Setting Records Straight: Benin and Yoruba Historical wars(Battle of supremacy)


The first edition of this article was titled, “Yoruba and Benin Kingdom: The Missing Gap of History”, following the statement credited to Oba Ereduwa OmoN'oba Iku Opolopolo, that the Yoruba race originated from Benin Kingdom, though rich in details and calls for re-examination by historians of high repute from all the Nigerian universities and recognized institutions not from uneducated and bias sources of chambers or shrines of some Obas or traditional rulers as presently being envisaged or contemplated. The statement from Ooni of Ife disputing the fact of Oba of Benin was also strong enough, but more mythological and also capable of influencing some academic exercises. The statement from the two kings and the follow up from Oba of Lagos and host of others had generated lots of discussion worldwide but some questions still remain unanswered. The second publication was titled: “Ile Ife: The Final Resting Place of History”. In doing further research, I will now title my little contribution: "Yoruba and Benin Kingdom: Classical Historical 'War' of Supremacy."

Let us start our excursion to history with some indisputable records regarding the supremacy of Yoruba and by extension, Ile-Ife, over Benin Kingdom. I quote thus: "In 1916, when Aguobasimi was installed as Oba of Benin in place of his father who died in Calabar while on exile, and the royal messengers of the then Ooni of Ife - Oba Ademiluyi(aka Lawarikan), went to him after a series of earnest requests, they delivered Ooni's message thus: "YOUR FATHER GREETS YOU." (See Nigerian National Archives: Oyo Prof. 1, File 133, 24th May, 1916). And listen to this: "The place called "Orun-Oba-Ado Bini" is the site from where great Oranmiyan set out to found the Yoruba Dynasty in Benin, and it is to here that the heads of the Kings of Benin were brought for burial.
https://m.facebook.com/notes/segun-fadipe/yoruba-and-benin-kingdoms-classical-historical-war-of-supremacy/842440072451760/

Yoruba Kingdoms - Benin and Ife
In 1975 the Republic of Dahomey changed its name to the Republic of Benin, after the Bight of Benin ["Where few come out but many go in”], which in turn was named after the Benin Empire, a powerful entity that existed from 1440 to 1897 in what is today Nigeria. "Benin" is a Portuguese corruption of "Ubinu," the administrative center of the Empire, which is today called Benin City, capital of Edo State. Dahomey's rechristening in 1975 caused no end of confusion ever since, so to clarify things: Benin City (the historical Benin Empire) is approximately 250 miles east of Porto Novo, capital of the present-day Republic of Benin. The two entities have no historical connection whatsoever.

The Yoruba kingdoms of Benin and Ife sprang up between the 11th and 12th centuries. The present-day Benin monarch declared his ancestry from Oranmiyan through Ekaladerhan and direct to the Ogiso dynasty. The statement made by the Ooni of Ife debunked the Oba of Benin's declaration of the ancestry of Benin Kings, insisting that Benin was one of the kingdoms founded by Oduduwa who descended from heaven to Ile-Ife with four hundred deities.
https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/africa/yoruba.htm


Benin Kingdom in Edo is Yoruba territory — Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Tuesday said Benin Kingdom in Edo State remained part of the expansive Yoruba race, a pronouncement that may spark fresh rivalry and altercation between people of the two ancient kingdoms.

The monarch made the comment in reaction to a statement credited to the palace of the Oba of Benin challenging the claim by the Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Gbadebo, that the Ooni of Ife remained the pre-eminent spiritual leader in Yorubaland and environs.

Oba Ogunwusi, via a statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, made available to PREMIUM TIMES, said he was not interested in any supremacy battle with anyone but that he would continue to put the records straight and avoid distortion of history from any quarters.

The monarch said going by historical evidence detailing the Oduduwa lineage, Benin Kingdom remained part and parcel of Oduduwa House.

“We in Oduduwa land have always seen and regarded our people in Benin kingdom as part and parcel of Oduduwa House. They are our brothers and sisters, coupled with historical facts to back up this position,” Ooni Ogunwusi said.

“The statement credited to the Alake of Egbaland, did not emanate from us but the reality is that as a highly experienced and well informed monarch, Kabiyesi Alake, who is a bonafide Oodua descendant is entitled to his opinion based on his knowledge and understanding of history,” the Ooni said.

