The Royal Ambassador of Oyo Kingdom, Aare Ayandotun Ayanlakin, tells EMMANUEL OJO about his childhood, family and career
What are your roles as a royal ambassador to the Oyo kingdom?
I have gained a lot in that position. Knowing the (late) Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, was a great thing for me. I worked hard for him and I portrayed him in a good light to the public.
How long have you been the royal ambassador?
I have been the royal ambassador for about 30 years, since 1992.
What are the duties you dispense as the royal ambassador?
My duty is to propagate the Alaafin in a good light everywhere, talk about the Yoruba people and promote the Yoruba culture.
How do you carry out these duties?
I go to social gatherings and meet people. When they ask me about the Oyo empire, I explain to them all what the Oyo empire is about.
Is it a full-time job and are you paid?
I have other things that I do but I spend most of my time promoting the Alaafin of Oyo. I have registered companies that I do different businesses with.
Having worked with the late Oba Adeyemi for years before he passed away, how will you describe him?
The man remains the best man I have worked with. He was a good man. He liked the Yoruba kingdom; he liked people and he liked me. He hated telling lies. If you told him lies, the Alaafin would hate you completely. He was a good man.
He was a king who put the interest of others ahead. If you told the Alaafin that you were broke or you didn’t have anything, he would sort you out with a lot of money. He paid part of the school fees for my children. When I had my children in America, Alaafin gave me money.
How did you become a royal ambassador to the Oyo kingdom?
As a member of the Island Club, the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, saw that I promoted the club well and he felt that if I worked with him, I would promote him as well. My grandfather was an Aare Ayan of the Oyo empire. So, Alaafin looked at the records of my grandfather and decided that he would replace my grandfather with me.
What does Aare mean?
Aare means president. It is used to describe a title holder. My title is Aare Oba. I am the royal ambassador.
What is your hierarchy in the royal cabinet of the Oyo kingdom?
The royal ambassador is a very big position. I represent the king everywhere. I go wherever he sends me.
At what point did the Alaafin install you?
