History of Ojo Aburumaku

History of Ojo Aburumaku

OJO ABURUMAKU: DOUBLED AS BAALE OF OGBOMOSO AND AARE ONA KAKANFO OF YORUBALAND

Ojo Olannipa “Aburumaku” after the death of Baale Odunaro in 1865 became the 14th Baale (king) of Ogbomoso and at the same time the 11th Aare Onakakanfo (Generalissimo or Field Marshal) of Yorubaland.

Thus, Ojo Aburumaku became the third Aare Ona Kakanfo produced by Ogbomoso in Yoruba history. According to Ayo Adelowo, of the 15 Aare Onakakanfos to date, 7 are of Ogbomoso extraction. Of the old and new Oyo Empire which produced 12 Aare Ona Kakanfo (6) hailed from Ogbomoso.

Nicknamed “Aburumaku” because of his wickedness and stubbornness which he exhibited from the youth. He was commonly referred to as Ojo Aburumaku in his time.

Ojo Aburumaku’s father, Toyeje Akanni nicknamed “Alebiosu” meaning one who shines like the moon is an important and significant figure because his ascension to the throne of Ogbomoso had far reaching results and effects not only on the course of Ogbomoso history but indeed on Oyo empire as a whole.

Toyeje Akanni (1808-1831) also doubled as the 9th Baale (king) of Ogbomoso and 7th Aare OnaKakanfo (Generalissimo) of Yorubaland. He was Otun (Deputy) Aare Kakanfo to Afonja before becoming Baale of Ogbomoso.

He succeeded Afonja of Ilorin at a point when the peace and order that reigned during the kingship of Alaafin Abiodun was no more. Toyeje Akanni was exceptionally brave; he took part in war campaigns and tried all his best to bring back order to Old Oyo Empire (Oyo-Ile).

On the other hand, Ojo Olannipa (Aburumaku) was not like his father, Toyeje Akanni (Alebiosu). In the words of Professor Oyerinde N.D., Ojo Aburumaku was determined and desperate, for instance, to get rich rightly or wrongly.

In another instance, Chief Oyebisi Okewuyi also mentioned how Ojo Olannipa Aburumaku used contact and connection to become Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland from Alaafin Adelu without going to any war or having any reputation that qualifies