By: Abiodun Awujoola
A University of Ibadan professor of English, Ademola Dasylva, has accused the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, of arriving over three hours behind schedule to the inauguration of the Alaafin Institute of Yoruba Studies at the Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, on July 14, without any apology from the monarch or his aides.
Prof Dasylva made the claim in an article published on the Toyin Falola Network titled “Of Mythography and Mythognosis: A Complementary Perspective on Yoruba Mythology and The Relevance, Today,” where he argued that the programme had listed the Alaafin’s arrival for 9:55 am, yet the monarch did not show up until around 12:20 pm, leaving dignitaries including a retired bishop waiting with no cultural activities arranged to fill the gap.
He said the absence of an apology was what troubled him most, describing it as inconsistent with the discipline expected of a revered Yoruba institution, while noting that such conduct was more typical of certain Nigerian politicians than of a foremost monarch.
The Alaafin’s media aide, Bode Durojaiye, rejected the allegation in a statement, insisting the monarch kept to a schedule that had been communicated to the organisers in advance.
According to Durojaiye, the university had initially proposed 11 am, but the palace informed them beforehand that the Alaafin’s entourage, travelling with other obas from outside Oyo State, could not arrive before noon or 1 pm.
He argued that Dasylva had no part in the event’s protocol arrangements and was not privy to that correspondence, and accused the professor of going public without verifying his facts first.
Durojaiye’s statement was pointed, framing the criticism as an affront to the throne itself rather than ordinary commentary. He maintained that the Alaafin was not late but had arrived exactly as scheduled, and called on Dasylva to retract his claims and issue an apology.
