22/08/2025
OPINION FOR DE-REPORTORIAL A Call for Strategic Wisdom: Reframing Royal Communications in Yorubaland
In the delicate realm of Yoruba monarchy, where tradition, symbolism, and ancestral legacy converge, the role of a royal publicist is not merely administrative, it is profoundly cultural and strategic. The recent statements attributed to Mr. Bode Durojaye, Press Secretary to the Alaafin of Oyo, concerning the Ooni of Ife and the conferment of a traditional title on a businessman, have stirred unnecessary tension and raised questions about the stewardship of royal communication.
While every journalist or publicist retains the liberty to shape narratives, those entrusted with the voice of revered institutions must exercise discernment, diplomacy, and native intelligence. The Alaafin’s office is not just a palace, it is a custodian of Yoruba heritage, a symbol of resilience, and a beacon of cultural pride. Any statement or press release from such an office must reflect the dignity, wisdom, and unity that the throne embodies.
The framing of an “ultimatum” and the subsequent clarification that Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Owoade is not engaged in a supremacy contest felt reactive and poorly calibrated. It inadvertently cast shadows over both royal stools and risked inflaming public sentiment. In a time when Yorubaland faces pressing developmental challenges, from linguistic to cultural erosion. Our monarchs must be seen as unifiers, not rivals.
Mr. Durojaye would do well to study the legacy of successful royal publicists who elevated their principals through tact, reverence, and strategic storytelling. The likes of late Funmilola Olorunnisola for late Ooni, Oba Sijuade, Prince Tunde Oloyede, who served the Oba of Lagos with grace, or the media handlers of the Awujale of Ijebuland, who consistently project wisdom and stability, offer instructive models. Their work did not merely defend their monarchs—it dignified them.
What Yoruba Obas need now is not supremacy battles or rhetorical skirmishes, but unity. A unity that transcends ego and embraces collective progress. A unity that channels the moral authority of the crowns toward youth empowerment, cultural preservation, and regional development. The Alaafin and the Ooni, as two of the most historically significant monarchs in Yorubaland, have the capacity to lead this renaissance, if their voices are harmonised and their messages are carefully curated.
Mr. Durojaye must recognise that his role is not just to release press statements, but to steward perception. He must protect the sanctity of the Alaafin’s image, not embroil it in avoidable controversies. His pen should be a bridge, not a sword. His statements should inspire, not incite. And above all, his loyalty must be to the enduring legacy of the throne, not transient headlines.
Let this moment be a turning point. Let the Alaafin’s media office become a hub of cultural diplomacy, strategic engagement, and visionary storytelling. Let it echo the wisdom of Oduduwa, the courage of Oranmiyan, and the unity of Yoruba ancestors who understood that strength lies not in division, but in collective purpose.
Yorubaland deserves better. And it begins with how we communicate the thoughts of our royal fathers.
