As part of strategic consultations and mobilisation for the forthcoming Oyo Empire Day- a festival of unity designed to celebrate the grandeur and heritage of the Yoruba civilisation — the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Engr. Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has dispatched his representative, renowned Yoruba historian, Prince Sheriff Adebayo-Onisile, JP, on a special three-day mission to the Republic of Benin.
A release from the Alaafin’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, said the three-day mission to the Republic of Bénin provided an important opportunity for consultation, cultural diplomacy, reconciliation and mobilisation towards the forthcoming Oyo Empire Day Celebration.
The mission also reinforced the historical and cultural connections between the Oyo Empire and Yoruba communities in the Republic of Bénin.
The various meetings demonstrated considerable goodwill towards the Alaafin and his initiative to promote unity, peace, cultural preservation and stronger relationships among Yoruba communities across national boundaries.
The visit further generated enthusiasm for the proposed participation of Yoruba communities in the Republic of Bénin in the Oyo Empire Day Celebration, which is envisaged as a Festival of Unity and a Celebration of the Glory of Yoruba Civilisation.
The mission therefore represents another step towards strengthening the bonds between the Alaafin’s Palace, Yoruba traditional institutions and Yoruba communities throughout the Republic of Bénin and the wider Yoruba cultural sphere.
Among the places visited by Prince Adebayo- Onisile were Igolo where he was warmly received by His Royal Majesty, Ọba Dr. Rafiu Atanda Adesakin, the Aladjache of Adjache-Ile (Porto-Novo), Dr. Prince Sanni Adeniyi Oníkòyí, a retired Principal Lecturer at the Nigeria-French Village, Badagry; Prince Felix Agboluaje, the Olori Ebi of the Agboluaje Family of Ifonyin, and other aides of the Adjache Palace.
At a meeting with prominent Yoruba elders, politicians, sociocultural Association leaders and traders in Porto-Novo held at the Palace of the Aladjache (Alajase), Prince Onisile saiid that in modern life, where mobility and technology often fragment family ties, the practice of ancestral connection can restore a sense of belonging.
He stated that even when families are scattered or histories have been lost, intentional remembrance rebuilds continuity.
The well attended meeting focused on a number of important issues, including the challenges and concerns surrounding the unity of the Yoruba people in Porto-Novo; the preservation and promotion of Yoruba culture; the historical relationship between Dahomey and the Old Oyo Empire; the planned visit of the Alaafin to the Republic of Bénin; and preparations for the forthcoming Oyo Empire Day celebration
Also, Alaafin representative held meeting with Chief Clement Kouchade, Minister for Secondary Education and Bashorun of Pobeland in the Plateau Province.
The meeting which took place in his office at the seat of government, the Federal Secretariat in Cotonou, centred on issues relating to Oyo heritage in the Republic of Bénin, the historical and cultural ties between the Yoruba communities and Oyo, and the concerns of the Alaafin regarding the unity and peaceful coexistence of all Yoruba people in the Republic of Bénin.
Bashorun Clement Kouchade expressed his delight at the visit and conveyed his greetings to the Alaafin , who he described as the Titan of Yorubaland.
He commended Alaafin’s efforts and fatherly intervention towards promoting unity, mutual understanding and cultural interaction among the Yoruba and other ethnic communities in the Republic of Bénin.
The Minister further stated that the Government and people of the Republic of Bénin look forward to receiving the Alaafin in their country.
Among the notable Yoruba personalities present were; High Chief Sobaloju of Àjàṣẹ, El-Hadji Chief Ehysse Mahmoud, Alhaja Latifah Aduke, aka “Queen Latifah” President of Káàarọ-Ójiire Cultural Organisation in the Republic of Bénin, Hon. Wahabi Amadani, Officer in Charge of Socio-Cultural Cooperation between Nigeria and the Republic of Bénin, Professor Aminu Taofiki Agboluaje, retired Professor of Chemistry and former Vice-Chancellor, University of Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Bénin.
Others were Monsieur Bashir Gbadamosi Agboluaje, Dr. Chakirou Paraizo Agboluaje, retired Medical Doctor and Head of the Agboluaje Dynasty in the Republic of Bénin, Salako Rasaki, Yunousa Oranyan, and Prince Felix Agboluaje, the Olori Ebi of Agboluaje Dynasty in Ifonyin among others.
In the same vein, a crucial meeting was held with leaders of Ẹgbẹ Isokan Ọmọ Yoruba in the Republic of Bénin, together with representatives of the Agboluaje and Oníkòyí families.
The Oníkòyí family delegation was led by His Royal Majesty, Ọba Rafiu Atanda Adesakin, PhD, the Aladjache of Adjache-Ile (Porto-Novo) and a retired lecturer at the Nigeria-French Village, Badagry.
Other prominent personalities at the meeting included, Pa Oniloudé Éégoubiyi Macaire, a prominent indigene of Ketou, former Governor of Ouémé and Plateau Provinces of the Republic of Bénin, and currently Secretary-General of Ẹgbẹ Isokan Ọmọ Yoruba , Prof. Oyedekpo Mouftaou Laleye, former Ambassador of the Republic of Bénin to Nigeria and a prominent indigene of Sabe, Dr. Chakirou Paraizo Agboluaje, retired surgeon and an elder of the Agboluaje Dynasty worldwide.
Prince Onisile delivered the peace and unity message from the Alaafin, and discussed what is expected of the presence and appearances of the Yorubas from the Republic of Bénin at the Oyo Empire Day Celebration.
In their separate response, the leadership of Ẹgbẹ Isokan Ọmọ Yoruba expressed deep appreciation for the fatherly role being played by the Alaafin in promoting peace, reconciliation and unity, particularly among the Yoruba communities in Porto-Novo.
The elders pledged to work towards reconciling the various factions among the Yoruba in Porto-Novo and resolving their differences amicably, in the spirit of respect for Iku Baba Yeye, the Alaafin of Oyo.
Ẹgbẹ Isokan Ọmọ Yoruba in the Republic of Bénin serves as an umbrella body for indigenous Yoruba sociocultural clubs and organisations in the country.
The organisation is currently preparing for its annual anniversary ceremony, scheduled to take place in November 2026 in Ouidah, the historic city and internationally recognised tourist destination.
The last visit of Alaafin’s representative was Ayogo-Ile which is regarded as an ancient settlement with historical connections to Oyo-Ile. According to the traditional account presented during the visit of Alayogo and his subjects to the Alaafin, the ancestors of the Alayogo are linked to Ona-Efa, an emissary of the Alaafin who, together with his family, settled in the area on a mission to collect Isakole (tribute) on behalf of the Alaafin approximately four centuries ago and Alayogo is regarded as the Arole Alaafin in Ayogo-Ile Kingdom.
The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the historical relationship between Ayogo and the Oyo Empire, as well as the prospects of strengthening cultural and traditional relations between the community and the Alaafin’s Palace.
