The Yoruba community in Enugu State has selected Alhaji Abdulazeez Adebayo as its first-ever Oba. This event marks a significant milestone for the Yoruba people residing in the southeastern Nigerian state.
Adebayo, who hails from Osun State, was unanimously chosen by the Yoruba community in Enugu, which comprises individuals from seven states, including Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos, Kogi, and Kwara.
The announcement was made during a meeting of the Yoruba community in Enugu on Tuesday, where Adebayo was formally introduced as the new traditional ruler. The Oba title, a respected and revered position within Yoruba culture, has never before been held by anyone in the Yoruba community living in Enugu, making Adebayo’s selection a momentous occasion.
In his address to the community, Adebayo expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him by the Yoruba people in Enugu. He emphasised that the Yoruba ethnic nationality in Enugu is a diverse and vibrant community, comprising various unions such as the Ibadan Progressive Union, Ede Descendants, and others representing different Yoruba towns and regions.
“Today, the Ibadan Progressive Union decided to associate and join the Progressive Yoruba Community in Enugu State since what we have been yearning for many years—to have an Oba—has come true,” Adebayo remarked.
The new Oba explained that the process of selecting him involved a careful search for someone with a good record, exemplary behavior, and the ability to care for and represent the Yoruba people in Enugu effectively. He noted that the person chosen for the role must be trustworthy and dedicated to the community’s well-being.
The journey to the selection of the Oba began several years ago. According to Adebayo, the desire for the Yoruba community in Enugu to have a traditional ruler was first voiced in 2018 when several individuals expressed interest in the position. However, the process took time as the community wanted to ensure that the best candidate was chosen.
Adebayo revealed that during the lengthy selection process, three aspirants unfortunately passed away, further complicating the decision-making process. This loss prompted the Yoruba elders in Enugu to seek a neutral and trusted individual to take up the mantle of leadership. Adebayo, who has lived in Enugu since February 7, 1979, was ultimately called upon to assume the position.
“I came to Enugu on Feb. 7, 1979, and since then, I have lived peacefully in the state,” Adebayo shared, reflecting on his long-standing connection to the state and the Yoruba community there.
As the new Oba, Adebayo called on all members of the Yoruba community in Enugu to support him in his role. He emphasised the importance of unity, love, and cooperation among the Yoruba people, urging those who had not yet joined the community to come together for the betterment of all.
Chief Valentine Adesina, one of the initial aspirants for the Oba position, also spoke during the meeting. He acknowledged that there had been some leadership tussles among the aspirants during the selection process, but ultimately, the community’s elders formed a committee to carefully consider the candidates.
“After the general meeting, they agreed to have a committee that will look into that; we were about seven, including me, but it was reduced to three,” Adesina explained.
He further noted that while the community did not conduct a formal election, they considered various criteria, including age and character, in making their decision. In the end, the elders selected Adebayo, recognizing his extensive experience and long-standing service to the Yoruba community in Enugu.
“He has been one of the pioneer members piloting the affairs of the community for about 35 years now,” Adesina said, highlighting Adebayo’s deep understanding of the community’s needs and challenges.
He also mentioned that many of the Yoruba elders who started with Adebayo in Enugu had either returned to their home states or passed away, leaving Adebayo as one of the most knowledgeable and experienced leaders still active in the community.
In a gesture of goodwill and to promote unity within the community, Adesina stated that he decided to step down and support Adebayo’s leadership. “I decided to step down for him to move the community forward,” he said, underscoring the importance of collective progress over individual ambition.
The selection of Alhaji Abdulazeez Adebayo as the first Oba of the Yoruba community in Enugu marks the beginning of a new era for the community. As the Oba, Adebayo is expected to play a crucial role in uniting the Yoruba people in Enugu, promoting their culture and traditions, and ensuring their interests are well-represented within the broader society of Enugu State.
