Kwara: Oro community warns monarch against using title of Oloro

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

The Oro Community in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State has issued a warning to the recently installed traditional ruler, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye, against using the titles Oloro of Oro, Oloro of Oro Land, or Oloro of Oro Kingdom.

The warning was conveyed in a statement jointly signed by the Baale of Oro, Chief Raphael Olateju Afolabi, and the President of the Oro Community Association, Prof. James Bababode Bojuwoye. The statement was made available to newsmen through the National Publicity Secretary, Adebayo Olodan, in Ilorin on Friday.

The community emphasized that none of the eight communities in the Oro District is entitled to the title of Oloro of Oro, Oba Oloro of Oro, or Oloro of Oro Kingdom.

“The title of Oloro of Oro or Oba Oloro of Oro Land belongs exclusively to our community,” the statement read. “We hereby caution the recently installed Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye to cease using the title of Oloro of Oro or any variation, including Oba Oloro of Oro, Oloro of Oro Land, or Oloro of Oro Kingdom.”

The community further clarified that a Supreme Court judgment delivered on January 18, 2019, by Justice Mary Ukaegbo Odili and four other judges, had officially removed Oro from the larger Oro Kingdom.

“As a result, the palace of Oba Oyatoye Titiloye holds no historical or traditional significance for our community,” the statement continued. “The newly installed traditional ruler has no control over the affairs of Oro or its people.”

The Oro Community also pointed out that neither Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye, members of his Traditional Council, nor any individual from the eight communities in the Oro District has the right to modify the name of their community. “Oro is Oro—no prefix, no suffix,” the statement reiterated.

“Any attempt to alter our community’s name is a contempt of court and will be treated as such,” the community warned.

The statement concluded with a call to the Kwara State Government and relevant agencies to ensure full compliance with the 2019 Supreme Court ruling.

Despite the dispute, the community reaffirmed its commitment to living in peace and harmony with neighboring communities.