“Let me emphasize for the umpteenth time that Kabiyesi Ooni is less concerned over any supremacy hullabaloo. He is only interest for now in how the sacred throne of Oduduwa can explore measures through which the collective interest and genuine unity among Yoruba and other tribes within the larger House of Oduduwa can be enhanced.

“This informed his resolve to build bridges of harmony among Yourba Obas. I am resolutely committed to how Yoruba ethnic group can restore its glory and pride of position among other ethnic inclinations in Nigeria and don’t want to be dragged into supremacy contest or join issues with anybody.”

The traditional ruler said he recalled that about six years ago, attempt was made by some people to upturn history during the launch of a book titled: I REMAIN SIR, YOUR OBEDIENT SERVANT, which he said stood historical facts on its head.

Oba Ogunwusi stated that If the position espoused by the Oba of Benin Palace in the media “is aimed at distancing our people in Benin from the South West and Yoruba, so be it.”

He however added, “We still identify with them as our kinsmen, regardless of the attempt to change the course of history.”

The Alake had, while hosting the Oba Ogunwusi in his palace on February 7, rated the Ooni as the number one monarch in Yorubaland and other territories considered part of the Oduduwa House.

In his rating, Oba Gbadebo said Oba Ogunwusi was number one of the five principal Obas in Yorubaland, followed by the Alaafin of Oyo, then by the Oba of Benin (in third position), the Alake of Egbaland (fourth) and the Awujale of Ijebuland (fifth).

But in a swift reaction on Tuesday, the Esogban of Benin and Odionwere of the Kingdom, David Edebiri, rejected the ranking, saying the Ooni of Ife was a son of the Oba of Benin and that the Oba of Benin stool has no relationship with the Yoruba race.

The Esogban said, “We wanted to discard this report as something that was not necessary at all. We do not see how the Alake of Egbaland suddenly woke up to think that the Oba of Benin is also a Yoruba Oba.

“There is no basis for such classification; Oba of Benin has nothing to do with the Yoruba Obas. It is simply unnecessary, unless they simply want to stir up an unnecessary controversy.

“We are not in Yorubaland. To be frank, it is because many of them are not willing to come up with the truth, the word Oba is alien to Yoruba monarchy; it is not part of their title from time immemorial.

“For instance, the one they call the Oba of Lagos, these are recent adaptations. In the 50s, there was no Oba of Lagos, what we had was the Eleko of Eko. That is the title of the King there. In Ibadan, you have the Olu Ibadan. You come to Abeokuta, you have the Alake of Egba land. You come to Oyo, you have the Alaafin of Oyo. In Ilesha, you have the Owa-Obokun of IIesha. So no Yoruba monarch had as part of his titles the word Oba except the Oba of Benin.

“That word Oba is indigenous to Benin. It is only in recent times you find everybody bearing Oba. When the Western Regional conference of traditional rulers took place in Benin City in 1942, go and check the attendance, there was no other monarch in the whole of the Western Region then that bore the title of Oba, except the Oba of Benin.

“So it is an unnecessary excursion, an unnecessary attempt to turn history upside down by the Alake by classifying the Oba of Benin as third in the hierarchy of kings.

“Our own traditional history says that the Ooni of Ife was a Benin Prince who wandered from here to Ife, settled there and became the ruler there. That is the position, if they don’t know, they should send people here; we will teach them.

“We will show them landmarks. So this is unnecessary misrepresentation of history. Maybe the Alake wanted to mention a different place and not Benin.

“The monarchical rulership in this part of the world started from Benin during the era of the Ogisos. It was the son of the last Ogiso, Owodo, that wandered from here to Ife and he became a ruler there, carrying everything about the Benin monarchical system to that place. There is no basis for such classification.

“The Ooni of Ife, by historical facts, is a son of the Oba of Benin, so they are not in the same class. The Oba of Benin is the only one that answers Oba, the rest don’t. But today, we hear Oba here and there, they are all recent adaptations. I am saying categorically that the word Oba is indigenous to Benin and not to Yoruba nation.”

