Alaafin in Igbo-Ora, Stresses on confounding power of cultures, significance of twins in Yorubaland

By

Bode Durojaiye

Yesterday's road-trip led dignatories and people from all walks of life to Igbo-Ora, a small town in Oyo State reputed for having a large occurrence of twin births.

Only two other towns in the world share this phenomenon - Kodinhi, India and Candido, Brazil, but Igbo-Ora has the largest population.

Igbo-Ora, is famously known as the “Twin Capital of the World.”

It is believed that one in every four births in this community results in twins. This rate is incredibly high, considering that the global average is estimated at one in every 80 births.

The phenomenon of twinning in Igbo-Ora has been a topic of interest for decades, and researchers have been studying the town to try and unravel the mystery behind it. While there is no conclusive evidence to explain the high rate of twin births in the community, many theories have been put forward.

The people of Igbo-Ora have a deep cultural appreciation for twins, and they are viewed as a symbol of good fortune and a source of pride in the community. Twins are often referred to as “Ibeji,” which means “double birth.” The town celebrates Twins Festival annually, which attracts people from all over the world who have an interest in twinning.

Apart from the fascination with twins, Igbo-Ora is also a beautiful town with a rich cultural heritage. The community is known for its skilled craftsmen who create exquisite wooden carvings that are sold all over Nigeria and beyond. The town is also home to the popular Oke-Mosan Hill, which provides a panoramic view of the town and its surroundings.

Igbo-Ora is a unique town in Nigeria that has gained worldwide attention due to its high rate of twin births. While the mystery behind this phenomenon remains unsolved, the town continues to celebrate and cherish its twins, who are viewed as a blessing to the community.

Against this background and in its annual practise, the Oyo State Government , through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ibarapa Central Local Government and in conjunction with TWC Intercontinental today celebrated 2025 World Twins Festival in Igbo- Ora town.

The theme of this year's celebration is " Twinning For Youth Re-orientation And Empowerment ".

The festival which attracted hundreds of twins and their families, also featured traditional music, dances, and rituals to honour the twins and seek blessings from Ibeji.

Symbolically, a mother of twins presented her children to both the Alaafin and Ayaba , after which His Imperial Majesty carried the twins before they were returned to their mother amid admiration from the crowd.

The well attended event was colourful, as the Alaafin and his entourage were warmly received by traditional rulers from Ibarapa area of the State amid drumming and panegyrics with thunderous shouts of "" Iku Baba Yeye"" from the surging crowd.

In his address, the Alaafin of Oyo , His Imperial Majesty, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, said Yoruba people are blessed with diverse cultural systems that are distinctly unique in their operations.

According to him, ""from their language to marriage, to birth or naming

ceremony, to leadership, and most significantly their songs, chants

and folks are deeply rooted in all the Yoruba cultural systems .

""For instance, there are praise poetries and songs for children of various

birth circumstances such as Ibeji (twins). The popular question is expressed with astonishment when one sees two humans who look very similar, especially of the same sex, possibly even wearing identical clothing. Yet, as fascinating as it is, twin births are not as rare as you probably think; one in every twelve Nigerian is a twin"".

Alaafin' who was accompanied by his pretty and charming Queen Consort, Ayaba Abiwunmi, stated that twins hold a unique and revered position in Yoruba culture.

By Bode Durojaiye, 

Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Paramount Ruler of Oyo Kingdom and the Superior Head of Yorubaland

PRESS RELEASE : Killings in Ilorin — Alaafin takes proactive steps to fish out perpetrators, checkmate criminal onslaughts

The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, ,has called on Nigerians to stand together against blood guzzlers and enemies of state, nature, and sound reasoning, who take solace in mindless killings of innocent souls.

This, he said would reinforce collective will, to completely snatch the country and destiny from the jaws of insanity and barbarism, just as socio-cultural orientations that uphold the sanctity of life and the intrinsic dignity in the human person must never be surrendered to the ungodly.

