Category: History
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Olurogbo, also known as Ela, was the son of Moremi, an early heroine of the Yoruba nation, possibly queen of the second Alafin, Oranyan. This, if true, will make Olurogbo a Prince. The more important story about Olurogbo, however was the nature of his departure. Moremi, believing her success in uncovering the tricks of the…
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Onisile was the Alaafin of Oyo known and cheered for his “indomitable” spirit. In spite of the hostile fate that befell Onisile, he is remembered with a cheerful appellation, Gbagida, meaning ‘strong man.’ Onisile’s stubbornness and knack for engaging in decidedly dangerous activities caused the abortion of his reign. He was injured by lightning while…
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Orile Owu is the deformed town of ancient Owu people, reported as very thickly populated (Omer-Copper estimated a population of about 40,000) and regarded in its day among the important Yoruba settlements. The walls of the town covered a circumference of about 9-12 miles. Orile Owu was formed when Olowu was crowned as a sessional…
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Edun Adegboyega was the secretary of the Egba United Government from 1902 to 1918. He was born in June 1860 as Jacob Henryson Samuel, but changed his name by assuming his ancestral name in 1904. Edun was educated in Richmond College, England and the University of London. As an ordained minister in the Methodist Church…
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Osinyago was one of the short lived Alaafin of Oyo, whose repressive rule led to an inglorious end. Osinyago dedicated himself to the pursuit of wealth but not even his children lived to enjoy them. His equally covetous son lost his life to this conduct and his second child who was a lady killed her…
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Abraham Adesemowo was the Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo under whose reign as the Oloja of Okeshopin, the town had its five quarters unified. Abraham’s status had been promoted right after his assumption of office in 1929 from his being a primus inter pares among other Baale of the town. Adesomowo often availed himself of higher…
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Abipa was the Alaafin who finally moved the capital of Oyo Empire from the Savannah called Oyo Igoho to its former location. Abipa had done this in keeping faith with his father, Ajiboyede, who initiated the plan. The story is told of how the nobles, and some influential subjects who were born in Oyo Igoho,…
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Ademuyiwa Haastrup was a flamboyant Lagos auctioneer and Local Methodist church preacher in Remo. Haastrup was an Ijesha prince with some maternal connections with Akarigbo Oyebajo. He was born to an Ifa priest in 1863 but was adopted as a child by Christians, hence his name, Joseph Pythagoras Haastrup. He later took a native name,…
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Abiodun was the Alaafin of Oyo who finally ended the tyranny of Basorun Gaha. Abiodun, also known as Adegolu was a tall, handsome, slim man of very dark complexion. The wise king showed no visible resentment of the infamous Basorun Gaa’s ways and he paid him homage without wearying. The cup of the Basorun’s iniquities…
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Ijemo Massacre was an incidence in Abeokuta in 1914, that led to the abrogation of the Treaty of 1893 in which the independence of the Egba kingdom had been asserted. This widely condemned killing of some 40 unarmed men, women and children at Ijemo was the subject of serious discussions in the West African papers,…