Oluwole Explained

Oluwole
Oba of Lagos
Reign:1837 - 1841
Predecessor:Adele
Successor:Akitoye
Birth Name:Oluwole
Birth Place:Lagos
Death Date:1841
Death Place:Lagos
Burial Place:Lagos
Father:Adele
Religion:Ifá

Oba Oluwole (died 1841) reigned as Oba of Lagos from 1837 to 1841. His father was Oba Adele.[1]

Rivalry with Kosoko

The genesis of Oba Oluwole and prince Kosoko's rivalry appears rooted in their competing bids for the Obaship of Lagos upon the death of Oba Adele.[2] When Oluwole became Oba, he banished Kosoko's sister, Opo Olu from Lagos, even after diviners found her innocent of practicing witchcraft.[3] Furthermore, after Oluwole quelled Kosoko's armed uprising known as Ogun Ewe Koko ("leaves of the coco-yam war"),[4] Oluwole dispatched his war captain - Yesufu Bada - on a military mission to recapture loot from Kosoko's camp.[5]

Death from accidental gunpowder explosion

Oluwole died in 1841 when lightning triggered an explosion at the Oba's place. Oluwole's body was blown to pieces and could only be identified by his royal beads adorning his body.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Mann. Kristin. Slavery and the Birth of an African City: Lagos, 1760-1900. Indiana University Press, 2007. 9780253348845. 45. 2007.
  2. Book: Fasinro. Hassan Adisa Babatunde. Political and cultural perspectives of Lagos. University of Michigan. 61.
  3. Book: Mann. Kristin. Slavery and the Birth of an African City: Lagos, 1760--1900. Indiana University Press, 2007. 9780253117083. 47–48. 2007-09-26.
  4. Book: Smith. Robert. The Lagos Consulate, 1851-1861. University of California Press, 1979. 9780520037465. 14–17. January 1979.
  5. Book: Yemitan. Oladipo. Madame Tinubu: Merchant and King-maker. University Press, 1987. 8.