An Oyo Prince and a frontline contender to the throne of alaafin of oyo and a biological grandson of the 2nd longest reigned Alaafin of oyo (Oba Abubakar Siyanbola Oladigbolu) Prince Siyanbola Oladigbolu told our correspondent how his grandfather and great-grandfather contributed immensely to both social economic and the current cultural status of nigeria.
According to the prince royale, the history behind the formation of nigeria can never be completed without including the pivotal roles played by Alaafin Siyanbola Oladigbolu. He ascended the throne in 1911 when there was nothing called what is today nigeria.
Nigeria was birthed right in his two hands. Two years after his ascension to the throne of his forefathers. Though the arrangements have been on during the reign of his predecessor and his father. Alaafin Muhammad lawal Amubieya agogo-oja who reigned between 1905-1911. However, it was finalised two years after the ascension of alaafin Oladigbolu precisely in 1914.
Alaafin oladigbolu had already secured a very cordial relationship with the government of sir Lord Luguard within the space of two years on the throne. He got a limited purchase order (LPO) on August 25 ,1914, to supply goods during the First World War, and that made him the first yoruba monarch to have access to such a privilege.
When the final conclusion was to be made between northern, southern protectorate and the lagos colony.
The 33 years reigned, and the 2nd longest serving alaafin of oyo right from inception of Orayan throne, after the immediate past alaafin Adeyemi who reigned for 53 years, Alaafin abubakar akanbi adedokun Siyanbola Oladigbolu was one and only yoruba monarch in attendance on behalf of Oyos, Egbas, ijebus, Ijesas et c during official amalgamation . The documents were acknowledged singularly by alaafin siyanbola on behalf of Yorubas and were guided by a renowned yoruba legal icon, Kitoye Ajasa. who later became a Judge of the High Court of Lagos. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1924 on his Birthday and was also made a knight in 1928 . He was the first Nigerian to be knighted. Ajasa remained a legislator until 1933. He (Ajasa), whose relationship has been surified by one of the illustrious sons of oyo alaafin and the founder of the First nigeria political party (NNDP), formed in 1923,Herbert Macaulay. a biological grandson of the founder of a Yoruba linguist, clergyman, and the first African Anglican bishop of West Africa. Samuel ajayi crowther, born in Osogun area of oyo . Ajayi crowther has been a long friend to alaafin Siyanbola Oladigbolu before he (Siyanbola) ascended the throne. Crowther passed away on December 31st, 1891, at the age of 82 years. 21 years later, his bosom friend, then prince aremo Siyanbola Oladigbolu, ascended the throne as alaafin of oyo.
Alaafin siyanbola had to transfer the love he had for ajayi crowther to his grandson, Herbert Macaulay. Oba ladigbolu passed away on December 19, 1944, while Macaulay himself also passed away two years later. on the 7th of May 1946, at the age of 81 years. May their souls continue to rest in perfect peace.
Below are the six nigerians who acknowledged the marriage certificate that gave birth to what is today’s NIGERIA.
1. The imperial majesty, Alaafin siyanbola oladigbolu
2. Usuman Dan Maje, who later became Emir of Kano
3. Sir Kitoyi Ajasa, a lawyer
4. HRH Maiturare Sarkin Mussulumi and Sultan of Sokoto
5. HRH R Henshaw (Obong of Calabar)
6. Abubakar Shehu of Borno
This is history that is available in several books of history and as easy to get as a sachet water.
Alaafin throne was the first yoruba stool to be honoured with the commander of St Michael and St George (CMG).
Alaafin Siyanbola Oladigbolu
During the First World War, there was a massive shortage of military personnels. the youths were running from being picked to join the army. This happened in the same Durbar, oyo. Lord lugard told alaafin oladigbolu to use his power to force youths to join the army, which the alaafin declined. However, he advised Lord lugard to triple the salary . Even if they don’t want to join the army for God’s sake, they’ll join for the sake of money. And that was exactly what played out.
Alaafin Lawani Agogo-ija
The highest court of law in yoruba-land before and during the colonial era was the same building (agbala kooko) standing tall in the palace of oyo up to date.
Alaafin was the only yoruba monarch with power to give a verdict on both death sentence and life imprisonment, regardless of the status of the offender. There were about six yoruba monarchs. mentioning their names are baseless. They offended government, and they were sent to prison in oyo Palace.
Alaafin has never , and can never be compared with any oba in yoruba-land.
Whatever anyone could think of, alaafin did it first.
No one should expect such a position to be handled by a functionally insane person or a properly configured rookie.
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