The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has emphasized the importance of ancestral connection, saying it grounds people in continuity and purpose.
Oba Owoade stated this on Friday while receiving Princes and Princesses from Igbeji community in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, who traced their ancestral root to the Oyo Royal Dynasty.
The delegation was received at the ancient palace with fanfare and traditional drums.
In a release by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin said:
“In a world that often emphasizes individuality and forward movement, ancestral connection grounds people in continuity, as it reminds the soul that life is not a solitary journey but part of a much larger story.”
“When one feels adrift or uncertain, recalling the lives of ancestors provides stability. They too endured seasons of change, faced uncertainty, and found ways to persevere, as their stories become a compass for navigating our challenges of today.”
“This grounding is especially powerful in times of transition. A person who feels disconnected from their purpose may find strength in recalling the resilience of a great-grandparent Someone experiencing loss may find comfort in remembering that previous generations also bore grief yet found joy again. Ancestral connection offers perspective: the struggles of the present are part of a larger river of life that has always flowed toward renewal.”The Paramount Ruler further noted
He said further “Identifying with our ancestral roots enable us to understand the cultural roots and identities, learn from past mistakes to avoid repeating them, appreciate the struggles and triumphs of those before us, build critical thinking and analytical skills, and create a more informed and engaged society. The events in the past shows how change unfolds over time, reminding us that today’s issues are not isolated but part of a larger continuum.”
“The essence of a sense of history is an intuitive and deep awareness that all human actions, thoughts, and are shaped by time and continuous development. It goes beyond simple memorization of facts or dates to see how the past creates and complicates the present. It connects where we came from with where we are now, establishing a bridge between past realities and modern interpretations.”
“By understanding the patterns and consequences of previous actions, it gives us the perspective needed to navigate tomorrow. It helps individuals and societies avoid repeating past mistakes. It anchors societal norms, civic duty, and a shared sense of belonging.” He added
Oba Owoade congratulated the Igbeji Princes and Princesses for successfully identifying with their roots and assured them of his readiness to support and cooperate with them whenever the need arises
Earlier, spokesman for the delegation, Prince Dr. Jide Ajayi, said Igbeji was founded by Prince Adelakun, a direct son of Alaafin Atiba Atobatele, after migrating from Oyo. He said the traditional ruler of the town is styled Onigbeji of Igbeji land, reflecting its deep Oyo heritage.
He disclosed that though the town was historically populated by Oyo royal heirs, it has accommodated settlers of Egun and Ketu extractions over time.
Dr. Ajayi thanked renowned Yoruba historian, Prince Sherif Onisile-Adebayo, for assisting them in tracing their root, and appreciated Pa Prince Hassan Oranlola and Archbishop Emeritus Prince Lawrence Ayoade Ladigbolu for their earlier reception.
He described Oba Owoade as a formidable Paramount Ruler of Yorubaland and pledged their unalloyed loyalty to the throne.
In their remarks, Pa Oranlola, Archbishop Ladigbolu and Prince Onisile-Adebayo lauded the Igbeji people for identifying with their root and commended the Alaafin for preserving Yoruba history.
Prince Onisile-Adebayo charged Yoruba youths to embrace knowledge of their ancestry through education and the media to preserve Yoruba heritage.