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/198255-benin-kingdom-edo-yoruba-territory-ooni-ife-adeyeye-ogunwusi.html

Yoruba and Benin Kingdom: Ile Ife The Final Resting Place of History

Conclusion.



Alternatively, can we write off Alafin of Oyo from this discussion because his descendant failed to head the thrown at Ile Ife when Oranmiyan was called? No. Some will say since he was buried at Ife to symbolize his rights to the thrown or why did all his brothers fail to challenge his right to the Ife thrown if he indeed was the last born maybe, that part of history was right that Oranmiyan was the first born not the last as mentioned by Oba of Benin. They’re so many unanswered questions of history. The answer is not if we will offend ourselves or change the place of Edo’s or Yoruba in history but who we are and where we were coming from. It is often said that it is a taboo to bury a king in exile. Ile Ife from all indications and by having the heads of all the late kings of Benin and that of Oranmiyan himself buried at Ile Ife to this writer is the source of Edos and Yoruba and this fact must not be distorted with sentiments.

http://www.gamji.com/article4000/NEWS4738.htm

Lalasticlala

Lol

Yoruba go use logic finish benin.



So finally Edos are yorubas.
Cc
greyboy.

what a load of rubbish, the Bini general known as isidahome took down that area in war, despite ovonramwens mistake of not placing dukes and enogies as reagents there, they paid homages to benin empire till recently when it stopped, et your facts right nigga

what a load of rubbish, the Bini general known as isidahome took down that area in war, despite ovonramwens mistake of not placing dukes and enogies as reagents there, they paid homages to benin empire till recently when it stopped, et your facts right

Yorubas are a conquered people granted freedom by the British. This contraption called Nigeria favors only the Yorubas and hausas/Fulani. Oba of Lagos has confirmed it that Lagos belonged to the Bini kingdom. Instead of you Yorubas to think of how to reclaim kwara from the the decendants of uthman Dan fodio you are online rewriting history

Ctorch:
Setting Records Straight: Benin and Yoruba Historical wars(Battle of supremacy)


The first edition of this article was titled, “Yoruba and Benin Kingdom: The Missing Gap of History”, following the statement credited to Oba Ereduwa OmoN'oba Iku Opolopolo, that the Yoruba race originated from Benin Kingdom, though rich in details and calls for re-examination by historians of high repute from all the Nigerian universities and recognized institutions not from uneducated and bias sources of chambers or shrines of some Obas or traditional rulers as presently being envisaged or contemplated. The statement from Ooni of Ife disputing the fact of Oba of Benin was also strong enough, but more mythological and also capable of influencing some academic exercises. The statement from the two kings and the follow up from Oba of Lagos and host of others had generated lots of discussion worldwide but some questions still remain unanswered. The second publication was titled: “Ile Ife: The Final Resting Place of History”. In doing further research, I will now title my little contribution: "Yoruba and Benin Kingdom: Classical Historical 'War' of Supremacy."

Let us start our excursion to history with some indisputable records regarding the supremacy of Yoruba and by extension, Ile-Ife, over Benin Kingdom. I quote thus: "In 1916, when Aguobasimi was installed as Oba of Benin in place of his father who died in Calabar while on exile, and the royal messengers of the then Ooni of Ife - Oba Ademiluyi(aka Lawarikan), went to him after a series of earnest requests, they delivered Ooni's message thus: "YOUR FATHER GREETS YOU." (See Nigerian National Archives: Oyo Prof. 1, File 133, 24th May, 1916). And listen to this: "The place called "Orun-Oba-Ado Bini" is the site from where great Oranmiyan set out to found the Yoruba Dynasty in Benin, and it is to here that the heads of the Kings of Benin were brought for burial.
https://m.facebook.com/notes/segun-fadipe/yoruba-and-benin-kingdoms-classical-historical-war-of-supremacy/842440072451760/

Yoruba Kingdoms - Benin and Ife
In 1975 the Republic of Dahomey changed its name to the Republic of Benin, after the Bight of Benin ["Where few come out but many go in”], which in turn was named after the Benin Empire, a powerful entity that existed from 1440 to 1897 in what is today Nigeria. "Benin" is a Portuguese corruption of "Ubinu," the administrative center of the Empire, which is today called Benin City, capital of Edo State. Dahomey's rechristening in 1975 caused no end of confusion ever since, so to clarify things: Benin City (the historical Benin Empire) is approximately 250 miles east of Porto Novo, capital of the present-day Republic of Benin. The two entities have no historical connection whatsoever.