Oba Owoade gave the admonition on the heels of recent killings of some people who were  of Yoruba' extraction by those suspected as Fulani herdsmen at Oke Ode  area in Kwara State.

Disturbed about this ugly development , and putting into consideration the fact that Yorubas and Fulanis had  for decades been living harmoniously without let or hindrance,  Alaafin had  contacted the Kwara State Governor,  AbdulRahman  AbdulRasaq on the incident and how best he could come in , in order to nip in the bud the criminal onslaught by the bandits.

The Governor in his response lauded the Alaafin for his concerned , visionary style of administration and as the Titan of Yorubaland , assured the Paramount Ruler that a battalion of soldiers had been deployed to the scene of the gory incident .

The  Alaafin who lamented about the mindless killings masterminded by suspected Fulani herdsmen  wondered why the herdsmen became threats to peace and security, adding they had for long been in existence without serious criminal records as is presently the case.

Oba Owoade enjoined the Federal Government to ensure that all those found culpable in the mindless killings in Kwara State are brought to justice and to serve as a credible deterrence.

According to the Alaafin, ‘’there can be no national development without relative peace and stability.  There have been greater challenges of security in recent times than at any point in time in our history, thus rendering our political stability fragile, democratic institutions and processes fluid,

"" Government, political leaders and followers, and all of us, must have the courage and honesty to get to the root causes of our current state of insecurity, underpinned by criminality, insurgency and of recent terrorism by herdsmen’’.

He went further,  "’Our leaders and followers should not take  the issue of security for granted, but to ensure urgent and immediate steps  are taken to consciously respond to current threats by architectonic designing and building a security system which would create a stable and relatively peaceful environment, conducive for national development. We must accept the reality that while it is necessary to create unity in diversity, we must identify and respect our differences, which is diversity in unity"".

While eulogizing security agencies for their steadfastness and commitment to duties, Alaafin who warned against acts that are detrimental to peace, orderliness and unity of the country, assured all ethnic groups living in the metropolis of adequate protection of lives and properties.

‘’Before now, Oyo Empire under the reign of Alaafin not only remained the first to provide cattle ranches for Fulani herdsmen in Yoruba land, another ten acres of land were made available for convenience of the herdsmen free of charge, in order to ensure harmonious relationship and peaceful co-existence among all ethnic groups residing in the metropolis’’.

Oba  Owoade added, ‘’whenever there are skirmishes between farmers and the hersmen, the Royal Father would adopt his age-long conflict resolution mechanisms, which provides opportunity to interact with the parties concerned, promotes consensus-building, social bridge reconstructions and enactment of order in the  Empire"".

                            

Bode Durojaiye, Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Paramount Ruler of Oyo Kingdom and the Superior Head of Yorubaland

OLUBADAN CORONATION: HONOURS, ENCOMIUMS FOR ALAAFIN IN IBADAN, AS RESIDENTS THUNDEROUSLY ROARED, " IKU BABA YEYE, AUTHENTIC HEAD OF YORUBALAND"

It was honours and encomiums galore for the Titan of Yorubaland, His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin and Paramount Ruler of Oyo Kingdom, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, today  in Ibadan ,Oyo State Capital ,  as elated residents could not hold back their support and love for the Paramount Ruler.

Alaafin' was in the State capital door the coronation of the new Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Adewolu  Ladoja.

The happy - looking residents, including the praise chanters,  on sighting the motorcade of the Alaafin moved closer and continuously roared "" Iku Baba  Yeye, Olori gbogbo Oba Ile Yoruba'", amid panegyric by the praise chanters. 

Alaafin & Olugbo

Findings revealed that the residents , both young and old have been closely monitoring the activities of Oba Owoade since ascended the throne of his forefathers and we're of the conviction that the Alaafin  has truly 

established a successful brand as ""a Builder of strong bridges of

understanding and brotherhood, not only aiming traditional rulers in Yorubaland,  but across the country.

