Siyanbola Oladigbolu: Seven facts about Oyo Prince aspiring to be next Alaafin

By Deji Agunbiade

1. Prince Kolade Afeez Siyanbola Oladigbolu is a biological grandson of the late Oba Abubakar Siyanbola Oladigbolu, the Alaafin of Oyo between 1911 and 1944. His great-grandfather (Oba Muhammad Lawal Akanbi Agogo-Ija ) was also the Alaafin of Oyo between 1905 and 1911. Alaafin Agogoija, who reigned for six years, is also the son of Alaafin Adelu Agunloye, son of the founder of the new capital, Alaafin Muhammad Soliu Atiba Atobatele.

2. Siyanbola Jnr was named after his grandfather, the second longest reigning Alaafin of Oyo after Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi, who passed away in April 2022, Alaafin Abubakar Akanbi Adedokun Siyanbola Oladigbolu, who ascended the throne at the age of 65 years and ruled for 33 years.

3. Prince Siyanbola Jnr is the last born of a mother of seven and number 12 of the father of 15.

4. Prince Siyanbola is a mariner by profession and was a third officer on board of vessel before channelling his energy into other sectors in the year 2010.

5. Prince Siyanbola Oladigbolu is the founder of popular real estate firms in Lagos, Royal Colony Homes Limited and Chairman, Board of Directors, Oceantrack Holdings, Alkafiz Energy Limited, Captain Black Heavy Duty (CCL) and Afcom Media Limited.

6. The intelligent young Prince is highly familiar with Yoruba culture and tradition due to experiences he has gathered from royal palaces in Yorubaland. For his formal education, Prince Siyanbola attended St Mary R.C.M Primary School, Asogo, Oyo; Islamic Comprehensive High School, Olope Ibadan; Federal College of Fishery and Marine Technology, Victoria Island, Lagos; and Regional Maritime University, Accra, Ghana.

7 . He is a member of Nigerian Sea Ferrers (Sail Navy). The young and vibrant front-line contender for the vacant stool of Alaafin doesn’t sound like someone who is not ready for the task surrounding being an Alaafin. His historical facts about the Oyo Kingdom are marvellous for anyone who cares to know about Oyo, the position of Alaafin, and the Yoruba historical journey.

It was from this audacious Prince that one hears that the word “Aafin” (palace) singularly belongs to Oyo. He further explained that Aafin was the official residence of Alaafin. How can any Oba have an Aafin when he is not an Alaafin? The prince asked. 

Other parts of Yorubas have names for their palaces, such as Iga, Iyewu, Ile-Oba, and so on. But the word “Aafin” was coined by Oyos. So, using it generally doesn’t mean it has no genesis.

The findings revealed that the father of  38-year-old’  Prince (Prince Azeez Akano Siyanbola Oladigbolu) is a younger brother to the late Oba Bello Orimadegun Gbadegesin The predecessor of Oba Adeyemi, who joined his ancestors in April 2022.

The whole world is patiently waiting for the emergence of the reincarnation of Oba Siyanbola Adedokun Ladigbolu, who never lost any battle of defending Yorubas home and abroad during his reign. 

Alaafin Abubakar Siyanbola Oladigbolu was the Alaafin between 1911 and 1944. The unification of the protectorate of North,  South, and  Lagos Colony was amalgamated two years after he (Oba Ladigbolu) became the Alaafin of Oyo.

Some historical facts established the fact that it was Oba Siyanbola Oladigbolu who represented the whole Yorubas during the ceremony of Nigeria’s amalgamation in 1914. 

The unforgettable event earned Oba Ladigbolu a British honour of CMG. (The Commander of St Michael and St George. Now equivalent to Sir.

Alaafin Ladigbolu and the likes of former Yoruba monarchs, Oba Sir Musediku Adeniji Adele, (Oba of Lagos) Oba Sir Titus Matins Adesoji Aderemi,  (Ooni of Ife), Oba Sir Samuel Ademola Oladapo (the Alake of Egba) Oba Sir Afunbiowo Adesida, (Deji of Akure) and Oba Fesogbade Ademolu, the Awuajale of Ijebu, were contemporaries in the circle of royalty across the Niger, now Nigeria during the pre-colonial political system of Nigeria before the introduction of the constitution.

Agunbiade writes from Oyo.

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