Descendants of Yoruba warriors, who fought in the Kiriji War which lasted 16 years, have reunited after the war ended 140 years ago.

The unification ceremony with the theme “Aare Latoosa 140 Years Remembrance,” which was held on Sunday, August 11, at the ultra-modern Lekan Are Hall, Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre, Ibadan, brought together prominent Yoruba indigenes from all walks of life.

Speaking with the PUNCH, the Chairman of the Planning Committee of the Aare Latoosa 140 Years Anniversary, Alhaji Hameed Latoosa, stated that the event was organised for the unification of all Yoruba people. He added that the epoch-making anniversary also served as an opportunity for the remembrance of a prominent Yoruba warlord, Aare Latoosa, who died at the Kiriji War Camp on August 11, 1885, for the oneness of the Yoruba people.

“This programme is important because we are remembering the day our progenitor, Obadoke Iyanda Oyatoosa, died at the Kiriji War Camp. That was August 11, 1885. And we remember him today for the inspiration we got from him. And the offspring of his associates during his lifetime, like Ogedengbe Agbogungboro of Ilesa and Fabunmi Okemesi and all the warlords in Ibadan, are all here. In short, this event is for the unity of all Yoruba people,” Alhaji Latoosa said.

“And as part of the remembrance, we have been to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja 11, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1,” he added.

In his remarks, a traditional ruler and a grandson of another Kiriji warlord, Ogedengbe, Arole Olutayo Ogedengbe Agbogungboro of Ilesa, corroborated the importance of the unification.

He urged all Yoruba descendants to sustain the bond of unity, saying, “This event is to reunite all the parties that fought in the Kiriji War, which ended in 1885. Because our fathers, the warlords who fought in the war, never had any reunion of this nature after the war ended. So, this unity is worthy of celebration because we are not here today to fight but to advance the prevailing peace and harmony across Yorubaland.”

Also speaking on the theme of the event, Fabunmi Akin called on the sons and daughters of the Yoruba in the South-West to embrace the peaceful reunion as the underpinning of the event, towards the progress of Nigeria.

“I am highly elated about the Aare Latoosa 140 remembrance anniversary. Because when you’re talking about the Yoruba extraction, even the White man holds us in high esteem. They know we have supernatural powers, beyond physically brandishing cutlasses or hoes,” Fabunmi said.

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji was represented at the event by the Director-General, Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, Barr. Wale Ojo-Lanre.

Ojo-Lanre in his address, expressed interest in the peace-making initiative by the organisers.

“As a student of History and a journalist, nobody either living or dead has covered the Yoruba land or South-West states like I do when it comes to tourism and culture.

“So I am interested in this peace-making initiative and development. And that’s why I am here today, and I congratulate Yorubaland, the families—all the warriors of Yorubaland now seeing themselves as one. It’s not a matter that when you sue someone, you are no longer friends—this event has proved such adage invalid,” Ojo-Lanre said.

Highlighting the importance of the event, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre, Adedamola Are, said the newly renovated Lekan Are Hall, which gulped several millions of naira, coincided with the Aare Latoosa 140 anniversary. According to him, the event is all about reconciliation, and not just a celebration of the greatness of Aare Latoosa.

“It is all about reconciliation and unity. So it’s not just a celebration of the greatness of this man, but it’s a celebration of the union of all these different subgroups within the Yoruba culture and states,” Are said.

“And bringing the hall into this equation, Lekan Are in the modern day was a recreation of Obadoke Latoosa. They were both generals—one was a war general, one was a man in peacetime. But both had a go-getter heart done attitude—that drive. So preparing Lekan Are Hall to host this event and marrying the two is synonymous, because it’s befitting to recognise both people who are really of the same generic tree,” Are added.

The high point of the event was the awards presentation to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, through Barr Wale-Ojo Lanre; Oba Fabunmi Oke Mesi; Arole Olutayo Ogedengbe Agbogungboro of Ilesa family; Owa Oye of Imesi Ile, through Oloye High Chief Olatunde Aluko; and Aare Afe Babalola, through Chief Morakinyo Kayegbon, among other awardees.

Present at the event were the Gbonka Olubadan of Ibadanland, who represented the Olubadan-In-Council; Chief Arulogun; Imam Oke Are, Tirimisiyu; traditional rulers, Mogajis; and other dignitaries. (The PUNCH)

• Chairman/CEO Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre, Adedamola Are (second right); Arole Olutayo Ogedengbe, Agbogungboro of Ilesa (first right); Chairman, Planning Committee of Aare Latoosa (third right), and Fabunmi A. Akin, Okemesi, at the event on Sunday