The Alaketu of Ketu, Oba Akanni Aderomola Adedunloye, reputed to be the first son of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race but cut away from his kinsfolk as a result of the colonial division of Africa has revealed that his bond with his ancestry and his kith and kin in Nigeria remains cordial and intact despite the colonial divide.
Oba Adedunloye made this known while speaking newsmen recently in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, at the Opening Ceremony of the international conference on “Comparative African History And Borderlands Studies” held at the Cultural Center, Kuto, Abeokuta.
According to Alaketu, he never for once forget his ancestral land and as the first son to receive the crown of his father, Oduduwa, he not only treasure and glory in the rich cultural heritage of his people, he oils it unceasingly, despite being across the border in another country.
He revealed that until the demise of the late Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, they had a thriving relationship which was nurtured on exchange of personal visits, emissaries and constant touch.
Alaketu said he has such relationship with several Obas and chiefs strewn across Yoruba land, noting that one of such very cordial relationship is what he has going with the Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Alabi Olanite, Egi-Ogboye, Akanki iv who was also at the conference.
He explained that Yoruba as a people has a very thriving culture, strengthened by a strong bond hence the cordiality existing among them wherever they found themselves.
Asked how he came to be chosen as the Alaketu after the demise of his predecessor, the former teacher turned custom officer said Oba comes from five lineages in Ketu but he was chosen by Ifa.
He stressed that nobody can ascend the throne in Yoruba land without Ifa’s concord. He insisted that Ifa as an Oracle is sacrosanct to Yorubas adding that nothing can be done without the oracle.
Oba Adesina who claimed to be the fifty first on the throne of Alaketu and had spent six years hence on the throne *noted that when he dies, he would be buried according to the rites of his fathers and not otherwise.
He said there would be no drumming or markets for a period of time while the rituals last. He asserted that he came to the throne via rituals, he would be bid farewell via rituals and another would be welcomed to the throne via rituals.
The international conference on “Comparative African History And Borderlands Studies” which was graced by Oba Adesina, the Alaketu was held in honor of Emeritus Prof. Anthony Ijaola Asiwaju whose father hailed from Ketu and his mother from Imeko in Nigeria.
