
The community leaders noted that new monarch’s popularity was on full display during his grand welcome to Aafin Oro, where he was greeted by a large and joyful crowd eager to celebrate the arrival of their new leader after he was presented with staff of office.
The council noted that this enthusiastic reception is a testament to Oba Joel Oyatoye’s acceptance and the collective optimism for his reign.
Acknowledging that any selection process might leave some disappointed, the council called on all residents to set aside differences and unite in support of the new king.
“What is most urgent now is to place our common interest over personal interests and emphasize the values that make us strong as a community,” the statement read.
The council also extended its gratitude to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and his administration for honouring their commitment to remain neutral in the selection process, praising their integrity and respect for the Kingdom’s traditions.
So, on Monday, December 30, 2024, the 40-year-old Oba Joel Oyatoye Titiloye, Olufayo II, was crowned as the new Oloro of Oro Kingdom.
The coronation marked the return of his lineage to the throne after 234 years, and was accompanied by traditional rites performed by the Oloro-in-Council, led by the Eesa, High Chief Otunola Taiwo.
The ancient Oro kingdom comprises of 11 autonomous communities, which included: Afin, Agbeola, Iddo, Ijomu, Iludun, Irebode, Okeola, Okerimi, Otun, Olorunsogo and Sie.
The newly crowned monarch was “born on January 27, 1984 to the family of Oyatoye Titiloye of Olufayo ruling house of Afin Oro, Oba Olaniyi, and is therefore, a direct descendant of Oba Olufayo I, who reigned between 1785 and 1788 as the Oloro of Oro kingdom.”
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The event attracted dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond, including Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Hon. Femi Agbaje Whyte, Kwara Central Senator and Turaki of Ilorin, Senator Saliu Mustapha and Kwara South Senator, Lola Ashiru, both represented by high-powered delegations, Member of the House of Representatives representing Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke Ero Federal Constituency, Hon. Raheem Tunji Olawuyi Ajulopin.
Other notable attendees included the executive secretary of the National Institutes of Cultural Orientation (NICO), Otunba Biodun Ajiboye; Asiwaju of Oro Kingdom, Retired Rear Admiral Azeez Bayo Afolayan; Agba Akin of Oro Kingdom, Alhaji Yinka Quadri; and the state commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju,
The Olupo of Ajase-Ipo and chairman of the Irepodun Traditional Council, Oba Ismail Yahyah Alebiosu, led traditional rulers from across Igbomina land to the ceremony.
In his remarks, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq urged the new monarch to lead with integrity, fairness and compassion, saying that he should operate an open-door policy to advance the community.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Hon. Femi Agbaje Whyte, the governor called on Oba Joel Oyatoye to see his ascension as a call to serve and preserve the culture, heritage and unity of Oro Kingdom.
and then