‘Strange and incomprehensible’, University of Ibadan don blasts Alaafin of Oyo for 3-hour lateness

A Professor of English at the University of Ibadan, Prof. Ademola Omobewaji Dasylva, has criticised the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, over his alleged three-hour delay to the inauguration of the Alaafin Institute of Yoruba Studies and his failure to apologise after arriving.

Dasylva made the remarks in an article published on the Toyin Falola Network, describing the monarch’s conduct as inconsistent with the values of the revered Yoruba royal institution.

According to him, the event at the Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, was scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., with the Alaafin expected by 9:55 a.m., but he did not arrive until 12:20 p.m., forcing guests to wait for more than three hours.

He said the programme could have continued with cultural performances while awaiting the monarch, but instead all activities were put on hold.

The professor said what disappointed him most was the absence of an apology from either the Alaafin or any member of his entourage.

“Unfortunately, not a word of apology for the lateness of the Imperial Majesty and his entourage… I found that rather strange and incomprehensible,” he wrote.

Dasylva added that while such behaviour had become common among some politicians, it was unbecoming of a foremost Yoruba monarch expected to uphold the values and discipline of the institution.

As of the time of the report, Oba Owoade, who is reportedly on vacation in Manitoba, Canada, had not responded to the criticism.