Prince Adediran Saheed Àlàó of the Adediran Atiba Ruling House, Omooba’s Compound, Oke Agunpopo, Oyo, has joined the race to become the next Alaafin of Oyo.
The Adediran ruling house, in a letter dated 25 June, 2023, submitted the name of Prince Adediran Saheed Alao to the Oyomesi Traditional Council.
The family in letter through Baba Iyaji of Oyo, Iyaji Quarters, Oyo, said its decision was in line with the Atiba Descendants Chieftaincy Declaration (Ref Number 486/55, dated 8th December, 1976).
In the letter titled “EXPRESSION OF INTEREST IN BECOMING THE ALAAFIN OF OYO” which was jointly signed by Adediran Bello, Adediran Fatai, Adediran Ayoade, Oladipupo Serifat Adediran, Adediran Tajudeen, Adediran Sarafa, Adediran Morufu, Adediran Abdulwasin, Adediran Kehinde, Adediran Adekunle, Prince Adediran Saheed Alao who is a successful business man across the country believes he is the right person to be the next Alaafin.
Alao in the letter submitted said the intention of becoming the next Alaafin is not sudden and it is what he considered necessary after he and his family have carefully examined his ability, capability, interest, cultural value, intelligence, educational background and respect for Yoruba race at large.
The letter reads; “Warm and respectful greetings to the entire Oyomesi and other Chiefs that our dear king, late Kabiesi Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III left behind. I pray you all live long in good health. Accept my condolence, may heaven be peaceful to our dear father.”
“My name is Adediran Saheed Adelekan, a grandson of Adediran, Baba ese apata in Agunpopo as usually called. As a child, I started my early childhood in Omooba compound along Adikuta road in Agunpopo.
“Prince Adediran Atiba was a son of Queen Abiara one of the Wives of late Alaafin Atiba.
“I lived with my grandfather where I learnt much about not only Yoruba traditions and cultures but also that of African cultures, traditions, history, civilization and development at large.
“The main purpose of writing this letter is to express my interest in becoming the next king, The Alaafin of Oyo.
“This intention is not sudden, it is what I considered necessary after my family and I have carefully examined my ability, capability, interest, cultural value, intelligence, educational background and respect for Yoruba race at large.
“In line with these, if I am chosen, I will always work to develop Oyo and its environs, as well as protect her people, and develop every aspect of the socio-cultural well-being of Oyo land and its environs.
“I will forever remain grateful if this letter is given due consideration. Thanks you.”
About Prince Adediran Saheed Àlàó
Adediran started his education background in ibadan where he attended Kumapayi Community High School, Ibadan.
He proceeded to the Federal Polytechnic, Offa where he obtained Higher National Diploma in Business Administration in the year 2007.
Prince Alao Adediran was frequent in Oyo throughout his early years and was regular at the Alaafin Oyo palace with his grandfather, to learn the rudiment of not only being a prince, but also the character of being a potential Alaafin. Alao is philanthropist and a proven leader, having served in various leadership capacities at his local residence in Jenriyin Estate, Ibadan.
Alao is the CEO Awereson Blockband and General Enterprises as well as Awereson Digital Solution in Ibadan. Alao is a philanthropist and community builder with track records.
He worked previously as a Customer Service Representative at WorldScreen Consult(Multi-Choice Nigeria) in the year 2012 till 2021 when he started his own Awereson Digital Solution(Multi-Choice Nigeria).
He has over the years been a member of professional associations and has held many leadership positions in corporate organisations, socio-cultural and professional organisations.