Alaafin visits Ilaro, reaffirms centuries-old Oyo-Yewa ties

By James Ogunnaike

The ancient town of Ilaro, headquarters of Yewaland in Ogun State, was alive on Friday as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Akanni Owoade, paid a historic courtesy visit to the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba (Dr.) Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, in a colourful ceremony that celebrated the shared ancestry and enduring cultural ties between the ancient kingdoms of Oyo and Yewa.

The royal visit attracted members of the Yewa Council of Obas, traditional rulers, chiefs, community leaders, prominent sons and daughters of Yewaland, as well as thousands of residents who lined the streets to welcome the Alaafin and his entourage.

Held at the Oba Bi Olorun Kosi Private Palace in the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Ilaro, the reception featured colourful cultural displays by Gelede, Egungun and Isogbeto performers, underscoring the rich Yoruba cultural heritage shared by both kingdoms.

Speaking during the reception, the Alaafin described Ilaro as one of the most peaceful, hospitable and progressive communities he had visited, stressing that the people of Oyo would always regard the people of Ilaro as members of the larger Oyo family because of their common ancestry.

The Alaafin said, “This visit is more than a courtesy call. It is a reunion of brothers and a reaffirmation of the centuries-old bond between Oyo and Ilaro. Our history and ancestry remain inseparable”.

The monarch also reflected on his personal connection with the town, recalling that he first came to Ilaro in 1995 as a student of the then Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, now the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro (FUTI).

According to him, living in the town as a young prince gave him the opportunity to experience the warmth, hospitality and peaceful disposition of its people.

“I lived in Ilaro as a student and experienced first-hand the warmth of its people. They were peaceful, highly cultured, intelligent and exceptionally accommodating. At the time, I knew I was a prince from Oyo, but I never imagined destiny would one day place me on the throne of the Alaafin.”

Oba Owoade expressed delight at the remarkable transformation of the town since his student days, saying the level of infrastructural development, particularly along the Orita-Ilaro axis, was impressive.

“Ilaro has completely changed. The town now has a modern look that differs from what I knew as a student many years ago. The development is truly commendable, especially the road network.”

The Alaafin commended successive administrations in Ogun State for sustaining development in Ilaro and acknowledged the contributions of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) to infrastructural growth in Ogun West.

He also paid glowing tribute to his host, Oba Olugbenle, describing him as a visionary monarch whose leadership had brought unprecedented growth and stability to Ilaro and Yewaland.

According to him, the Olu of Ilaro has continued to demonstrate genuine friendship and brotherhood through his close relationship with the Oyo Royal Family, while his role as Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas has further strengthened the institution of traditional rulership in the state.

Earlier, the Onimasayi of Imasayi, Oba Lukmon Kuoye, and the Aboro of Ibese, Oba Rotimi Mulero, described the Alaafin’s visit as a historic homecoming, noting that their communities also trace their origins to the ancient Oyo Empire.

They expressed optimism that the visit would further deepen cultural cooperation and strengthen the historical relationship among Yoruba communities with roots in Oyo-Ile.

Welcoming the Alaafin, the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Olugbenle, described the visit as a landmark event in the history of Ilaro and Yewaland, saying it reaffirmed the historical account that the people of Ilaro migrated from Oyo-Ile.

“Your Majesty’s visit has further validated our shared history and common heritage. The people of Ilaro remain proud descendants of the ancient Oyo Empire, and the values of peace, discipline and respect for tradition that define our community are enduring legacies of that ancestry.”

Oba Olugbenle thanked the Alaafin for honouring the invitation despite his busy schedule and formally invited him to attend the 2026 Oronna Ilaro Festival.

He also disclosed that members of the Yewa Council of Obas and the Olu-Ilaro-in-Council would pay a reciprocal royal visit to Oyo before the end of the year.

The reception drew an impressive gathering of traditional rulers from across Yewaland, members of the Olu-Ilaro-in-Council, community leaders, Baales and other distinguished personalities, who described the visit as another milestone in strengthening inter-kingdom unity and preserving Yoruba cultural heritage.

The visit marked another significant chapter in the long-standing relationship between the ancient kingdoms of Oyo and Ilaro, reinforcing their shared heritage and commitment to preserving the cultural values that continue to unite the Yoruba people.

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