The Yoruba kingdoms of Benin and Ife sprang up between the 11th and 12th centuries. The present-day Benin monarch declared his ancestry from Oranmiyan through Ekaladerhan and direct to the Ogiso dynasty. The statement made by the Ooni of Ife debunked the Oba of Benin's declaration of the ancestry of Benin Kings, insisting that Benin was one of the kingdoms founded by Oduduwa who descended from heaven to Ile-Ife with four hundred deities.
https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/africa/yoruba.htm


Benin Kingdom in Edo is Yoruba territory — Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Tuesday said Benin Kingdom in Edo State remained part of the expansive Yoruba race, a pronouncement that may spark fresh rivalry and altercation between people of the two ancient kingdoms.

The monarch made the comment in reaction to a statement credited to the palace of the Oba of Benin challenging the claim by the Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Gbadebo, that the Ooni of Ife remained the pre-eminent spiritual leader in Yorubaland and environs.

Oba Ogunwusi, via a statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, made available to PREMIUM TIMES, said he was not interested in any supremacy battle with anyone but that he would continue to put the records straight and avoid distortion of history from any quarters.

The monarch said going by historical evidence detailing the Oduduwa lineage, Benin Kingdom remained part and parcel of Oduduwa House.

“We in Oduduwa land have always seen and regarded our people in Benin kingdom as part and parcel of Oduduwa House. They are our brothers and sisters, coupled with historical facts to back up this position,” Ooni Ogunwusi said.

“The statement credited to the Alake of Egbaland, did not emanate from us but the reality is that as a highly experienced and well informed monarch, Kabiyesi Alake, who is a bonafide Oodua descendant is entitled to his opinion based on his knowledge and understanding of history,” the Ooni said.

“Let me emphasize for the umpteenth time that Kabiyesi Ooni is less concerned over any supremacy hullabaloo. He is only interest for now in how the sacred throne of Oduduwa can explore measures through which the collective interest and genuine unity among Yoruba and other tribes within the larger House of Oduduwa can be enhanced.

“This informed his resolve to build bridges of harmony among Yourba Obas. I am resolutely committed to how Yoruba ethnic group can restore its glory and pride of position among other ethnic inclinations in Nigeria and don’t want to be dragged into supremacy contest or join issues with anybody.”

The traditional ruler said he recalled that about six years ago, attempt was made by some people to upturn history during the launch of a book titled: I REMAIN SIR, YOUR OBEDIENT SERVANT, which he said stood historical facts on its head.

Oba Ogunwusi stated that If the position espoused by the Oba of Benin Palace in the media “is aimed at distancing our people in Benin from the South West and Yoruba, so be it.”

He however added, “We still identify with them as our kinsmen, regardless of the attempt to change the course of history.”

The Alake had, while hosting the Oba Ogunwusi in his palace on February 7, rated the Ooni as the number one monarch in Yorubaland and other territories considered part of the Oduduwa House.

In his rating, Oba Gbadebo said Oba Ogunwusi was number one of the five principal Obas in Yorubaland, followed by the Alaafin of Oyo, then by the Oba of Benin (in third position), the Alake of Egbaland (fourth) and the Awujale of Ijebuland (fifth).

But in a swift reaction on Tuesday, the Esogban of Benin and Odionwere of the Kingdom, David Edebiri, rejected the ranking, saying the Ooni of Ife was a son of the Oba of Benin and that the Oba of Benin stool has no relationship with the Yoruba race.

The Esogban said, “We wanted to discard this report as something that was not necessary at all. We do not see how the Alake of Egbaland suddenly woke up to think that the Oba of Benin is also a Yoruba Oba.

“There is no basis for such classification; Oba of Benin has nothing to do with the Yoruba Obas. It is simply unnecessary, unless they simply want to stir up an unnecessary controversy.

