Lifestyle

:Alaafin: The First Muslim Ajaka Descendant – By Prince Siyanbola Oladigbolu”

Published

1 month ago

July 30, 2025

“There’s no doubt mankind serves the same god in different ways. But the most recognized and populous religions are Islam and Christianity, in the case of Nigeria at large.

So individually, people have been converting to Islam before the arrival of ( Sehik Maharoof Uthman ) popularly known as Uthman dan Fodio (RTA). Uthman dan Fodio was born on the 15th of December 1754 and died on the 18th of April 1817. So if you do your plus and minus you will realize he was 63 years when he died.

Meanwhile, Oyo-Yoruba came in contact with Islam around the 14th century during the reign of . Alh Abubakar Mansa Kankan Musa of the old Mali Empire. So the first Mosque was built in Ọyọ-Ile in AD 1550 during the reign of ALAAFIN EGUGUOJO. although, there were no Yoruba Muslims at all including Alaafin and every member of the supreme Oyo empire ruling house. the Mosque only served the spiritual needs of foreign Muslims from Mali, Sudan Mauritania, and so on living in the Ọyọ empire peacefully with Alaafin.

And all this happened in Oyo ile to be specific.

Atiba Atobatele is one of the last Oyo empire princes that did not leave present-day ILORIN on time after the conflicts in oyo Ile, so, he had already learned how to read the Quran from sehik Abdul Salaam (son of Sheik Muhammad’s Soliu Janta popularly known as ( Sheu Alimi ) and that was how he was converted to Islam and an Islamic name was given to him ( Muhammad Soliu) the same name as his Sheik’s father that brought him into Islam religion.

He (atiba) leaved with the Sheik Abdul Salaam until the stool of Alaafin was vacant in 1859. When The message got to him that he is the next Alaafin of Oyo. His Sheik ( Salaam) was very happy and couldn’t wait to see his student on the throne that has never been occupied by Muslims before. Young Prince Muhammad Saliu Atiba atobatele dynastically and gorgeously dressed from Sheu Halimi’s House to present-day Oyo with white horses and entourage.

The scounty Muslims in Oyo and indigenous were so excited about having a Muslim as Alaafin as well. After the coronation, Oyo Muslim councils were formed and Alaafin was made the head being the KING.

So Apart from cultural and traditional responsibilities, Alaafin has always been the head of Muslims. He (Alaafin) chooses Chief Imams that lead him in prayer in Oyo and other Islamic titles like.: Mufasiru, Mufti, and so on. That was how Alaafin Atiba became the first ALAAFIN AJAKA DESCENDANTS to convert to Islam and ever since then, all his successors emulated their father right from the reign of Alaafin Adelu. They were all Muslims.

1. Muhammadu Lawal (Alaafin Agogoija)
2. Abubakar ( siyanbola oladigbolu )
3. Muhammad Raji ( Alaafin adeniran)
4. Muhammad Bello ( Alaafin gbadegesin)
5. Abdul-hammed (late Adeyemi 3rd)

So, influence of Alaafin remains unlimited That’s why Oyomesi needs to be very cautious .
Alaafin stool has been tied to some other Islamic activities in addition to the spiritual influences right from the dispensation of the Alaafin Muhammad Saliu Atiba Atobatele who founded present-day Oyo.”

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My response is that I am a bit confused here. I thought AláàfinAólẹ̀ was the last king of Oyo Ilé and it was Alaafin Àtìbà that founded the new Ọ̀yọ́ Àtìbà. Who are the people who sent message to Alaafin Àtìbà to come to the place he founded to come and be king the new king after Ọ̀yọ́ ilé has been completely destroyed. I am a scholar and we usually screen history.

If it is true that Ọ̀yọ́ ilé was completely destroyed and Aláàfin Àtìbà took his people to this present Ọ̀yọ́. He would have concentrated on development of the land with his people and he is automatically the potential king.

Secondly those Islamic scholars whom Alaafin Àtìbà lived with in his childhood days are the people who lied to him that our ancestors originated from mecca. I learnt that the history of mecca was passed from Aláàfin Adeyemi 1 and we can see that the distortion history came from Ilorin kaliphate to mislead our future generations so that they can take over all our land from our kings.

Thirdly I am bit confused… We learnt that it was Abdusalami Alimi son that kpai Afonja and AláàfinAólẹ̀ Àtìbà father. How come the same person who kpai his father is the same person who mentored him.

Please I need more light here. How is it possible for a child to live with the person who kpai his father and Aláàfin Oluewu??Ṣé ọmọ ìyá nínú ẹ̀sìn ni wọ́n fi ṣe ni?? Or was Alaafin Àtìbà vulnerable and helpless having lost his parents and how old was he then??

We need more light from this history from Ọ̀yọ́ Prince??

IRE OOOOO!!

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Lifestyle

South Africa’s top court rules men can take wives’ surnames

Published

10 hours ago

September 11, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

South Africa’s top court ruled Thursday that men should be able to take their wives’ surnames and a law that prevented this amounted to unfair gender discrimination.

The Constitutional Court said the legal ban served no legitimate government purpose and was suspended, paving the way for parliament to enact amendments to the legislation.

While men were deprived of the ability to take their wives’ surnames, the discrimination was “far more insidious” for women, the ruling said.

It “reinforces patriarchal gender norms, which prescribe how women may express their identity, and it makes this expression relational to their husband, as a governmental and cultural default,” it said.

The case was brought to court by two couples, one of which wanted to honour the woman’s parents who died when she was young. In the other case, the woman wanted to keep her ties to her family surname as she was an only child.

Previously, men would have to apply to the home affairs department to change their surname, a request that was not automatically granted.

Provisions allowing men to assume their wives’ surname on marriage are already in place in other countries, mainly in Europe and in certain US states.