Another testimony to Alaafin's  legacy, according to some residents was that the

quintessential Monarch has consistently used his exalted position to

send to Nigerians, irrespective of religious, or ethnic backgrounds that with him, leadership of oneness and true friendship with others remain his fulcrum.

Alaafin & Sultan 

" The  hard earned reputation of  this detribalised Monarch, the Alaafin,  as an

inspirational, strong and visionary leader; a relentless bridge builder and a missionary for hope and his constant message of peace, love and harmony have endeared him to the hearts of many Nigerians. That is what we are telling the world today"", some of the residents confided .

Others spoke about Oba Owoade's stylish in appearance, saying  "" he is an handsome man with grace and elegance".

"" Honestly, he is Royal Father who is  pleasingly ingenious and simple. His natural elegance and complement always amaze us. Who will see him ( Alaafin) and not admire, love or envy him"", they asserted.

 Bode Durojaiye, 

Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Paramount Ruler of Oyo Kingdom and the Superior Head of Yorubaland.

A Lesson From the Past: The High Cost of Hospitality

Why History Must Be Taught — And Remembered.

They say those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. But in Nigeria, we’re not just forgetting — we’re sleepwalking into a repetition.

Here’s a story you won’t find in your average schoolbook — but it should be there.

In 1804, King Yunfa of Gobir (present-day Sokoto) welcomed a wandering Fulani Islamic scholar and his followers. His name? Usman Dan Fodio. That single act of hospitality would change the face of Northern Nigeria forever.

What started as a peaceful coexistence ended in bloodshed, war, and the fall of the Hausa kingdoms. By 1808, King Yunfa was dead, and Dan Fodio had established the Sokoto Caliphate, installing himself as Sultan. Fulani emirs rapidly replaced the indigenous Hausa rulers — a sweeping conquest disguised as religious reform.

The Fulani didn’t stop there. The once-mighty Afonja of Ilorin, a Yoruba warlord, allied with a Fulani warrior, Janta Alimi. The result? Afonja was murdered by Fulani forces in 1824, and Ilorin — once a proud Yoruba town — became an emirate under Sokoto rule. It remains so till today. Every attempt to restore a Yoruba king in Ilorin has failed.

Yet not all bowed.

In 1840, the Yoruba forces halted the Fulani jihad in a decisive battle in Osogbo, preventing what could have become a Fulani conquest of Oyo, Ibadan, Owo, Ado, and even Ekiti.

The Benin Kingdom also stood strong. Had they not fought back, Edo and Delta might have fallen too — like parts of Edo North, which were overrun and islamized.

But here’s the chilling part…

Today, we see echoes of that same strategy playing out — only this time, the battleground is disguised as "grazing reserves."

It starts with a simple request: “We need land to graze.” But those “grazing areas” evolve into settlements, then communities, and soon, political strongholds with elected officials.

Still think it’s a conspiracy theory?

 look at other local governments around like Bassa, Bokkos, Mangu, Riyom, B Ladi. Look at Jos, once a peaceful Middle Belt city. What happened there is no longer news — it’s a warning.

And if we continue to look away, tomorrow might bring emirs not just in Sokoto or Ilorin, but in Enugu, Owerri, Benin, Agatu, Abeokuta, and beyond.

This is not just history — it’s a pattern.

Usman Dan Fodio was once just a guest. So was Janta Alimi.

Today, the Fulani herdsman is not just a cattle rearer. He’s a pawn — perhaps even a foot soldier — in a much older, more organized plan.

Someone once said, “The grazing bill is not a solution; it’s a strategy.”

Create a crisis. Propose a “solution.” Then legalize your real agenda.

It’s the oldest political trick in the book — and it’s playing out before our very eyes.

Be wise. Be aware. Spread the word.

History is knocking — will we answer or ignore it again ?

