February 15, 2025
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OBA AKINSEMOYIN DAY: A celebration of royal rights and rites

Eight vibrant branches of La­gos State’s first royal dynasty – the Oba Akinsemoyin Royal Family – last week, rolled out the drums in colour and pomp. GOD’S COVENANT SNR and JOY EKEREKE joined the week-long celebration and filed in this report.

Eight vibrant branches of La­gos State’s first royal dynasty – the Oba Akinsemoyin Royal Family —on Sunday, March 8, 2015 rolled out the drums in colourful cel­ebration to re-proclaim and re-assert theimmortality of the Oba Akinsemoyin Day Celebration.

Never had so many people of all ages from all walks of life, in La­gos and in the diaspora celebrated religion, culture and tradition with such enthusiasm and pas­sion under one umbrella as was seen in the city of Lagos in the week-long celebration of a gene­alogy and a dynasty that is older than the city itself.

Chairman of the Elder’s Coun­cil and head of the Royal Family, 82-year-old Prince Saliru Laiwola Olowonifela Akinsemoyin, a.k.a. Allah-Dey, in an interview at his residence in Ebute-Meta (East) explained to Daily Times the ne­cessity of celebrating their pro­genitor who was the 3rd and longest reigned Oba of Lagos to date (from 1704-1749).

“The Akinsemoyin Day is an annual event celebrated by us, the descendants of King Akinse­moyin in remembrance of our progenitor.

“The annual event is a forum for the different branches of the Akinsemoyin Royal Family to interact and socialise with each other. We also use the occasion to give awards to deserving members and friends of the royal family. But especially, we use the occasion to raise a common voice in the ac­tualisation of our common dream of regaining our rightful throne of the Oba of Lagos.”

According to the chairman’s account, the history of Akinse­moyin cannot be divorced from that of the Olofin Atekoye as it re­lates to the Idejo Chiefs. It is also intertwined with Ogboni Fakore­de (Baba Alagbigba), whose divi­nation motivated Akinsemoyin to greatness and that of his step sister, Princess Ikuti-Lekun (later known as Erelu-Kuti).

With the consent of the Oba of Benin kingdom around 1630AD, the pioneer Progenitor, Asipa was to be crowned as the 1st Oba of La­gos, but he died before he could be crowned. So, his only son, Addo, was crowned as the 1st Oba of La­gos in Iddo Island. Addo himself was survived by two males and a female – Gabaro, Akinsemoyin and Erelu-Kuti.

 

The reign of Oba Gabaro (1669-1704)

Though an introvert and flex­ible in his administration, Gaba­ro’s continued drive for taxation/tributes in Lagos for the Oba of Benin was resented by the Idejos. But being a moderate monarch unwilling to use his total author­ity on the people, heresorted to pleading with the urban Idejos to allow him move his seat of power to within their land holding.

But a more radical Prince Akin­semoyin who believed in the su­premacy of the crown found the re­bellion of the Idejos unacceptable and was ready to make war with them. He was worried that despite a treaty with the Benin Empire for military support if need be, his brother, the king was tolerating the Idejo rebellion. So Prince Akinse­moyin began to mobilise his pri­vate force to subject the Idejos to the authority of the crown or be crushed. But the Idejos got wind of the threat and embarked on a plot to assassinate the prince.

News of these moves got to Oba Gabaro who, in order to avoid bloodshed, invited his younger brother and the Idejos. Akinse­moyin admitted his plan to over­run the Idejos because of their ar­rogance to the Oba. Unimpressed by his younger brother’s martial loyalty, Gabaro banished Akinse­moyin from Lagos, essentially to avoid bloodbath and make peace with the Idejos.

But before leaving for exile, Akinsemoyin, being a man of tra­dition and vision, soughtdivine guidance. He made contact with an Ijesha priest called Ifakorede better known as Baba Alagbigba. At the time, the oracle used by Ifakorede,Agbigba, was totally strange in Lagos.

Through divination, it was re­vealed that Akinsemoyin should accept his banishment, return to his mother’s native land (Apa kingdom). There he should per­form special rituals and sacri­fices. The oracle told him that in his mother’s native land, he would make contact with white-skinned foreigners and would acquire great wealth, power and fame. Akinsemoyin would become friendly with the Oba of Benin and would eventually come back to Lagos triumphant­ly to rule as Oba.

 

for food while only picking the pockets available to them.

Pickpockets come in differ­ent levels. There are the rough ones, amateurs and profession­als and they are both male and female. They dispossess people of their valuables, without us­ing force or weapons.

The professionals just move past you, before you’re aware, you have lost something! Alaba further disclosed that these ones are usually well-dressed, clean-faced and eloquent in speech. Some even drive classy cars and you will never suspect their ulterior motives. “You have all sorts of pickpockets and they have different modes of operation. Some are clean and educated and, gorgeously dressed, will go to events unin­vited looking for easy preys.

Some would even dress in the same uniform with friends and relatives of the celebrant, just to fit in and have easy picks of the crowd of prospective vic­tims.

