#Featured – Akure Sons & Daughters (Home & Abroad) https://aksadha.org.ng (Home & Abroad) Sun, 01 Oct 2023 12:56:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://aksadha.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/aksadha-favicon-60x60.png #Featured – Akure Sons & Daughters (Home & Abroad) https://aksadha.org.ng 32 32 The Beautiful Life of Alhaji Yayi Akorede – part-2 https://aksadha.org.ng/the-beautiful-life-of-alhaji-yayi-akorede-part-2/ https://aksadha.org.ng/the-beautiful-life-of-alhaji-yayi-akorede-part-2/#respond Sun, 01 Oct 2023 12:56:02 +0000 https://aksadha.org.ng/?p=506 Yayi’s Journey to the Holy Land – Hajj

One day, he decided it was time for him to perform hajj, he called one of his friends, who later became the 13th Elemo of Akure, late Chief Josiah Orisabinu Adedipe IV – Oboloyelekikan (1959 -1972). This Elemo was based in Osogbo, the reason why he’s refer to as Yagboyaju Osun Oshogbo. He was the Mayegun of Oshogbo then. Yayi inquired from him about the steps he could take that could get him to Saudi for lesser hajj. He believes Chief Adedipe would know because he based on Osogbo where Muslims were many some of those have been coming to Akure. Adedipe asked him to come to Oshogbo that he would connect him with some of his friends who were Alhajis.

This journey to mecca was one journey that baba Yayi Akorede embarked upon on foot. The journey took him a year and fourteen days, between 1954 and 1955.

He set out early in the morning, before nightfall, they got to Oshogbo. They were lucky to found an old british truck which took them to Ilorin as there was no or few vehicle then. From Ilorin, they boarded another truck which took them to the North. From there they continue to trek until they reach Maiduguri. They took boat to cross over lake Chad. On getting to Chad, they trekked and rode on
camel until they got to Sudan. On getting to Sudan they boarded a boat which took them to Jordan. From Jordan they took another boat to Jedah where they put on their clothes and cross to Saudi Arabia. In Medina they moved to Mecca their destination. When Baba Yayi saw the beauty of this City, he prefers stay there to returning to Akure. He later have another thought that if he stays in Saudi, who will tell his father and his people back home that he only wanted to stay in Saudi, otherwise he will be presumed dead.

Back home in Akure, his father was worried and did not know if he would ever return as there was no means of communication as at that time. He was the last child of his mother but as at that time he has no mother. Since death don’t give notice before it strikes, his father decided to share his property and left some part for him, in case he returns. The land where Yayi built his house at Idi-Agba near Asamo’s palace was part of the property his father willed for him.

As Allah wishes, Yayi returned from Mecca and was treated to heroic welcome amidst funfare. His return was celebrated in Akure because he was the first Alhaji in Akure and its environs. The then Deji, Oba Afunbiowo Adesida celebrated the return of one of his children.

Deji was so excited as nobody has achieved such feat before. He said Yayi has brought good things to Akure, meaning “Yayi ti ko ire de.” This was how he got himself a new name from the Deji. He was named AKOREDE – because he has brought good things to Akure. This was the name that overshadowed his other names. He was Alaba and also named Alawiye before he was given his muslim name, Quasim Abdul Salam. Till his death, everybody know him as Alhaji YAYI AKOREDE and Akorede has been established in his family.

He married his first wife in 1941. This woman couldn’t bear a child. After exhausting all the available means to get a child, his wife couldn’t continue with him and she left.

He married another and up to 16th times. Finally, he was left with five wives. He had many wives in order to solve the problem barrenness. Some of these wives who were lucky bear children but they die prematurely. This was the reason why they left him one after the other. He had to be replacing them until his prayer was answered.

After the demise of the first indigineous Chief Imam of Akure, Baba Salami Alake, on the 27th September, 1979, two days before the swearing-in of Adekunle Ajasin as the first civilian Governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Yayi Akorede became the Chief Imam of Akure land.

