The Oluwo of Iwo in Osun State, Nigeria, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has refuted claims that Luwo Gbagida, the only female monarch in Ile-Ife’s history, was an Ooni, asserting instead that she was the 16th Alaafin of Ile-Ife.
Speaking against a recent BBC Yoruba documentary, the monarch criticized the media outlet for what he described as historical inaccuracies, including misnaming her as “Luwo Gbagidi” instead of “Luwo Gbagida.”
“It is imperative to react before this misinformation shapes the historical understanding of Yoruba sons and daughters,” Oba Akanbi said.
He explained that Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race, originally used the title of “Alaafin” after his conquest of Ife. According to him, the title “Ooni” only emerged later and was first used by the second ruler of Ife, Obamakin Osangangan.
Oba Akanbi further stated that a freed slave, Samuel Johnson, introduced the general use of the title “Ooni” for all Ife rulers to prevent a conflict with the Alaafin of Oyo, whom he considered his ancestral monarch.
Contrary to BBC’s claim that Luwo Gbagida was the 21st ruler of Ile-Ife, the Oluwo maintained that she was the 16th. He also emphasized her connection to Iwo, revealing that she was named “Luwo” in remembrance of her family’s earlier relocation from Iwo before settling in Ile-Ife.
The monarch also sought to clarify the history of Iwo’s traditional leadership, stating that Adekola Telu was not the first Oluwo of Iwo, but rather Olumade Paarin, who was instructed by Luwo not to wear a crown unless he found a place where parrots were hatching.