Source: Social media 

#PHOTOS: Mexican , Brazilian nationals Visit Alaafin Oyo, paid homages

Mexican and Brazilian nationals visit Alaafin of Oyo. They paid homage to Iku Baba Yeye in His Palace.

Alaafin still remains the head of the historical Yoruba Empire  otherwise known as Oyo Empire. 

JULY 19TH BIRTHDAY RALLY: Coalition for Peter Obi (CPO), Support Groups Meet in Ibadan (PHOTOS )

All Coalition for Peter Obi Groups, leadership of various Support Groups and interested organizations in Oyo State on Saturday 12th July 2025 held a strategic meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital .

The meeting convened by the Oyo State Coordinating Council of the Obi-dients Movement took place at the NLC Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan, focused on consolidating the movement's  fronts in the state going forward to 2027.

The groups stated their determinations to make the July 19th Birthday programs of the symbol of the movement H E Peter Obi a peaceful and successful outing .

  

Press Statement: State Coordinating Council (SCC) of the Oyo State Obidient Movement remained intact

 

"We the appointed state executives of Oyo state Obidient Movement strongly refute claims that Ayo Akinyemi is leading the Obidient Movement in Oyo State. The anchor's decision to recognize him as coordinator in the recent Zoom meeting (2/7/2025) was a grave error.

We hereby clarify that Ayo Akinyemi is an impostor and does not represent the legitimate leadership of the Obidient Movement in Oyo State. After the election, his group shifted allegiance to Abure's leadership, rebranding themselves as *'LabourObidient Movement',* and stood apart from our structure. They only realigned when they saw the poster for the Southwest Conference on our joint platform, but have since struggled to fully commit.

Despite our appointed Excos' repeated invitations to meetings to synergize, they've refused to participate. Following Hon Dele Abiola's appointment to the Advisory Council and later as Oyo State Interim Coordinator, the Akinyemi-led Excos have been attempting to create a parallel structure, opposing his leadership. Notably, they're still working with Oyo LP Chairman Alh Sodiq Atayese, who openly defected/aligned with PDP in the last gubernatorial election. It is also note worthy that they worked for APC Presidential candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu through Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

Moreover, his speech in the meeting clearly showed he's uninformed about the current state of the Obidient Movement in the state, further disqualifying him from any legitimate leadership role. We urge all members and concerned leaders to disregard his claims and any directives emanating from him."

The approved State Coordinating Council (SCC) of the Oyo State Obidient Movement remained intact.

Babafemi Oluwaferanmi

Deputy Coordinator (Oyo South Senatorial District)

For: State Coordinating Council 

Oyo State Obidient Movement 

Oyo State Obidient Movement: State Coordinating Council (SCC) Meet in Ibadan (PHOTOS)

 

Sir Dele Abiola led Oyo State Obidient Movement meet in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital.

Raw photos:

Closing Prayer 

More Photos: 

SOUN OF OGBOMOSHO LAND COMMISSIONS 5-STAR HOTEL, INNOVATION HUB , SAYS THIS JUST THE BEGINNING

Femi OGUNLANA

The vision to transform Ogbomoso into a model city receives further boost Saturday as two hubs of economic activities were proudly commissioned in the city by the Soun, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III.

The two centres, the Dreamz Suites & Hotels and Ennovate Lab, are both situated along old Ilorin road.

Commissioning the hotel located at a prime area in Aroje, the Soun enthused it was the beginning of great, amazing things to come to Ogbomoso. He said the project which began before his enthronement was almost abandoned but that his efforts in canvassing Ogbomoso people in the diaspora to return home to establish businesses revived the interest of the US-based owner, Mr. Olufemi Leke, assuring the gateway of developments is being opened and will lead to the desired transformation.

“I am happy to be here,” Oba Olaoye had stated. “This is dream come true. We first met in New York some years ago and he shared this dream but he was not enthusiastic again so to say. But l told him l would be Oba and l would commission the hotel. That gave the needed spark to completing the project.