“We are not in Yorubaland. To be frank, it is because many of them are not willing to come up with the truth, the word Oba is alien to Yoruba monarchy; it is not part of their title from time immemorial.

“For instance, the one they call the Oba of Lagos, these are recent adaptations. In the 50s, there was no Oba of Lagos, what we had was the Eleko of Eko. That is the title of the King there. In Ibadan, you have the Olu Ibadan. You come to Abeokuta, you have the Alake of Egba land. You come to Oyo, you have the Alaafin of Oyo. In Ilesha, you have the Owa-Obokun of IIesha. So no Yoruba monarch had as part of his titles the word Oba except the Oba of Benin.

“That word Oba is indigenous to Benin. It is only in recent times you find everybody bearing Oba. When the Western Regional conference of traditional rulers took place in Benin City in 1942, go and check the attendance, there was no other monarch in the whole of the Western Region then that bore the title of Oba, except the Oba of Benin.

“So it is an unnecessary excursion, an unnecessary attempt to turn history upside down by the Alake by classifying the Oba of Benin as third in the hierarchy of kings.

“Our own traditional history says that the Ooni of Ife was a Benin Prince who wandered from here to Ife, settled there and became the ruler there. That is the position, if they don’t know, they should send people here; we will teach them.

“We will show them landmarks. So this is unnecessary misrepresentation of history. Maybe the Alake wanted to mention a different place and not Benin.

“The monarchical rulership in this part of the world started from Benin during the era of the Ogisos. It was the son of the last Ogiso, Owodo, that wandered from here to Ife and he became a ruler there, carrying everything about the Benin monarchical system to that place. There is no basis for such classification.

“The Ooni of Ife, by historical facts, is a son of the Oba of Benin, so they are not in the same class. The Oba of Benin is the only one that answers Oba, the rest don’t. But today, we hear Oba here and there, they are all recent adaptations. I am saying categorically that the word Oba is indigenous to Benin and not to Yoruba nation.”

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/198255-benin-kingdom-edo-yoruba-territory-ooni-ife-adeyeye-ogunwusi.html

Yoruba and Benin Kingdom: Ile Ife The Final Resting Place of History

Conclusion.



Alternatively, can we write off Alafin of Oyo from this discussion because his descendant failed to head the thrown at Ile Ife when Oranmiyan was called? No. Some will say since he was buried at Ife to symbolize his rights to the thrown or why did all his brothers fail to challenge his right to the Ife thrown if he indeed was the last born maybe, that part of history was right that Oranmiyan was the first born not the last as mentioned by Oba of Benin. They’re so many unanswered questions of history. The answer is not if we will offend ourselves or change the place of Edo’s or Yoruba in history but who we are and where we were coming from. It is often said that it is a taboo to bury a king in exile. Ile Ife from all indications and by having the heads of all the late kings of Benin and that of Oranmiyan himself buried at Ile Ife to this writer is the source of Edos and Yoruba and this fact must not be distorted with sentiments.

http://www.gamji.com/article4000/NEWS4738.htm

Lalasticlala

Oduduwa never existed stop living in mythology

Osagyefo98:
Lol

Yoruba go use logic finish benin.



So finally Edos are yorubas.
Cc
greyboy.

Nor mind them they are confused bigot

Oduduwa never existed it was created to unite the yoruba people

Nri was created to unite the igbo people unlucky for them the internet caught up with them....

Oduduwa myth came earlier


How would 40 million peole come out from one ancestory rubbish......

Even the hausas are mixed with fulani to attain thier populus number the hausas dont even have one ancestory within themselves, the igbos are also mixed with igalas to attain thier population

Oduduwa is a myth..... Period

Osagyefo98:
Lol

Yoruba go use logic finish benin.



So finally Edos are yorubas.
Cc
greyboy.

