AKINLOLU FAWEHINMI: HISTORICAL CORNER
The 40th Deji of Akure Kingdom.
Oba Alebiosu OBADUA OJIJIGOGUN AROSOYE
1, was born as prince ALEBIOSU OBADUA of the Asodeboyede dynasty. He became the
Deji of Akure in 1890 and reigned for seven years. He was the son of Oba
Ojijigogun Arakale, the Deji of Akure that reigned from 1852- 1882. He had two
half brothers: prince Olofinlade Afunbiowo and prince Ifatunroti Adegoroye.
His father Ojijigogun was the son of
Oba Arakale, Who was executed by the Benin Empire, while his uncle was Oba
Osupa 1.
Several years before his birth, the
kingdom of Benin had invaded his father's family and they lived there until the
1830’s.
In 1882, when the Deji of Akure, his
father ,Oba Ojijigogun Arakale died. This created a vacancy in the office and
several eligible princes sought the throne including prince ALEBIOSU OBADUA's
two siblings , Afunbiowo and Ifatunroti and his first cousin, Odundun 1.
Oba Odundun was ultimately selected
and was crown 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 1, later became the King and ruled thereafter for
60 years making him the longest reigning Deji in the history of Akure and ever
since then, none of the descendants of Oba AROSOYE has ever become the king.
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| Dr. Akinlolu Fawehinmi writes from Lagos, Nigeria |
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