They travel to other states or even out of the country to oper­ate, depending on their level,” explained Alaba. When asked how they get to know of these events, he disclosed to Daily Times that one of the fastest and major ways they get infor­mation is through the mass me­dia.

“I can tell you that most of these pickpockets read the newspapers and listen to the television and radio more than any other person. They know where and when any event is holding and who is hosting it. Some even go to these event ven­ues ahead of time to survey how the place is, so as to plan an easy entry and if need be, gain entry forcefully. Another thing is that most of them work in groups. They don’t work alone. Once one picks an item, he passes it on to members of his group. They also work in collaboration with the bouncers, security of­ficials and waiters at the occa­sion.

“They move very fast, and no­body, usually, notices anything until it’s too late, except the person who is knowledgeable in such things. However, for some, when there are no events to at­tend, they dress up every morn­ing and go to bus stops to oper­ate during the rush hours.”

“They always dress like a cor­porate office worker, who is set

Prince Akinsemoyin did all the oracle directed and proceeded on exile where he threw himself into trading. He went into supplies of spices, ivory palm oil and palm produce and slave trade. He did, indeed, get deeply involved with the Portuguese merchants and was able to speak and understand their language. In fulfillment of the Ifa oracle, Akinsemoyin ac­quired fame, wealth and power and was a force to reckon with in Apa kingdom. There he married an Apa woman named Sonate and had two children, Princess Fuji and Prince Pinishin.

About the year 1702, the seat of government moved from Iddo Island to Lagos Island after Oba Gabaro and the Idejos had agreed on some conditions. Iga Idunga­ran, meaning ‘palace on a pepper farm’ was granted Oba Gabaro, while he honoured his promise and elevayed the Idejos to heredi­tary Chiefs, making them perma­nent members of the Ose-Iga.

Some two years after the con­sensus, Oba Gabaro joined his an­cestors (died).

Chiefs from the Benin kingdom who were the king makers, sent for Akinsemoyin to become the next Oba of Lagos, an endorse­ment by the Oba of Benin of Akinsemoyin.

On his return to Lagos, aware that his arch enemies, the Idejos were now better positioned as hereditary titled Chiefs, Akin­semoyin came back with a large retinue of armed, trained slaves, captained by his two special war­lords, Egbe and Suenu. He was crowned the 3rd Oba of Lagos in 1704 amidst tight security.

 

The reign of Oba Akinsemoy­in (1704-1749)

Now on the throne, Oba Akinse­moyin’s reliable diviner, Ifakored­edecided it was time he returned to his native land, Ilesa to marry and raise his own family. But unwilling to let his diviner go, Akinsemoyin directed his only daughter, Princess Fuji to marry Ifakorede to secure the services of the priest.

But the princess turned down her father’s request.

Allentreaties fell on deaf ears. This refusal upset Oba Akinsemo­yin. But his step sister, Princess Erelu-Kuti, saved the situation by offering to marry Baba Alagbigba. That was how Alagbigba was per­suaded to remain in Lagos and give his life-long loyal and devoted service to Oba Akinsemoyin.

Akinsemoyin caused the mar­riage to be performed in his palace and at their wedding,pronounced Princess Erelu-Kuti as Erelu-Oba and a member of the kingmaker’s chieftaincy class known as the Akarigbere.

Princess Erelu-Kuti became pregnant in the second year of Oba Akinsemoyin’s reign and was delivered of a male child. The Oba who had waited patiently for this, ordered that the naming ceremo­ny be performed in his palace.

On the eight day, he adorned the infant prince with one of his robes and placed him on the throne, coral beads adorned the neck of the in­fant while all other royal parapher­nalia of office were put in place. Placing a white cap on the infant head, Akinsemoyin named the child Ikutire and, to the astonish­ment of all present, pronounced him his successor to the throne.

 

Oba Akinsemoyin’s multiple marriages

Oba Akinsemoyin reigned for 45 years, (1704-1749) succeeded by eight children. Apart from the first two children, Fuji and Pinishin (from his first wife, Sonate) both of who incurred the displeasure of their father, Oba Akinsemoyin later had other children from oth­er wives who now constitute the eight branches of the Akinsemo­yin Royal Family of Lagos. They include Ambose, Sadeko, Abisako, Gbosebi, Amore, Jolasun,Adeailu andArogba.

 

End of a glorious reign

Oba Akinsemoyin, the Olowo-Eko and Olori Ogun, died in 1749 and was succeeded by Oba Ologun­kutere, his nephew and son of his younger sister, Princess Erelu-Kuti.

This year’s Oba Akinsemoyin Day celebration teed off with a thanksgiving and Church service at the United African Methodist Church, Iduganran St, Isale Eko,on Sunday March 1. Wednesday, March 4 saw selected members of the royal branches and friends vis­iting motherless babies’ homes in Lagos, followed by the Traditional Day on Thursday March 5.

Daily Times was on time to witness the sacrifice and rituals at the Oju-Eegun (Sadeko Oba Akin­semoyin) shrine at the ancient family house, Simpson Street, Isale Eko on Thursday March 5.