See how angry an author was towards edo people for altering thier history to inhabit ife which was never there....
The truth is benin-ife never existed it was a political struggle for power amongst the traditional rulers in the former western region
Everyone forged thier imaginary story of Oduduwa who never existed, the edo formed thiers too but unlucky for them they were strangers among the yoruba community
Luck ran out of the oba of benin because he was
More of a bigger opponent against the other yoruba monarchs, they ganged up against him and supported the ooni who awolowo elevated
The edo became marginalize same as the people in delta , the yorubas elevated the olu of itsekiri in delta state because itsekiri are seen as yorubas
Edo and delta later pulled out successfully awolowo had resisted the pulling out

Uptill today the fight is still on alafin saying ooni is a servant of Oduduwa, ooni saying alafin is a son but the fight against the yorubas are silent
Because the oba of benin is the biggest treat to the ooni and the entire yoruba.....
So the tussle to claim benin history to yoruba is what is thier angenda if they can do thst all benin history will mean nothing to them but the glory will be going to the yorubas, when benin says we conquered lagos they will say benins are yorubas na, it will now belike yorubas conquered yorubas nothing there.....

Even if benin oneday accept to be yorubas which they are not, they will be relegate to as third behind alafin, if the oba of benin is made second as the cooked up story described the alafin will protest and truth will fly out, the truth is oba of benin and ooni wants to be first alafin don't mi d remaining second but not third



Mind you Oduduwa if he had truly existed was just a random guy who was just a priest Oduduwa was not the progenitor of yoruba race because he existed 900yrs ago


The yorubas know the real story of Oduduwa edo just joined in for political aim


Mhen Oduduwa stuff was a political play......


I will explain bettwr in my book

gregyboy:




Oduduwa never existed stop living in mythology

Even your did not dare say that, much more a looney like you.

[s]

gregyboy:



See how angry an author was towards edo people for altering thier history to inhabit ife which was never there....
The truth is benin-ife never existed it was a political struggle for power amongst the traditional rulers in the former western region
Everyone forged thier imaginary story of Oduduwa who never existed, the edo formed thiers too but unlucky for them they were strangers among the yoruba community
Luck ran out of the oba of benin because he was
More of a bigger opponent against the other yoruba monarchs, they ganged up against him and supported the ooni who awolowo elevated
The edo became marginalize same as the people in delta , the yorubas elevated the olu of itsekiri in delta state because itsekiri are seen as yorubas
Edo and delta later pulled out successfully awolowo had resisted the pulling out

Uptill today the fight is still on alafin saying ooni is a servant of Oduduwa, ooni saying alafin is a son but the fight against the yorubas are silent
Because the oba of benin is the biggest treat to the ooni and the entire yoruba.....
So the tussle to claim benin history to yoruba is what is thier angenda if they can do thst all benin history will mean nothing to them but the glory will be going to the yorubas, when benin says we conquered lagos they will say benins are yorubas na, it will now belike yorubas conquered yorubas nothing there.....

Even if benin oneday accept to be yorubas which they are not, they will be relegate to as third behind alafin, if the oba of benin is made second as the cooked up story described the alafin will protest and truth will fly out, the truth is oba of benin and ooni wants to be first alafin don't mi d remaining second but not third



Mind you Oduduwa if he had truly existed was just a random guy who was just a priest Oduduwa was not the progenitor of yoruba race because he existed 900yrs ago


The yorubas know the real story of Oduduwa edo just joined in for political aim


Mhen Oduduwa stuff was a political play......


I will explain bettwr in my book

[/s]

You have not left your witchery behind. Look at how many threads you created...all pointing to same theme. You have lost it.
Bloody whinch!

BabaRamota1980:
[s][/s]

You have not left your witchery behind. Look at how many threads you created...all pointing to same theme. You have lost it.
Bloody whinch!

Wow, because we edos failed to give up our religion for the religion of the whiteman nigerians begin to tag us witch..... Lol

Nevertheless am just saying the truth

[s]

BabaRamota1980:


You have not left your witchery behind. Look at how many threads you created...all pointing to same theme. You have lost it.
Bloody whinch!

[/s]

You have not left your stupidity behind, arguing without points

Bloody fool!

gregyboy:



Wow, because we edos failed to give up our religion for the religion of the whiteman nigerians begin to tag us witch..... Lol

Nevertheless am just saying the truth

All your religions are foreign. You have no indigeneous religion. When Oranmiyan arrived witchery was your practice and when he left you were still deep in it. Even today. Olokun, Ogun, Yemoja, Ifa, and everything else you have, Christianity, are legacies left by your conquerors.

Stick with your indigeneous witchcraft.