In 1937, the first meeting of the Yoruba obas took place in the ancient city of Oyo at the palace hall of the Alaafin of Oyo. Five yoruba kings were in attendance. Subsequent meetings were held annually and moved around the domains of the traditional rulers. This picture was taken after the inaugural meeting in 1937. Seated L-R Oba Daniel Adesanya, Awujale of Ijebu-Ode, Alafin of Oyo, Oba Ladigbolu 1, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, Sir B H Bourdillion, Governor of Nigeria, Oba Akenzua 10, Oba of Benin, and Ladapo Adenola, Alake of Abeokuta.
Please note: Some people have argued that the meeting was that of western Nigeria Obas. But in 2016, when Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi visited Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi during the celebration of Alafin’s 45th anniversary on the throne, here is what Alafin said: “This special visit was done last in March 1937. That was the first time the kings in Yorubaland met in Oyo town and today, history was made with the visit of The Arole Oodua, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II and I feel delighted to host you and to reassure you that I am ready to work with you.”
Among the royal fathers that accompanied the Ooni to Oyo on this occasion were the Orangun of Ila, the Ajero of Ijero, the Timi of Ede, the Olu of Ilaro, the Alara of Aramoko Ekiti, the Oore of Otun Ekiti, the Owa Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, the Alayemore of Efon Alaye, the Akinrun of Ikirun, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji and the Elerin of Erin Osun.
