HRM Alayeluwa Oba Olofinlade Afunbiowo Adesida I,The 41st Deji of Akure Kingdom who reigned from June 1897 to May 1957.Also known as Adesida The Great.He was a Visionary King who ruled with compassion, integrity, excellence, and wisdom.
He was very vast in Ifa Oracle and was spiritually inclined.Oba Afunbiowo was speculated to have used "ogun ajidowe" (vouth elixir) because just when it seemed like age was catching up on him,he springs up, looking younger than ever.
Oba Afunbiowo died in 1957 at the claimed age of 125, though likely at 101.His exact birth date is unknown as there were no written records in the 1830s or 1840s.Some historians explains that the omo-ori-ite rule in place in Akure before it was removed stated that a prince could only become king if he was born during the reign of his father.Because Oba Afunbiowo’s father Oba Ojijigogun began his reign in 1852, that would suggest that Oba Afunbiowo was born after 1852.Considering that he was also the younger brother of Oba Arosoye I and Prince Ifaturoti (both of whom would have also have to have been born after 1852),Oba Afunbiowo would have to be born at least after 1856, putting his death age at the more reasonable age of 101 when in died in 1957.
FACT CHECK
1-The Omo-Ori-ite rule was in place before the reign of Oba Afunbiowo and the rules stated that a prince could only become king if he was born during the reign of his father.Records show Oba Afunbiowo’s father Oba Ojijigogun began his reign in 1852, that would suggest that Oba Afunbiowo was born after 1852.
2-Records show Oba Afunbiowo’s first daughter Princess Tinuade Adetinu Famotua Nee Adesida was born in 1896.She later became the regent after the death of her father in 1957.In Akure tradition,only the first daughter can become the regent.
3-Oba Odundun I Reign from 1882–1890 and he died at the age of 54–55 because he was born circa 1830.And the same Omo Ori ite rule was in place when Oba Odundun's father began his reign in 1834,Oba Odundun would have had to have been born after that.Oba Afunbiowo’s father,Oba Ojijigogun was great uncle (as the younger brother of Oba Odundun’s father) to Oba Odundun 1.
4-Oba Ademuagun Adesida ll became Deji in 1957 at the age of 32 born in 1925 so if we follow the 125 year age,it means Aba ‘Funbiowo was around 93 years old when Oba Ademuagun was born which I don’t think is possible.
*The only way to prove that Oba Afunbiowo’s age was 125 when he died is if there was no Omo Ori ite rule before his father became king or before he was born OR we just have to accept that the Omo-Ori-ite rule started after the reign of Oba Afunbiowo but can anyone prove that?
How old do you think Oba Afunbiowo was when he died? Comment below
HRH Princess Adetutu Adesida
Credit: Oluwafemi Omodara
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