“I believe this is the beginning of several things that will happen in Ogbomoso. We are just starting, more amazing things will come up in this town.”

He now told the hotel CEO, “You are an inspiration, l can tell you l am impressed.”

The traditional ruler, a businessman himself, advised the hotelier to maintain high standards, have zero tolerance for fraudulent staff and to try as much as possible to make transactions cashless to reduce sharp practices. He however urged him to pay his staff well and learn to compensate them.

“Maintain high standard, have zero tolerance for fraudulent practices, make transactions as cashless as possible and pay your workers well. Compensate diligence, let them feel the impact of the business doing well. Engage them, don’t do master-servant relationship but relate with them with honours. Maintaining standards is a difficult thing but it is not an impossible thing,” Oba Olaoye said.

The hotelier, Mr. Femi Leke, thanking the Oba, said he had been impressed by Oba Olaoye since the first time he got introduced to him in New York, USA, informing many Ogbomoso indigenes in the diaspora have bought into the idea of investing at home. “I can tell you we have a whole army coming over. That is what we in the diaspora discuss nowadays,” he confidently stated.

Writing on the event later the Soun in a social media post stated, “This morning, I was filled with joy as I and my entourage was at the grand opening of Dreamz Suites & Hotel in Ogbomoso.

“What makes this moment special is not just the beauty of the structure, but the heart behind it. I met the visionary behind the hotel in New York while sharing my 25-year developmental blueprint for Ogbomosoland — and he caught the vision. He wasn’t just inspired to build a hotel… he was moved to build excellence.

“Today, I saw excellence. I was deeply impressed by the standard — it speaks of the Ogbomoso we are building together: world-class, forward-thinking, and rooted in values.

“This is just the beginning of what’s coming to Ogbomosoland. We are attracting visionaries, builders, and doers. Ogbomoso is rising — and everyone who aligns with purpose, discipline, and excellence will rise with it.”

Also speaking at the commissioning of the Ennovate Lab located at the former Coca cola depot near LAUTECH, the Soun assured the founders, “We will support your vision.” He reiterated more “amazing things” are coming to the town.

Ennovate lab, founded in November 2017 by four friends, Jesudamilare Adesegun-David, Chima Omike, Pelumi Igunnubolei and Ijeoma Nwawka, is an innovation hub that seeks to promote innovation and enterprise thinking and success in underserved university communities, according to information gleaned from its website.

It further states, “Our vision is captured within these three prongs: Innovation Hub, Startup Foundry and Seed Fund.

“As an innovation hub, we are committed to building resilient innovation ecosystems in underserved university communities. As a startup foundry, we build borderless solutions for communities by communities and as a seed fund, we reach beyond our portcos to become the first to write cheques for promising startups in our host communities.”

This is as it stresses, “Our goal is to decentralize and democratize access to opportunity and resources in underserved communities by leveraging assets within those communities especially their human capital and the presence of university institutions.”

It will promote such values as creativity, empathy, camaraderie, integrity, inclusiveness and grit.

Volunteers, developers, storytellers, creative designers, urban agriculturist, online community managers, social media managers, content creators are part of the centre’s human resources and it has hubs in the US, UK and some other Western countries.

A representative of the organisation challenged Ogbomoso people to “keep this movement going in Ogbomoso. Build the community together, invest here together. By this, employment will be created in Ogbomoso, businesses will come and thrive.”

Recall that in recent times businesses are springing up in the town among which are the opening of a depot of Prestige Paints Lagos, and the inauguration of Yajifarz Foundation Cup, which is ongoing with the sponsor saying he is working on bringing his business to Ogbomoso as well. There have been other developmental projects like the plan to set up a large-hectared sweet potato farm, road constructions, establishment of a monothecnic on cultural studies and so on.

ogbomosoinsightonline.com can authoritatively state other “goodies” are on their way to the ancient town.

More pictures from the events: