Oore of Moba Denies Conferment of ‘Okanlomo of Yorubaland’ Title, Affirms Ooni’s Pan-African Royal Authority
Oore of Moba Denies Conferment of ‘Okanlomo of Yorubaland’ Title, Affirms Ooni’s Pan-African Royal Authority
The Oore of Otun-Ekiti and paramount ruler of Mobaland, His Royal Majesty Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, has dismissed claims that the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, conferred the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on any individual.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Akogun Banjo Ayinde, the monarch described the reports as misleading, stressing that Ooni has neither conceived nor installed anyone as Okanlomo of Yorubaland.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ooni has never conceived it, talk less of installing anybody as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland. We therefore challenge anyone with verifiable evidence that Ooni has traditionally or culturally installed such a title on anyone to present it to the public,” the statement read.
The Oore emphasized that the House of Odùduwà extends beyond Yorubaland into several African territories, including the Itsekiri in Delta State, Benin Kingdom, the Ga and Ashante in Ghana, and the Luo tribe in Uganda. He noted that Ooni’s role as the Arole Odùduwà transcends narrow chieftaincy titles and focuses on the unification of the Odùduwà descendants globally.
Since ascending the throne, Ooni has conferred only three major titles deeply rooted in tradition and spirituality: the Odole Oodua (bestowed on Sir Dr. Adebutu Kensington), Iyalaje Oodua (on Princess Dr. Toyin Kolade), and Yeye Oodua (on Erelu Abiola Dosumu).
“Ooni, revered not merely as a king but as a deity across the Odùduwà race, does not distribute titles frivolously. His preoccupation rests on peace, unity, and development across Yorubaland and beyond,” the Oore stated.
He highlighted Ooni’s numerous investments and initiatives, including Inagbe Grand Resort in Lagos, Ife Grand Resort and Industrial Hub in Ile-Ife, Ojaja University in Ilorin, and several Ojaja Parks and business ventures across Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti States, which collectively provide thousands of jobs for Yoruba youths.
The monarch further dismissed attempts to drag the Ooni into what he described as “fruitless struggles for emperorship,” noting that global constitutional democracies have long replaced ancient territorial conquest.
“The descendants of Odùduwà know their natural father and origin. Leadership is never by forceful enthronement or empty threats, but by service, wisdom, and natural acceptability. That is what Ooni represents,” the statement added.
The House of Odùduwà reaffirmed its commitment to unity, peace, and prosperity across Yorubaland and Africa, urging the public to disregard what it described as mischievous interpretations of court judgments being cited against the Ooni.
