Ooni Remains Overall Father Of Yoruba Race – Deji Of Akureland

By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan

The Deji of Akureland, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi on Saturday, declared that Ooni of Ife remains the overall father of the Yoruba race,.

Oba Aladetoyinbo made this known during a church thanksgiving session marking his 10th Year Coronation Anniversary activities in Akure, Ondo State.

The Deji of Akureland at the thanksgiving service, pledged his continued loyalty as a legacy handed him by his predecessors who at their different times, subjected themselves to the royal supremacy of the throne of the Ooni of Ife

” I’m so glad to see my father; the Ooni of Ife here today attending my 10th Coronation Anniversary as Deji of Akure Kingdom. Ooni remains the overall father of the Yoruba race”, he said.

Oba Aladetoyinbo added, ” He’s the father of Deji of Akure while I remain his son that’s what I inherited from my predecessors who were all loyal to the past Oonis as their fathers at different times.”

“Akure today is bigger and more cosmopolitan than Ile-Ile, but Ile-Ife remains the ancestral home and traditional headquarters for the entire Yoruba race because that’s the kingdom that gave birth to all the kingdoms in Yorubaland.”

Speaking further, the royal father stressed whoever occupies the throne of the Ooni of Ife should be respected as the “father of the Yoruba,” because they are sitting on Oduduwa’s throne .

Oba Aladetoyinbo emphasized that the throne of the Ooni of Ife represents the seat of Oduduwa, and therefore, it commands respect from all the kings in Yourubaland without exceptions, adding that his seat as Deji is that of Asodeboyede, a son of Ekun, who was a son of Oduduwa.

“I also appreciate my chairman; the Olowo of Owo who is the Chairman, Ondo State Council of Traditional Rulers. He has been here alongside my Baba; Ooni of Ife and when I walked in meeting them already seated, I felt so honoured. Baba Ooni queried me for coming after he had arrived here and I responded:

“Baba, even if had been here 3 hours before me, you’ve only come to honour your son of course, because I’m your son, and no matter how big a son is, he remains a son to his father. So, I, Deji of Akure remains your son, and you’ve only come to honour your own son”.