Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo, has commissioned ILE OODUA in Oyo Palace, identifying it as a symbol of Yoruba identity, resilience and cultural pride.
Speaking at the ceremony, Alaafin said the existence of ILE OODUA inside Oyo Palace symbolises “heritage carved in stone”, confirming the solidified connection between Alaafin and the Progenitor of Yoruba race.
However, the statement released by Bode Durojaiye, the Director of Media and Publicity to Alaafin also reveals that “The Palace serves as a hub for cultural education, where the younger generation can learn about their heritage through direct interaction with traditional practices and historical narratives.”
It further adds that “schools, cultural groups, and scholars often visit the palace to gain insight into the Yoruba way of life, ensuring that the knowledge and customs of the past are passed on to future generations.”
According to Alaafin, “building a Yoruba heritage (Oduduwa) house within the Alaafin of Oyo's Palace is an imperative effort to restore, preserve, and showcase the cultural, historical, and architectural legacy of the Oyo Empire.”
Alaafin's Palace is referred to as “a symbol of Yoruba heritage and authority, and has transitioned from a royal residence to a significant cultural and historical landmark.”
Oba Owoade traced the roots of the palace back to Oranmiyan, the son of Oduduwa and the founder of the Oyo Empire, establishing him as the foundational figure in Yoruba history.
Chief Onifade Olanipekun, Asiwaju Awo of Oyo Kingdom and the Chairman, Isese Worshipping Committee, also described Alaafin's Palace as the “Heart of Yoruba Civilization”, recognising it as a living museum where many of the most significant historical, political, and traditional events of the Yoruba people have been preserved for centuries.
He added that establishing a new ILE OODUA within the Palace is a vivid declaration that Alaafin's roots as a son of Oduduwa is upheld at the centre of Oyo's royal, administrative and cultural life.