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Lifestyle

Adewale Ayuba: The Bonsue Fuji Maestro

Published

21 hours ago

September 11, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Adewale Ayuba (born 25 March 1965), popularly known as Mr. Johnson, is a celebrated Nigerian Fuji musician. A dynamic performer and innovative artist, he is best recognized for pioneering a distinct subgenre of Fuji known as Bonsue Fuji, earning him the titles “Bonsue Fuji King” and “Bonsue Fuji Maestro.”

Early Life

Adewale Ayuba was born in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria, where he grew up immersed in the vibrant Yoruba musical culture. His passion for music developed at a young age, and by the time he was a teenager, Ayuba had already begun performing publicly. His early exposure to Fuji—a genre rooted in traditional Yoruba Islamic music and social commentary—shaped his career trajectory.

Musical Career

Ayuba gained prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, standing out for his smooth voice, energetic stage presence, and ability to modernize Fuji without losing its cultural essence.
In 1986, he released his debut album, Ibere (Beginning), which set the stage for his rise in the Fuji music scene.

His breakthrough came in the 1990s, particularly after the release of Bubble, which enjoyed both commercial success and critical acclaim.

Unlike traditional Fuji, Ayuba’s Bonsue Fuji introduced faster rhythms, contemporary arrangements, and lyrics that appealed to both young and older audiences.

Contributions and Style

Ayuba’s Bonsue Fuji represents a deliberate reinvention of Fuji, making it more accessible to urban audiences and international listeners. Some defining features of his style include:

Upbeat, dance-friendly tempos.

Cleaner, more radio-friendly lyrical delivery compared to traditional Fuji.

Infusion of contemporary instruments and production styles.

This reinvention helped Fuji cross into mainstream Nigerian pop culture and attracted non-Fuji audiences.

Recognition and Legacy

Ayuba has been widely celebrated for his innovations in Fuji music, often credited with making the genre appealing beyond its traditional fan base.

His albums and live performances have earned him accolades within Nigeria and among the Nigerian diaspora.

He remains a strong advocate of Fuji as a cultural export, performing across Africa, Europe, and North America.

Personal Life

Though details about his private life remain relatively low-profile, Ayuba is admired not only for his music but also for his discipline and clean image, which set him apart in an industry sometimes plagued by controversies.

Legacy

Adewale Ayuba’s work has cemented him as one of the most innovative voices in Nigerian Fuji. By creating Bonsue Fuji, he bridged generational gaps in music, ensuring Fuji’s relevance in a rapidly changing Nigerian music industry. His influence continues to inspirer younger Fuji and Afrobeats artists who look to blend tradition with modernity.

Sources:
Vanguard Nigeria Music Archives.

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Lifestyle

Oba Abdul-Lateef Adeniran Akanni (Obaarun-Oladekan I): The Olofin Adimula of Ado-Odo

Published

21 hours ago

September 11, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Oba Abdul-Lateef Adeniran Akanni (3 December 1958 – 7 January 2022), known by his regnal title Ojikutujoye Obaarun-Oladekan I, was a Nigerian monarch who ruled as the Oba of Ado and Olofin Adimula Oodua of Ado-Odo, an ancient Yoruba kingdom in Ogun State, Nigeria. His reign, which began in 2009, was marked by efforts to uphold the traditions of Ado-Odo while navigating modern governance and community development.

Early Life and Background

Abdul-Lateef Adeniran Akanni was born on 3 December 1958 in Ado-Odo, a culturally significant Yoruba settlement in present-day Ogun State. Ado-Odo holds a unique place in Yoruba history as one of the oldest Awori towns, with deep ancestral ties to Ile-Ife, the spiritual cradle of the Yoruba people.

Details of Oba Akanni’s childhood, education, and early career are not widely documented. However, his lineage and deep cultural grounding prepared him for eventual ascension to the revered Ado-Odo throne.

Ascension to the Throne

The throne of Ado-Odo became vacant following the death of Oba J. O. Akapo, who passed away on 7 February 1989. After a long interregnum that lasted two decades, Abdul-Lateef Adeniran Akanni was chosen as the next monarch.

On 2 May 2009, he was installed as the Oba of Ado and Olofin Adimula Oodua of Ado-Odo, assuming the regnal name Ojikutujoye Obaarun-Oladekan I. His coronation marked the end of a prolonged vacancy on the throne, restoring continuity in the traditional leadership of the ancient Awori community.

Role as Monarch

As Olofin Adimula, Oba Akanni held not only political and cultural authority within Ado-Odo but also spiritual responsibilities, given the sacred status of the Olofin stool in Awori and Yoruba tradition.
His reign was characterized by:

Custodianship of Yoruba Tradition: He safeguarded the customs, festivals, and rituals that define the cultural heritage of Ado-Odo.

Community Leadership: He played a mediatory role between his people and government institutions, advocating for development in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

Symbol of Unity: His leadership maintained cohesion among the diverse Awori sub-communities under his jurisdiction.

Death

Oba Abdul-Lateef Adeniran Akanni passed away on 7 January 2022 at the age of 63. His death was a major loss to the people of Ado-Odo and the wider Awori community, who regarded him as a custodian of both cultural heritage and social stability.

Following his death, the throne of Ado-Odo once again entered an interregnum as the community and ruling houses began the traditional processes of succession.

Legacy

Oba Akanni’s reign is remembered for the restoration of traditional authority in Ado-Odo after a long period without a monarch.

His leadership helped maintain the spiritual and cultural prestige of the Olofin Adimula throne.
He is honored among Yoruba monarchs who carried the responsibility of preserving indigenous governance systems in a modern Nigerian state.

Sources:
Ogun State Traditional Council Archives (referenced in local reports)

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