Adeyinka Oyekan
Encyclopedia
Adeyinka Oyekan was a member of the Lagos
royal family whose history dates back to the early seventeenth century. He was the Oba
of Lagos from 1965-2003. He attended the Methodist Boys High School and King's College, Lagos
before studying Pharmacy
at Yaba College of Higher Education. In 1965, he was installed Oba and subsequently became a member of the Western House of Chiefs, this was during a crisis in the western region of Nigeria which resulted in loss of lives. He was considered a pacifist and bridge builder during his reign.
and democratic institutions. However, an event that still has symbolic prestige and capital is that of chieftancy titles and awards. This dates back to the era of the Oyo
warrior chiefs and palace
officials when powerful individuals held prominent titles in the empire
. In Lagos, like in many areas of the country, chieftancy titles are given mostly to successful men from the Oba's territory and beyond. The titles also acts as symbolic capital that can be used to gain favor when desired by the Oba and sometimes vice versa. Though, few ceremonies are alike, a major capping ceremony in Lagos during the reign of Oyekan involved many local celebrities and title holders. The Oba is usually designed to be a major center of attention, as he leads the procession of title holders into a specially embroidered dais in front of a wider audience of guests and well wishers. Emblems are given out according to seniority, and drapery worn by the Oba and chiefs are created to be elaborate and also expensive. Most of the activities are covered by the local media
and enters the public sphere. This ceremony and the process of selection and maintenance of networks of chiefs is one of the major source of power for Oba's such as Oba Oyekan.
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
royal family whose history dates back to the early seventeenth century. He was the Oba
Oba (ruler)
Oba is a West African synonym for monarch, one that is usually applied to the Yoruba and Edo rulers of the region. It is also often used by their traditional subjects to refer to other kings and queens, such as Elizabeth I of England, in their native languages.-Edo account of the word's origin:The...
of Lagos from 1965-2003. He attended the Methodist Boys High School and King's College, Lagos
King's College, Lagos
King's College, Lagos is a secondary school in Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria. It was founded on 20 September 1909 with 10 students on its original site at Lagos Island, adjacent to Tafawa Balewa Square. The school admits male students only, although there were some female HSC students before the...
before studying Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
at Yaba College of Higher Education. In 1965, he was installed Oba and subsequently became a member of the Western House of Chiefs, this was during a crisis in the western region of Nigeria which resulted in loss of lives. He was considered a pacifist and bridge builder during his reign.
Royal duties
The role of the Oba has diminished with the coming of colonialColonialism
Colonialism is the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory. It is a process whereby the metropole claims sovereignty over the colony and the social structure, government, and economics of the colony are changed by...
and democratic institutions. However, an event that still has symbolic prestige and capital is that of chieftancy titles and awards. This dates back to the era of the Oyo
Oyo Empire
The Oyo Empire was a Yoruba empire of what is today southwestern Nigeria. The empire was established before the 14th century and grew to become one of the largest West African states encountered by European explorers. It rose to preeminence through its possession of a powerful cavalry and wealth...
warrior chiefs and palace
Palace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word itself is derived from the Latin name Palātium, for Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills in Rome. In many parts of Europe, the...
officials when powerful individuals held prominent titles in the empire
Empire
The term empire derives from the Latin imperium . Politically, an empire is a geographically extensive group of states and peoples united and ruled either by a monarch or an oligarchy....
. In Lagos, like in many areas of the country, chieftancy titles are given mostly to successful men from the Oba's territory and beyond. The titles also acts as symbolic capital that can be used to gain favor when desired by the Oba and sometimes vice versa. Though, few ceremonies are alike, a major capping ceremony in Lagos during the reign of Oyekan involved many local celebrities and title holders. The Oba is usually designed to be a major center of attention, as he leads the procession of title holders into a specially embroidered dais in front of a wider audience of guests and well wishers. Emblems are given out according to seniority, and drapery worn by the Oba and chiefs are created to be elaborate and also expensive. Most of the activities are covered by the local media
Mass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
and enters the public sphere. This ceremony and the process of selection and maintenance of networks of chiefs is one of the major source of power for Oba's such as Oba Oyekan.