During his installation as the new Imam, Ilorin Monarch came to Akure to honour him. The monarch was so happy because he knew Yayi started learning of arabic study from them when they were in Akure. He did something significant that day for him. He unwrapped his turban, known as Alimi’s turban and wrapped it for Yayi. It’s a symbol of power and authority. Yayi was the first non Ilorin Indigene to enjoy this privilege. From that day Yayi became more powerful and invincible to curse Yayi Akorede involved himself in many progressive movement, so far it was in the interest and upliftment of his town Akure. Even without invitation, he will attend their meetings. He was also a member of boy scout and red cross.

When Islamic got to Akure in 1895 through one Alhaji Lawani, an Ilorin man, he established the old mosque at Arakale/Oke Aro junction beside Cash hold filling station. As the population kept on increasing and there was need to expand, Deji Afunbiowo gave them the land at the present location where the new mosque are today along Oba Adesida road. The wise Oba Afunbiowo gave them this site because he said wherever he go, mosque is always sited closer to the palace and market. The mosque development continues after Yayi returned from Saudi Arabia, and that was in 1955.

In continuation of Yayi’s effort to put Akure onto limelight, through islamic way that he knew most, he joined the Rabita group in 1962. Rabita is the league of imams and Alfas, headquartered in Ibadan. He always attend their functions and meetings in company of other imams from Ekiti, Akoko, Owo etc While doing this, the leaders in Ibadan were noticing it. They have on record his contribution to the growth of islam. They said this man that has been leading his other colleagues from Ondo to Ibadan deserve to be honoured. He was made the vice president, league of imams and alfa, West in 1985. He was not turbaned until 1992. After the death of the then Chief Imam of Ijebu Ode, Alhaji Parakoyi, who was the president, there was need to appoint another president for the league.

In August, 1995, there was a meeting at Ibadan. The meeting preceded the one where the new president will be announced and Yayi was seen as the favourite by the majority. During a speech, Yayi uttered a statement which changed the tide to his side. He said against his main opponent that where he came from, if one wants to be a muslim or a christian, that’s absolutely what he would be. Unlike his opponent who engaged in other religion. Those present understand what he was saying and unusual silence prevailed the big hall that day.

Political Impact

On the 11th, September 1995, he was announced as the new president of the league of imams and alfas (Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Edo and Delta). There was joy everywhere in Ibadan city.

The Victory news had filtered to Akure, and the whole state before he arrived. The Military Administrator at that time was Colonel Ahmed A Usman. He was waiting to receive and congratulate Yayi on this new feat. When he finally arrived, it was celebration galore. Unfortunately Oba Afunbiowo was not around to give him another name for this feat.

Government at all levels usually patronise Yayi because of his wisdom and boldness to tell the truth, especially when Government is having issues with the civil servants and the general publicĀ  During the Dec., 1997 phantom coup which involved the then Deputy Head of State, Gen Oladipo Diya, a yoruba man. There was a film show organised in Abuja. Some selected set of people were invited
from some states, especially south western states to come and watch the involvement of Diya where he was seen begging Abacha for forgiveness over his participation in the coup. Since it involves some yoruba men, all the Kabiesis and other prominent yoruba leaders were invited to Abuja to watch this video.

When it was Yayi’s turn, he watched the video but could not believe it’s real. He demanded to see Diya and asked him questions but was not granted. Alhaji Yayi Akorede whom the press, both local and international have been waiting for, stepped out and responded to a question thrown at him. He responded in broken english that, if your pikin steal and was reported to you, wasn’t it right for you to
see the pikin and ask from him why he steal before beating him? As if the pressmen were not satisfied yet, they asked Baba to repeat it in yoruba, which he did. Having heard this, all the selected leaders for that day started queuing behind him because no one has ever thought about what he said.

Those who followed the event then should be able to remember that those leaders, including some of the traditional rulers who have gone to the Abuja cinema house before Yayi, have been coming out condemning Diya and appealing openly to Abacha to temper justice with mercy. It was heard that time that ghana-must-go bags filled with money were always placed beside every seat of the viewers.

Alhaji Akorede has said his own to the press. He on behalf of other yoruba leaders had requested to see Diya so as to ask him some questions but was never granted. This stance might have been part of what tarry the execution of Diya and co since the Yorubas never agreed and convinced over the level of involvement of their son.

