The Olowo of Owo is the paramount Yoruba king of
Owo, a city in
Ondo State
Ondo State ( yo, Ìpínlẹ̀ Oǹdó) is a state in southwestern Nigeria. It was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State. It borders Ekiti State to the north, Kogi State to the northeast, Edo State to the east, Delta State to ...
, southwestern
Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
which was the capital of
Yoruba between 1400 and 1600 AD.
Ojugbelu Arere, the first Olowo of Owo was the direct descendant of
Oduduwa
Oduduwa was a Yoruba divine king. According to tradition, he was the holder of the title of the ''Olofin'' of Ile-Ife, the Yoruba holy city. He ruled briefly in Ife, and also served as the progenitor of a number of independent royal dynastie ...
known as the ''father of the Yorubas''. The current Olowo of Owo is His Imperial Majesty, Alayeluwa,
Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III
Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III (born 6 July 1966) is the Olowo of Owo and Paramount Ruler of Owo Land. His father was Oba Adekola Ogunoye II, the Olowo of Owo, who reigned between 1968 and 1993. His mother was Olori Adenike Yeyesa Ogunoye. O ...
, who is also the 32nd paramount ruler of
Owo kingdom. The name ''Owo'' meaning ''Respect'' in British English was coined from the intrigue attitude of Ojugbelu who was the pioneer ''Olowo of Owo''.
Ruling families
Owo is ruled by princes who are descendants of Olowo Elewuokun according to
Ifá consultations. The king is often assisted by appointed chiefs collectively known as ''Edibo Ologho'' and other chief such as the, ''Sashere'', ''Ojumu Odo'', ''Elerewe Ayida'', ''Ajana Atelukoluko'', the ifa priest of Owo and ''Akowa loja'' who is the head of chiefs in Iloro quarters of Owo.
According to Owo traditions, the Olowo is often appointed by king-makers, '' Omolowo's '' after which the iloro chiefs under the leadership of ''Akowa loja'' play a significant role in the king installations. The iloro chief comprises the senior chiefs collectively known as ''Ighare'' and the others collectively known as the ''Ugbama''. Both play a major role during the installation of the appointed ''Olowo of Owo''.
Reigned Olowo
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Ojugbelu Arere, (1019-1070) the first Olowo of Owo
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Olowo Imade (1070-1106)
*
Olowo Korodo(1106-1156)
*
Olowo Agwobojoro(1156-1209)
*
Olowo Odondon (1209-1260)
*
Olowo Ajegunren (1260-1305)
*
Olowo Asunsola(1305 -1332)
*
Olowo Rerengejen(1340-1356)
*
Olowo Asunsoma(1356-1386)
*
Olowo Geja/Ogeja(1386-1430)
*
Olowo Imagele(1430-1481)
*
Olowo Alamuren(1481-1539)
*
Olowo Omasan(1539-1578)
*
Olowo Omaro(1578-1600)
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Olowo Osogboye(1600-1648)
*
Olowo Alubiolokun(1648-1690)
*
Olowo Otutubosun(1690-1719)
*
Olowo Ajagbusiekon
Ajagbusi Ekun was a traditional ruler of Owo Kingdom, Ondo state, southwestern Nigeria. He succeeded Olowo Ojugbelu Arere, the first Olowo of Owo
The Olowo of Owo is the paramount Yoruba king of Owo, a city in Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria ...
(1719-1760)
*
Olowo Ajaka(1760-1781)
*
Olowo Elewuokun
Olowo Elewuokun was a traditional ruler of Owo Kingdom, Ondo state, southwestern Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, i ...
(1781-1833)
*
Olowo Aghagunghaye & Sons(1833-1876)
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Olowo Adaraloye (1876-1880)
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Olowo Aladetoun (1880-1889)
*
Olowo Aralepo Olubila(1889)
*
Olowo Olagbegi Atanneye I(1889-1902)
*
Olowo Olateru Olagbegi I(1913-1938)
*
Olowo Ajike Ogunoye (1938-1941)
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Olowo Olateru Olagbegi II (1941-1968)
*Olowo
Adekola Ogunoye II (1968-1993)
*
Olowo Olateru Olagbegi II (1993-1999)
*
Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi III (1999-2019).
*
Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III
Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III (born 6 July 1966) is the Olowo of Owo and Paramount Ruler of Owo Land. His father was Oba Adekola Ogunoye II, the Olowo of Owo, who reigned between 1968 and 1993. His mother was Olori Adenike Yeyesa Ogunoye. O ...
(July 2019 - till date)
See also
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Owo
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Palace of Olowo of Owo
The Olowo's palace, Aghọfẹn Ọlọghọ, is the largest palace in Africa. It is located in Owo, a Local government areas of Nigeria, local government area in Ondo State, and has been dubbed a national monument by the federal government of ...
*
Royal titles of the Yoruba traditional rulers
References
{{Reflist
Yoruba royal titles
Owo