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Varsity don slams Alaafin over three-hour delay, lack of apology at event
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, has come under heavy hammer from a Professor of English at the University of Ibadan, Prof. Ademola Omobewaji Dasylva, over his alleged three-hour delay to a programme and failure to apologise after arriving.
Dasylva, who teaches drama, poetry, African Literatures and Oral Literature/Folklore Studies at the University of Ibadan, described the monarch’s conduct as disrespectful and inconsistent with the values of the revered Yoruba royal institution.
The don made the remarks in an article, titled: “Of Mythography and Mythognosis: A Complementary Perspective on Yoruba Mythology and The Relevance, Today,” published on the Toyin Falola Network.
According to Dasylva, the article partly celebrated the inauguration of the Alaafin Institute of Yoruba Studies at the Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, held on July 14, 2026.
Before I go on, however, let me mention, in passing, but for the maturity and discipline demonstrated by both the organisers, and the very cultured invited guests, an extreme patience taken for granted by some leaders and cultural icons, the well organised inauguration event of a foremost Yoruba Cultural Institute could have been thoroughly messed up, courtesy of the usual ‘Nigerian thing’, widely referred to as ‘African time,’” he wrote.
Dasylva said the event was scheduled to begin at 9am, with dignitaries, including retired Bishop (Prince) Ladigbolu, already seated, while the programme indicated that the Alaafin was expected at 9:55am.
The university lecturer alleged that the monarch did not arrive until 12:20pm, forcing guests to wait for more than three hours.
“However, the event had to be kept on hold, courtesy of Alaafin Owoade, who arrived at the venue at 12:20pm.
“In other words, people, including yours truly, were kept waiting for over three hours before the event finally took off.
“Perhaps it wouldn’t have mattered much had other important and peripheral activities including cultural dances, been allowed to fill up the gap pending the Alaafin’s arrival, but no.
“Everyone was kept waiting and wondering what could have taken the monarch that long to attend to a great honour bestowed on the revered Throne of the Alaafin and Ancestry.”
The professor said what disappointed him most was the absence of an apology from either the monarch or his representatives.
“Unfortunately, not a word of apology for the lateness of the Imperial Majesty and his entourage, either by his spokesperson or directly by His Imperial Majesty!
“But as a teacher of culture, a proud Yoruba, and an advocate of our rich African cultural heritage, I found that rather strange and incomprehensible.”
Dasylva argued that while such behaviour had become common among some politicians, it should not be associated with a foremost Yoruba monarch.
“I do know that many uncultured Nigerian politicians who have refused to outgrow their adult delinquency regularly do that a lot and take the people they are meant to serve for granted.
“However, may I say in all humility, it is least expected of a foremost Yoruba monarch, a significant institution that embodies Yoruba cultural values and the requisite discipline.
“To whom much is given much is required.
“Again, in all humility, I stand to be corrected.”
As at the time of filing this report, Oba Owoade, who is currently on vacation to Manitoba, Canada, where he resided before becoming Alaafin, could not be reached for comments on the professor’s condemnation.
The African Democratic Congress has given reasons why its presidential flag bearer Atiku Abubakar was absent at the G100 summit in Abuja.
ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, gave the explanation on Tuesday during an interview saying the summit focused on cooperation among political parties rather than individual candidates.
He said the ADC was fully represented at Monday’s meeting, with four of its vice chairmen in attendance, making Atiku’s physical presence unnecessary.
The summit, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, brought together representatives of major opposition parties to discuss possible cooperation ahead of the 2027 elections.
News
“Go Back and Repair Our Road!” — Enugu Residents Turn APC Campaign Ground Into Assessment Session(Video)
Drama unfolded in Enugu North when a man reportedly campaigning for the APC in Peter Mbah-branded clothing was confronted by residents over the condition of their community.
Instead of the expected campaign applause, residents turned the encounter into an impromptu accountability hearing.
Community: “As you were coming here, how did the road look?”
APC Supporter: “It is very terrible.”
Community: “Go and tell the people who sent you to come and construct the road for us.”
APC Supporter: “I will inform them.”
The residents did not stop there.
Community: “Is that not a primary school your community members attend? How is it?”
APC Supporter: “It is bad.”
And just like that, the campaign rally became a road-and-school inspection.
The Defence Headquarters has said the reported withdrawal of about 200 United States personnel from Nigeria will not affect the country’s security cooperation with the US, describing the development as a routine adjustment tied to specific operational objectives.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj Gen S. Uba, stated this on Tuesday while addressing journalists at the joint security spokespersons briefing.
Uba said the withdrawal should not be interpreted as a breakdown or termination of the longstanding security partnership between Nigeria and the United States.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to clarify that the reported withdrawal of about 200 United States personnel should not be interpreted as a breakdown or termination of the Nigeria-United States security partnership,” he said.
According to him, the relationship between both countries remains “strong, enduring, and mutually beneficial,” noting that the deployment of American personnel was linked to specific operational and counterterrorism objectives.
“The decision to draw down personnel is therefore part of the evolving nature of that engagement. Elements of the United States security partnership, particularly intelligence cooperation, training and information sharing, will continue,” Uba added.
He stressed that the responsibility for defending Nigeria and protecting its citizens remained primarily with Nigerian security forces, while noting that cooperation with the US aimed to strengthen the capabilities of the Nigerian military.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria has consistently maintained that the responsibility for the defence of Nigeria and the protection of its citizens rests primarily with Nigerian security forces,” the DDI said.
He explained that the bilateral security partnership covered intelligence sharing, training, technical assistance and other forms of professional military cooperation.
“Our cooperation with the United States is designed to strengthen our capabilities through intelligence sharing, training, technical assistance, and other forms of professional military cooperation,” he said.
Uba said that when Nigeria and the US jointly assessed the need for additional interventions, including joint strikes, they carried them out.
“Where it is jointly assessed that additional efforts, including joint strikes, are required, we do that,” he stated.
The defence spokesman said the partnership had continued to yield positive results in the fight against terrorism and other transnational security threats.
“Indeed, the Nigeria-United States partnership has continued to produce valuable outcomes in the fight against terrorism and other transnational security threats,” he said.
Uba urged the media and members of the public not to interpret the adjustment in the presence of foreign military personnel as an indication of weakening security cooperation or Nigeria’s defence capacity.
“We equally call on the media and the Nigerian public to avoid interpreting a routine or mission-specific adjustment in foreign military presence as evidence of a collapse in Nigerian security cooperation or national defence capability,” he said.
He reiterated that the Nigeria-US security relationship remained enduring and that cooperation in areas of mutual interest was expected to continue.
The clarification came after US officials said most of the additional forces deployed for the Lake Chad operation had returned following the completion of their mission, while intelligence sharing and broader security cooperation with Nigeria would continue.
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