Officiating Priest, Ishadepo Bi­osegun Akinsemoyin, told Daily Times that they gather before the shrine during the annual ceremo­ny to pray for all living Akinse­moyin descendants and celebrate those that have passed on. “This is to let their spirits rejoice in the knowledge that we acknowledge and celebrate his existence though no longer on the throne physically.”

On this day, young ladies of the royal house roused at dawn to pre­pare fried bean cakes aplenty. Bi­osegun explains the significance: “Everywhere,akara is used by the living to re-enact the right of pas­sage and praise those that have passed on. In tradition we call it Oju-Eegun. This rite is observed before sunrise; our daughters make haste to fry bean cakes and everyone, no matter their class or status, will eat of it. This in turn gives us the blessings of our ances­tors who are there in the heavens because they hear what we say.”

It was a full house when Daily Times team arrived at about 4 pm and met a scenario that was pictur­esque. Men, women and people of all age grades sat around picking their teeth. Empty bottles of wine littered the shrine floor. Anyone who was not eating eba and meat, had eaten and was just enjoying the convival atmosphere. A visi­tor would easily mistake them for ordinary folks enjoying a free meal and drinks. But no:

Daily Times learnt that every­one here was a descendant of Akin­semoyin royal family from the eight branches. Among them are techno­crats, top military personnel, busi­ness tycoons, members of the Bar and the Bench, bankers, mothers and grandmothers and traders of old Isale-Eko fame who all put away their businesses and official duties for this traditional day. And they did it as they did when they were children — straight from the heart and loving every minute of it.

“We killed a he-goat and a she-goat for this day celebration and as you can see, everybody has been around since morning, keep­ing touch with tradition. We use this event to learn and know the tradition, every step of the ritu­als and ceremonies which have been passed on to us from our ancestors,”explained the priest.

Friday March 6 was the Ju­mat Service at the Lagos Central Mosque where all the verses of the Holy Koran were recited. Saturday March 7 was the Sports Day while the grand finale was at the Boys Academy Junior High School, Simpson Street on Lagos Island.

Dignitaries from across the land graced the occasion, including Oba of Igbobi-Sabe. Awards were also given to deserving members and friends of the royal family.

Some of the awardees include Chief Adekunle Olaiya, Dr. Abio­dun Sule, Mrs. Serifat Folasade Jaji, Lawal Pedro, SAN and Solici­tor-General and Permanent Secre­tary, Ministry of Justice and Alhaji Ayinke among others.

Chairman of the organizing committee, Alhaji Prince Shakiru­deen Olatunji Giwa, of Ambose branch, told Daily Times he was happy the event had turned out as planned.

“We started since Sunday and to­day is the grand finale in the form of a jamboree; all eight branches of the family have been together, we have seen ourselves and revisited our roots in happiness and in joy.

“We have some of our mem­bers from America and Europe. Some here now even wished they had known on time because they would have brought friends and colleagues from abroad to rejoice with the Royal family.”

 

On this year’s celebration, Giwa said: “Today’s ceremony is to show­case ourselves to the country, espe­cially Lagos State, that the Akinse­moyin Royal Family still exists and very much on ground. Though it is true Oba Akinsemoyin is dead, his descendants are alive and are bent on taking our rightful position. We thank God that things are now tak­ing shape and by God’s Grace, in due course, we will get our right.

“We have been celebrating this every year successfully; but this year’s is more significant and most successful. Like some of the pro­grammes we did, though we have been doing it, not as elaborate as we did this year. Last year’s venue was so small it was like we just choked ourselves, but this year, we have so much space for all the branches. The merriment is most pronounced and significant.”

General Secretary of the Am­bose Family, Prince Abdulrasaq Tolani Oshodi Akinsemoyin, also of Ambose House had this to say: “As the name implies – Akinse­moyin Royal Day is for the remem­brance of our progenitors. It starts from Oba Asipa, Ado, Gabaro to Akinsemoyin who was the 3rd Oba of Lagos that ruled between 1704 to 1749, the longest reigned Oba in the history of Lagos to date.

Among all the Obas that have sat on that stool, Akinsemoyin was the most enterprising. He opened trade between Lagos and the out­side world; he made Lagos popular.

“You cannot mince words when you describe Oba Akinsemoyin because it is both the maternal and paternal side that were of Royal blood. Even I, standing here, the family comprises eight solid branches of which Ambose is the oldest, the first born.”

 

What does this Day celebration mean to people of Lagos State?

Captain Sule Abiodun Akinse­moyin chipped in: “Great in Lagos State because it is a rite that we must perform and we have done the three rites – the Christian, the Muslim, the traditional. And this is the grand finale and, as from to­day, you and Daily Times will be blessed. Children in Lagos will be blessed more and you will come back and say, Thank You God!”

Captain Sule Abiodun Akinse­moyin is the Provost and CEO of the Federal Marines, Lagos.

As the family branches, friends and well-wishers headed for home to meet again same time in 2016, prayers of blessings, good health rounded off the celebration

 

More pics from the celebration

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