Alaafin demands apology from professor over ‘late arrival’ remarks

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has formally demanded an apology and retraction from Professor Ademola Omobewaji Dasylva. The demand stems from remarks attributed to the professor, which alleged that the monarch arrived three hours late to the inauguration of the Alaafin’s Institute of Yoruba Studies at Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo.

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reckless

In a statement issued by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the palace described the professor's comments as "reckless." Durojaiye insisted that the monarch's arrival adhered to an adjusted schedule that had been communicated to the organizers prior to the event. The palace asserted that portraying the Alaafin, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, as arriving late was inaccurate and unfair.

Durojaiye explained that the university's original schedule proposed an 11:00 a.m. arrival for the monarch. However, the Director of Administration of the Alaafin’s Palace formally communicated a revised arrival time, noting that the Alaafin would be traveling with other paramount traditional rulers from outside Oyo State. The palace stated this information was conveyed in good faith to facilitate proper planning, emphasizing that the entourage could not arrive before noon or 1:00 p.m.

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For the records, the original schedule proposed by the university indicated 11:00 a.m. as the time for His Imperial Majesty’s arrival. However, before the commencement of the event, the Director of Administration of the Alaafin’s Palace formally communicated that the Alaafin would be arriving with other paramount Obas travelling from outside Oyo State.

The palace further argued that the Alaafin's movements are governed by established royal protocols and require coordination with other traditional rulers. It deemed it inappropriate to expect an imperial procession to adhere to arrangements made without full consultation, stating, "The Palace does not move in isolation. When the Alaafin moves, he moves with the dignity of Oyo, with the council, and often in concert with other crowns."

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This communication was not an afterthought. It was made deliberately and in good faith to enable proper planning. To therefore feign surprise and launch into public castigation is either a wilful disregard of facts or a deliberate act of provocation.

Durojaiye questioned the basis of Professor Dasylva's comments, noting that the professor was neither the convener nor a member of the protocol team and thus not privy to the communications between the Palace and the university. The palace stressed that criticism should be based on verified facts, warning against rushing to public judgment with insults.

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The Palace does not move in isolation. When the Alaafin moves, he moves with the dignity of Oyo, with the council, and often in concert with other crowns. To expect an imperial procession to conform to a timetable designed without full consultation is to misunderstand both monarchy and courtesy.