Before he left Abuja for Akure, he has warned the members of his entourage not to pick or collect anything given to them. They left Abuja at dawn and left behind all that was given to them as gift When Alhaji Akorede got to Akure, the the Gov, Mike Onyearugbulem was the first to welcome him and he asked him why they left behind all that were given to them. He wanted to know maybe the Chief
Imam did not like the Head of state and why it was so. Yayi said No, that the gift was actually bribe him. Mr Governor then pleaded with baba that he will give him another gift himself which he rejected. He said he would have taking it if there was no issue on ground. It was discovered later that Abacha was angered with this action of Akorede which has given their plan on the coup plotters a serious
setback.

Onyearugbulem was replaced, maybe as a result of his inability to win Yayi’s heart. Yet, the government at the national level still kept grudges with him. Alhaji Akorede got a security report that he would be attacked. He said no problem that only a bullet kills. As God will has it, the news was broken the next day that Abacha has died mysteriously. Diya and others were saved.

In politicking, baba was good, despite the fact that he was not a real politician. He did not belong to any political party. Any movement that is for the betterment of the society he got involved. During the NADECO days, they most times met in his sitting room. During the creation of Ondo State, his suggestion led to quick resolution on the way forward. If not so, Osun would have gotten their state
before us. This contribution made Adekunle Ajasin unofficially pronounced him as the father of Ondo State.

On the 17th December, 2006, Alhaji Quasim Alaba Alawiye Yayi Akorede died. When it was burial time, christian representatives were present because they claimed the burial arrangement should involved everyone as he was their father and leader. They were led by Bishop Ipinmoye.

Alhaji Yayi Akorede was honoured and buried in a place in the Akure Central Mosque.

That was the end of an Icon.

Special thanks to the following people
Alhaji Abdul Hakeem Adekunle Akorede, the Chief Imam of Akure
Alhaji Layi Gidado.

SOMI AJAYI

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The Beautiful Life of Alhaji Yayi Akorede – part-1 https://aksadha.org.ng/the-beautiful-life-of-alhaji-yayi-akorede-part-1/ https://aksadha.org.ng/the-beautiful-life-of-alhaji-yayi-akorede-part-1/#respond Sun, 01 Oct 2023 12:38:03 +0000 https://aksadha.org.ng/?p=504 There is no denial in the fact that Alhaji Yayi Akorede was a symbol of unity between Christians and Muslims during his lifetime. This assertion was obvious during his lifetime.

Alhaji Yayi Akorede was born in September 1910 in Akure. He came from a royal house, Deji Orudu (1735-1748) lineage, the 27th Deji. His father was once the Obagbuagun of Akure. His mother was a descendant of Obele, whose father’s name was Faji. This woman was so powerful because she was a strong traditionalist. Whenever she’s coming to the Palace she always enters through men
entrance(ona okunrin) instead of women entrance(ona obinrin). Whenever this happened there must be a fowl sacrifice. This define how powerful she was. Yayi also has Oba-Ile connection through his mother, the reason why he’s being eulogised as “eji oba omo olale“.

His great-grandfather was chief Asamo Akodi Olooro. Asamo Akodi beget Olugbola. Olugbola beget Abdusalam Ojo. Abdusalam beget Yayi Akorede. Therefore he was a relative of Asamo. So, it’s not a surprise that Baba Yayi’s house was situated beside Asamo’s palace at Udi-Agba near Adedeji market His father, being a Prince love people who dressed in big cloths like that of Muslims. So he picked interest in the way those muslim dressed in big attires and he joined the first set of worshippers in Akure in 1894. It was then his name was changed to Abdusalam.

YAYI’S EARLY DAYS

Alhaji Yayi AkoredeYayi Akorede has no western education, he started as a Cloth Weaver and selling apprentice. He and his brothers, Yusuf and Arowolo were serving in the same place. They as well assist their father in the farm. It got to a time when the islam missionary came to Akure from Ilorin to teach people about their religion. He joined them, under the tutelage of one Alfa Aminu. Yayi was aged 10 as at that time. His father actually took him there out of fear that the christian missionary who have just came with their religion might convert him to christianity.

