The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has issued a stern warning to bloggers, content creators, and social media users, urging them to desist from spreading divisive narratives involving traditional rulers in the South-West.
Speaking during the 2025 Oke ‘Badan Festival at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, Adams condemned the recent online discourse comparing the authority and seniority of the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife.
“It is disturbing to see bloggers and influencers attempting to create rivalry between these revered thrones,” he said.
“The Alaafin and the Ooni represent vital pillars of Yoruba culture and heritage. Any attempt to incite division among them is both disrespectful and dangerous.”
He called on digital media practitioners to exercise responsibility in their content, emphasizing that misinformation and disrespect toward traditional institutions could fuel unnecessary conflict.
Honoring Cultural Heritage at Oke ‘Badan Festival
Adams also spoke on the cultural significance of the Oke-Ibadan Festival, which commemorates the founding of Ibadan and honors its ancestral roots.
“Oke-Ibadan means the ‘Hill of Ibadan,’ the site where Lagelu, the city’s founder, first settled in the 18th century,” he explained.
“The hill remains sacred to the people of Ibadan, having served as a strategic location during ancient wars and a continuing source of spiritual blessing.”
He encouraged the Oyo State government to develop the site into a recognized historical and tourist destination, likening its potential to landmarks such as Olumo Rock in Abeokuta and Oke Idanre in Ondo State.
Call to Promote Cultural Tourism
Adams further urged the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism to list Oke-Ibadan among Nigeria’s officially recognized heritage sites, noting its historical and spiritual relevance within Yorubaland.
“There are several spiritually significant locations across the South-West, and Oke-Ibadan certainly deserves a place on that list,” he stated.
Security in Focus
Delivering a lecture at the event, Ambassador Afolabi Olaniyi highlighted the country’s growing security challenges, urging the federal government to increase recruitment into security agencies and establish Police Universities across all six geopolitical zones.
“With a population exceeding 200 million, Nigeria has only about 500,000 police officers, many of whom are assigned to non-core duties,” he noted. “We need no fewer than five million officers to adequately secure the nation.”
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