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Oyo Empire era over, no Yoruba monarch is superior to others — Tinubu’s aide
A Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, has ignited controversy after stating that the period of imperial dominance linked to the old Oyo Empire has ended and that no traditional ruler in Yorubaland holds supremacy over others.
Ajayi made the assertion in a post on X on Saturday, accompanied by a photograph of the current Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, as he argued against perceived hierarchical superiority among Yoruba monarchs.
“We are no longer in the era of the Oyo Empire,” Ajayi wrote. “Rome and the United Kingdom, that once ruled more than half of the world as empires, can no longer claim sovereignty over former colonies. Times have changed. We are now in a new world.”
The presidential aide insisted that the historical Oyo Empire should not be confused with present-day cultural or political authority, emphasising that Yorubaland was never completely governed by the Alaafin.
“Oyo Empire now belongs to history and the whole of what we now know as Yorubaland was never under the rule of the Alaafin,” he said.
Ajayi called on traditional rulers across the South-West to adopt collaborative leadership consistent with contemporary realities, suggesting that mutual respect among monarchs would benefit their communities.
“The society will function well if the current natural rulers in Yorubaland understand their roles in modern society,” he stated. “Our kings should now work collaboratively to preserve peace, unity and development in their communities whilst preserving our cultural values.”
The statement has generated divided opinions on social media, amid ongoing debates about hierarchy, influence and authority within traditional institutions in Yorubaland.
While some cultural historians and observers continue to recognize the Alaafin’s stool as historically paramount within Yoruba civilization, others dispute any claim of overarching authority over the various kingdoms constituting the Yoruba race, pointing instead to the primacy of Ile-Ife and the spiritual leadership of the Ooni of Ife.
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The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has launched an investigation into a suspected chemical spill on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway following the appearance of a white, foamy substance believed to have resulted from a road accident involving a heavy-duty truck.
A statement issued by the agency’s Assistant Director (Press), Nwamaka Ejiofor, said a team from the NESREA Kaduna State Field Office, led by the State Coordinator, Mr. Hena Dangari Emmanuel, visited the scene to commence investigations.
During the visit, the team met with the Police Commander for Jere, ACP Sani Zubairu, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Commander for the area, and the community leader as part of efforts to gather information on the incident.
According to the statement, “Preliminary findings indicate that a heavy-duty truck was involved in an accident leading to the spillage of its contents at the location.”
NESREA said investigators also gathered information from relevant officials and residents, while samples of the foamy substance, surrounding soil, and water from a nearby stream were collected for laboratory analysis to determine the nature and possible environmental impact of the spill.
The agency appealed to residents and road users to exercise caution pending the outcome of the investigation.
“Members of the public are strongly advised to avoid contact with the foamy substance, the water, and the surrounding soil until the investigation is concluded, to prevent possible exposure to hazardous materials,” the statement said.
NESREA said the laboratory analysis would help establish the composition of the spilled substance and guide any necessary environmental response, adding that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.
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An unidentified woman was d!ed early Tuesday morning, July 21, after a fire gutted a residential building along Ikpa Road in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
According to accounts shared online by a social media user, Frank Tochukwu Fidelis, the victim had accompanied a male companion to the residence after the duo met at a local nightclub earlier in the night.
Reports indicate that the fire broke out at approximately 5:30 AM, destroying properties worth millions of Naira. While the male resident managed to escape the burning structure unharmed, the woman was trapped inside and suffered fatal burns.
‘’If you have a friend or relative who went clubbing in Uyo last night and has not returned home, please contact the appropriate authorities or visit the relevant hospital or police station for confirmed information, rather than relying solely on social media posts.” Tochukwu wrote in the caption
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