15 Yoruba monarchs to receive awards, as Alaafin clocks 77

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo.
No fewer than 15 traditional rulers from the South-West, Kwara and Kogi states are to be conferred with post-humous awards of Royal Armour of Yoruba by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111.
Also a public lecture titled ‘Concepts and Values of the Alaafin in Yoruba-land’ is to be delivered by two eminent scholars, Professor Adele Jinadu of the University of Lagos and Professor Salihu Jubrin of the University of Ilorin.
The two events, which will take place on Saturday at the palace are part of activities to celebrate the birthday of the paramount ruler.
Alaafin will clock 77 on Thursday.
At a media briefing on Monday in Oyo town, one of the organisers of the programme, Mr. Babatunde Ilufoye, said they decided to celebrate the monarch as ‘’an epitome of pride, truth, courage and integrity’’, in view of his immensed contributions to the advancement of Yoruba
culture and traditions.
According to him, ‘’in general, a great many Nigerians though, in particular the Yoruba of all sections , would learn during the lecture, the conjunction of administrative prowess and a firm grasp of
events that were the natural endowements of Oba Atiba as he traversed the criss-cross of the politics of Yoruba Empire as both prince and the Alaafin.’’
Ilufoye explained that the lecture would also showcase lessons
derivable from Alaafin’s administration and why the constitution and the administration of this West-African pre-colonial empire presented a formidable fabric.
He further explained that the post-humous were for selected founders of Yoruba towns, especially those loyal and whose ancestral lineages were traceable to Oyo.
Ilufoye disclosed that selection were made from Osun,Ondo, Lagos, Kwara and Kogi States for the maiden programme, adding that since the event would now be done annually, other states would benefit in subsequent programmes.