Palace Warns Against Addressing Young Ondo Monarch As Bro Or Blood

THE palace of the Arujale-Ojime of Okeluse Kingdom in Ondo State has warned against what it described as disrespectful modes of address of its 22-year-old traditional ruler, Oba Oloyede Adekoya Akinghare II.
In a statement issued on behalf of the palace on Friday, January 23, Chief of Staff to the monarch, Prince Adefemi Olorunfemi, emphasised that the king must be addressed strictly as His Royal Majesty at all times, noting that any deviation from this would no longer be tolerated.
He frowned that some disrespectfully address the monarch as “bro or blood.”
The statement stated: “I write in my capacity as Prince Adefemi Michael Olorunfemi, Chief of Staff to the Arujale-Ojima of Okeluse Kingdom, Ondo State, to address an important matter that requires the attention of the general public.
“Kindly note that Alayeluwa Oba Oloyede Adekoya Akinghare II is to be addressed strictly as His Royal Majesty at all times.
“Any other form of address is unacceptable. The fact that His Royal Majesty is the youngest king in Yoruba land does not give room for disrespect in any form.
“Addressing our revered monarch with terms, such as ‘bro,’ ‘blood,’ or any casual or demeaning expressions is highly inappropriate and will no longer be tolerated. Such actions will be met with strong and decisive measures.
“His Majesty’s leniency and calm disposition should not be mistaken for weakness, nor should it be taken as permission to do the wrong thing. Especially for those who call themselves Yoruba, we should know better. Culture, tradition and respect for constituted authority are values we must uphold at all times.
“Regardless of your status, age or position in society, the king must be respected. This is non-negotiable. His Royal Majesty is not just our father; he is Igbakeji awon orisa, the representative of the gods on earth.
“The throne he occupies is sacred, and respect for the throne is respect for our heritage and identity as a people.”
The statement urged residents of the kingdom and the general public to always uphold the dignity of the throne, saying respect for the monarch remained central to the preservation of Yoruba culture and tradition.
Oba Akinghare ascended the throne at age 16 as a secondary school student when the kingship fell on him as the only son out of four children of his late father, who was the monarch of the kingdom.