“I Don’t Know Any Title in Yorubaland Superior to Alaafin” — Oluwo

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has declared that he does not recognize any other traditional title in Yorubaland as superior to that of the Alaafin. He made this statement on Tuesday, June 3, during a courtesy visit by the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, to his palace in Iwo, Osun State.

Oba Akanbi described the Alaafin title as the highest among Yoruba traditional institutions, stating that it has historic and ancestral ties to Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race. “I don’t know any other title in Yorubaland that is superior to the Alaafin. It is the title Oranmiyan adopted, and I will adopt the same saying,” he said.

The Iwo monarch went a step further, expressing his desire to be henceforth referred to as the “Alaafin of Iwo” and promised to inform relevant authorities of this proposed change. He commended the humility and exposure of the new Alaafin, adding that Oba Owoade’s reign would bring peace and development to Oyo and strengthen ties between the two towns.

Earlier, the newly crowned 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Owoade, thanked the Oluwo for attending his April coronation and for congratulating him shortly after he was announced as the Alaafin-elect. He said the visit was part of efforts to maintain the cordial relationship that has long existed between Oyo and Iwo, especially during the tenure of his predecessor, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.

Oba Owoade, who was accompanied by his wife, Olori Abiwumi, and a delegation of Oyo chiefs, urged other traditional rulers in Iwoland to continue supporting the Oluwo in fostering development in the region.