Igbeji people trace roots to Oyo royal dynasty
By Adejayan Gbenga
The people of Igbeji community in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State have traced their ancestral roots to the Oyo royal dynasty following a historic visit to the ancient city of Oyo and the palace of the Alaafin.
The community members, who were received by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, said identifying with their ancestral heritage had strengthened their connection to the Oyo royal lineage.
Speaking while receiving the Igbeji delegation on Friday, Owoade described ancestral connections as important sources of continuity, identity and strength. He said understanding one’s roots could provide stability during periods of uncertainty and help people draw strength from the resilience of previous generations.
According to the monarch, knowledge of ancestral heritage also enables individuals to appreciate their cultural identity, learn from the experiences of those who came before them and develop a deeper understanding of contemporary society. He added that a sense of history went beyond memorising dates and events to understanding how the past shaped and continued to influence the present.
Owoade said knowledge of history could help individuals and societies understand the consequences of past actions, avoid repeating mistakes and strengthen shared values, civic responsibility and a sense of belonging. Similarly, in a sperate statement issued by the Alaafin’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the monarch congratulated the Igbeji princes and princesses on identifying with their roots and assured them of his readiness to support and cooperate with the community whenever necessary.
The delegation, which was received at the palace by princes and princesses of the Oyo royal dynasty, was welcomed with traditional palace drumming. Speaking on behalf of the Igbeji people, Prince Dr. Jide Ajayi said the community was founded by Prince Adelakun, whom he described as a direct son of Alaafin Atiba of Oyo, following his migration from Oyo.
Ajayi said the traditional ruler of Igbeji was known as the Oni Igbeji or Onigbeji, reflecting the community’s historical and cultural links to the wider Yoruba and Oyo heritage. He said the community had historically been populated and governed by royal heirs and descendants connected to the Oyo lineage, while also accommodating farming and trading groups, including settlers of Egun and Ketu extraction.
He expressed appreciation to Prince Sherif Onisile-Adebayo, a Yoruba historian, for helping the community trace its roots to Oyo, as well as Pa Prince Hassan Oranlola and Archbishop Emeritus Prince Ayoade Ladigbolu for their reception during an earlier visit. Onisile-Adebayo urged younger generations to deepen their knowledge of Yoruba history and heritage, while calling for greater use of the media to preserve and promote historical accounts, stories and images that could help future generations understand their ancestry.
