Adeyinka Oyekan (June 30, 1911 – March 1, 2003) 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.[1]
Contents |
The role of the Oba has diminished with the coming of colonial 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.[2]