In 1938, in his quest to gain more knowledge, he went to his uncle, whose name was Saliu Ajijola. Ajijola resides in Ado Ekiti. He spent some times in Ado, then Saliu took him to Ijebu Ode for more knowledge in Islamic doctrine. After this sojourn he returned to Akure. Still thirsty for more knowledge he proceeded to Alfa Rufai in Oke Are in Ibadan. He finally returned to Akure to begin his career as a
Preacher in 1939.

He started his missionary work and he improved his mode of dressing which was different from those few others around. Atimes he would been seen in a suit wear knotting a tie before putting on a very big nice Jalabiah. His appearance always stunned people around as they rarely see such on other Alfas around. Like Akure people, they say what they saw exactly the way it is. When they see baba going, they’ll start saying, “Alfa yi ma ya ‘yi o” meaning, this Alfa is stunningly beautiful. This was how he got his name “YAYI.” His original name was Alaba because his mother had a twins before him. Many Alfas then started copying his style.

Yayi was so brave and he believes so much in Allah. There was a time he went on a journey to Okene. When he got to Uso, besides Owo, he met some ritualist performing rites, he was threatened and surrounded but he was not afraid, he passed them by and nothing happened. There was a day also that he met some cultists on his way. These cultists have been waiting for him to return so that they
can deal with him for daring them. They waited and waited but in vain. Unknown to them, he had passed behind them and already in Akure preaching in front of Deji’s palace. They later met with him and asked to know what he did to get pass them. He told them it was the God that covered their faces. From that day they became his friends. He made all those journeys barefooted, as there was no
means of transportation then.

 

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Oba Alebiosu Obadua Ojijigogun Arosoye I, the 40TH Deji of Akure Kingdom https://aksadha.org.ng/oba-alebiosu-obadua-ojijigogun-arosoye-i-the-40th-deji-of-akure-kingdom/ https://aksadha.org.ng/oba-alebiosu-obadua-ojijigogun-arosoye-i-the-40th-deji-of-akure-kingdom/#respond Sat, 20 Aug 2022 01:26:42 +0000 https://themeger.shop/wordpress/katen/?p=52 The 40TH DEJI OF AKURE KINGDOM

Oba Alebiosu Obadua Ojijigogun Arosoye l, was born as Prince Alebiosu Obadua of the Asodeboyede dynasty. He became the Deji of Akure in 1890 and reigned for 7 years. He was the son of Oba Ojijigogun Arakele, the Deji of Akure from 1852-1882. He had two half brothers: Prince Olofinlade Afunbiowo (later Adesida l ) and Prince Ifaturoti Adegoroye and many other siblings.

His father was the son of Oba Arakale, who was executed by the Benin Empire, and his older uncle was Oba Osupa I. Several years before his birth, the Kingdom of Benin had invaded his father’s homeland and executed Oba Arakale, his paternal grandfather.The invaders spared his father’s family, and they lived in Benin until the 1830s.

In 1882, when the Deji of Akure – his father Oba Ojijigogun Arakele died, this created a vacancy in the office, and several eligible princes sought the throne, including Prince Alebiosu Obadua two siblings, Afunbiowo and Ifaturoti and his first cousin, Odundun I. Oba Odundun was ultimately selected, and was crowned shortly afterwards. Prince Alebiosu Obadua sought the throne again in 1890 when Odundun died and finally won. He reigned for a short time of seven years and died in 1897. After his death, His daughter Princess Aladerukube Aladejana became the Regent. His younger half-brother, Oba Olofinlade Afunbiowo Adesida l, later became the king and ruled thereafter for 60 years making him the longest reign Deji in Akure history and ever since then, the descendant of Oba Arosoye never became the King.

Question

  1. Where are the descendant of Oba Arosoye l ?
  2. Are they still in Akure?
  3. Is it still possible for them to become a King again after more than a century?

All these questions will be answered alongside the full biography of Oba Oba Alebiosu Obadua, Arosoye l which will be published on this platform.

STAY TUNED !
By Oluwafemi Omodara

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