A group, the Oduduwa Descendants Worldwide, has asserted that the Okanlomo Oodua is a title that transcends beyond Yorubaland in the present-day Nigeria.
It added that it is only the Ooni of Ife who possesses the authority to appoint individuals as Okanlomo Oodua as the Ooni is also known as Arole Oodua.
The group stated this in a statement on Friday, amidst a growing supremacy dispute between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, over the title.
Recall that the Ooni of Ife recently conferred the title of Okanlomo Oodua on Ibadan-based business tycoon, philanthropist and the CEO of Ilaji Hotels and Resorts, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi JDS).
The development led to a declaration by Alaafin that the Ooni erred and that he (the Alaafin) is the only authority that can confer any chieftaincy title bearing “Yorubaland” on individuals.
He further issued a 24-hour ultimatum in a press release on Monday, asking the Ooni of Ife to withdraw the chieftaincy title or “face the consequences.”
The Oduduwa Descendants Worldwide however emphasised that: “The lineage of Oduduwa is clear; only the Ooni can designate the Okanlomo Oodua, and any claim otherwise is a distortion of our heritage.”
The group rallied to support the Ooni, stating: “Our traditions are rooted in respect and recognition of rightful authority, which resides solely with the Ooni of Ife, a revered figure in our cultural heritage.
“The Oduduwa lineage, revered as the source of Yoruba Culture, has long maintained that the Ooni’s position is pivotal in upholding spiritual and cultural norms. We will not stand by while the integrity of our lineage is undermined.
“The Okanlomo title is not just a title; it embodies the spirit and unity of the Yoruba people, cutting across all Yoruba descendants in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Cuba, Brazil, America, the UK, and even in Caribbean countries.”
The prominent sons and daughters of Oduduwa also stated that any title that has Oodua transcends the six South-West states, often referred to as Yorubaland, and even beyond Nigeria.
Similarly, the Oduduwa Descendants Worldwide expressed gratitude to the Alaafin for issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni to revoke the chieftaincy title.
The group remarked: “This has been a joy in disguise for Sanusi, making the title more popular than ever,” noting that Sanusi has become the talk of the town, with discussions about him flourishing across various social media platforms.
“We appreciate the attention this [consequence of the 24-hour ultimatum] has brought to our heritage and the Okanlomo title.
“Now that the 48-hour ultimatum has elapsed, the court of public opinion expects that the controversy stemmed from the issue has died naturally.”
