As part of activities marking the 140th remembrance anniversary of the legendary Yoruba war general, Momodu Obadoke Aare Latoosa, his descendants on Monday, August 4, 2025, paid a historic visit to his ancestral home in Ilora, Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Aare Latoosa, who was the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, passed on during the Kiriji-Ekiti Parapo War at the Imesi-Ile camp of Ibadan warriors on August 11, 1885. His reign began on October 3, 1871, and spanned nearly 15 years.
Monday’s visit brought together descendants, admirers, and members of the Aare Latoosa family in celebration of the man whose legacy shaped the socio-political and military history of the Yoruba people.
The delegation, led by Mogaji Rilwan Adewale Aare and members of his Asubiaro-in-Council, was received in Ilora with traditional fanfare, including drum displays, songs, masquerade performances, and gun salutes in honour of the late warlord.
Residents of the Bantun-Oguduoje family compound and its environs turned out in large numbers to welcome the delegation and express pride in being the custodians of Aare Latoosa’s roots.
During the reception, Ilora elders including Oladepo Ogunleye, Paul Ogunleye, Oladejo Awujoola, and Folohunso Kayode Iroko shared heartfelt memories of Aare Latoosa’s early life in Ilora and his eventual move to Ibadan. They also took the delegation on a tour of significant historical sites within the community.
In his remarks, Mogaji Rilwan Adewale Aare Latoosa described the homecoming as a divine experience that will remain evergreen in his memory. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Aare Latoosa dynasty in Ibadan to preserve and promote the family’s legacy. He also unveiled a newly designed wall mural featuring a graphic image of Aare Latoosa.
Other dignitaries on the visit included Baálè of Bodija and its environs, Kabiru Ajibola Are; Baálè of Oyoode, Ishola Olawale Oyabiseyin; Elders Muftau Gbadamosi Are, Mojeed Ladoja Are, Isiaka Amodu Are, Judge Omoshalewa Onile-nla Are, Alhaja Bashira Bola Are, Alhaji Suleiman Zubair, and Chairman of the Planning Committee, Hameed Are Latoosa, among others.
The remembrance celebration continues on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, with a scheduled visit to Elebolo Forest, now renamed Ibúu Latoosa, in Imesi-Ile—where Aare Latoosa took his final breath.
Story by Feyisetan Hamzat and Jubril Arowolo-Are.
