Ìyál'ọ́jà

Ìyál'ọ́jà (pronounced e-yah-lo-ja) is a Yoruba word that literally translates to "Mother of the Market".[1] However, it has more commonly been used to refer to a prominent traditional chieftaincy title among the Yoruba people.

Folashade Tinubu-Ojo
Ìyál'ọ́jà of Nigeria
Reign29 October 2013 – present
Coronation29 October 2013
PredecessorAbibatu Mogaji
FatherBola Ahmed Tinubu

History

Across various Yoruba markets and the states they belong to, an Iyaloja is usually democratically chosen by her constituents (and is thereafter confirmed by the oba) or single-handedly chosen by the oba himself. In rare situations, like the case of the Iyaloja of Lagos in 2013, the deceased Iyaloja can choose her successor before her death. Historically, the Iyaloja of Lagos is referred to as "Iyaloja of Nigeria", despite the existence of other Iyalojas across various Yoruba-dominated states.[2]

Research into the ancient culture and tradition of the Yoruba people has shown that despite the chieftaincy structure being largely patriarchal, the female titleholders Iyalode, Iyaloja and Iyalaje are three of the most important leaders in the system, figures whose opinions carried as much weight as those of the male chiefs.[3][4] An equivalent male title known as Babaloja, meaning Father of the Market, is also functionally a subordinate of the Iyaloja.

List of "Iyalojas of Nigeria"
Name Reign
Abibatu Mogaji 1980s-2013[5]
Folashade Tinubu 2013-present

Controversies

On January 1, 2017, the News Agency of Nigeria reported that the Iyaloja of Ibadan, Chief Labake Lawal, had been impeached for financial misconduct by the "Ibadan Joint Traders Association". The supposedly removed Iyaloja later played down her removal, explaining that only the traditional monarch, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, had the authority to appoint or replace the Iyaloja.[6] On May 9 2017, after the appointment of Alhaja Iswat Abiola Ameringun as the new Iyaloja by the Olubadan, Chief Lawal described her removal as a show of ethnic bias and a reflection of a lack of due process as only the Olubadan-in-Council was capable of removing her.[7] A new development ensued when most of the members of the traditional council disagreed with the decision from the Olabadan and posited that the removal of Chief Lawal did not represent the position of most of the cabinet members.[8][9] Further to this, Chief Labake Lawal sued the Olubadan, Olubadan-in-Council and the newly installed Iyaloja for "violating her right to natural justice", urging the court to declare the new appointment "null, void and of no legal effect".[10]

In July 2013, it was reported that the daughter of former governor of Lagos State, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had been selected as the new Iyaloja of Lagos and the rest of Nigeria, pending the granting of official approval by the Oba of Lagos. This immediately caused a media storm, as critics argued that she wasn't qualified in terms of age and market experience. Others contended that it was a strategy by Chief Tinubu to acquire more power for his family among Lagosians.[11][12][13] The market leader for Lagos Mainland local government opined that her appointment was a collective one and was not politically influenced.[14] The Secretary General for Lagos Markets explained that her ascension was lawful, and in accordance with the market association's statutes. She also stated that she met the minimum requirement needed to be an Iyaloja.[15] It was also reported that Folashade was the choice of the late Iyaloja.[16] Despite these apparent hindrances to her coronation, on October 29 2013, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo was officially installed as the new Iyaloja. Those present at the ceremony included her stepmother, Oluremi Tinubu, the Oba of Lagos, and the Alake of Egbaland.[17][12]

References
  1. "State, Local Governments and the Management of Markets in Lagos and Ibadan since the 1950s". Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  2. admin (November 14, 2013). "Tinubu's daughter, Folashade opens up on Iyalode-General title". Encomium. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  3. Ogundipe, Ayodele (October 29, 2004). "Gender and Culture in Indigenous Films in Nigeria" (PDF). CODESRIA. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  4. "Share Women's political invisibility in Nigeria and need for Deliberate media agenda". Covenant University. July 13, 2014. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  5. Nwankwo, Nkechi (July 1, 2017). "Women's economic empowerment? Gendered strategies and institutions in Oke Arin market, Lagos" (PDF). Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  6. "Iyaloja of Ibadanland removed". The Punch. January 1, 2017. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  7. Ajayi, Ola (May 9, 2017). "Confusion in Ibadan markets as two claim Iyaloja title". Vanguard. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  8. "IYALOJA: Ibadan traditional council divided over Lawal's replacement". Vanguard. May 16, 2017. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  9. Oluwalana, Sam. "Cabinet members disown Olubadan over imposition, illegal stripping of Iyaloja". Daily Independent Newspaper. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  10. Ameh, Godwin. "Iyaloja drags Olubadan, others to court over removal". Dailypost. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  11. "Nigeria: Mogaji's Successor - PDP Calls Tinubu a Despot". THIS DAY. July 1, 2013. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  12. Ibiwoye, Dotun (November 5, 2013). "Knocks Kudos for Iyaloja-General's choice". Vanguard. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  13. Ezeamalu, Ben (June 24, 2013). "Lagos ACN denies reports of Tinubu appointing daughter as market leader". Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  14. "How Tinubu's daughter was appointed Iyaloja of Lagos". Premium Times. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  15. "LAGOS MARKETS SECRETARY GENERAL: WHY TINUBU'S DAUGHTER WAS CHOSEN AS NEW IYALOJA". Information Nigeria. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  16. "Life Remembered: Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji (1917-2013)". westernpostnigeria.com. June 16, 2014. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  17. "Markets Shut For New Iyaloja". PM News. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
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