Adesida I was a Nigerianmonarch. He ruled the Akure Kingdom from June 22, 1897 until 1957. His lineal descendants are today known as the House of Adesida, part of the Ojijigogun Royal House. The Ojijigoguns serve as one of Akure's two legally recognized royal families.
Early life
Oba Adesida I was born as Prince Olofinlade Afunbiowo as the youngest son of Oba Ojijigogun, the Deji of Akure from 1852-1882 and one of his wives, Olori Adojolomo Lagokun, daughter of Chief Lagokun, the Sashere of Idanre, around the year 1832. He had two older half brothers Prince Alebiosu Obadua, later Arosoye I and Prince Ifaturoti Adegoroye, and many other siblings. Through his father, he claimed hereditary kinship with all of the preceding rulers of both Akure and the neighbouring kingdoms of Ijeshaland and Ikereland. His father was the son of Oba Arakale, who was executed by the Benin Empire, and his older uncle was Oba Osupa I. Several years before his birth, in 1818, the Kingdom of Benin had invaded his father's homeland and executed Oba Arakale, his paternal grandfather. The invaders spared his father's family, and they lived in Benin until the 1830s. Through his mother, he was a descendant of the Sashere of Idanre, Chief Lagokun. His father, Ojijigogungara, ruled Akure from 1852 until his death in 1882.
Marriage and children
As a monarch, Oba Adesida had many wives and at least 12 children. One of his wives was Olori Olojo Adesida, the daughter of the King Alani of Idoani. Three of his children became future Dejis of Akure, and his oldest son was one of the first western educated Akure natives. Prominent grandchildren of his include Oba Afunbiowo II, the musician King Sunny Ade, and the medical practitioner and historian Dr. Olawunmi Akintide.
Reign
In 1882, the Deji of Akure - his father Oba Ojijigogun - died. This created a vacancy in the office, and several eligible princes sought the throne, including Olofinlade's two siblings, Arosoye and Ifaturoti, and his first cousin, Odundun I. Oba Odundun was ultimately selected, and was crowned shortly afterwards. Adesida sought the throne again in 1890 when Odundun died but lost once again, this time to his older brother. He finally won in 1897 and ruled thereafter for 60 years, the longest reign in Akure history. Oba Adesida I's rule was characterized by increased British occupation and the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914. His cooperation with British authorities earned him the respect of the British rulers, and Queen Elizabeth II greeted him on her visit to Nigeria in 1956. Unlike many Yoruba rulers who also worshipped the traditional orisha of the Yoruba religion, Oba Adesida I welcomed Christian missionaries to Akure. In addition, his support for the British occupation can be seen from the fact that he sided with the colonial government when they introduced the first income tax, even when Akure people rioted and attacked him in his palace. He also supported the creation of the first church and primary school in Akure, leading his rule to be known as a "Golden Age of Akure" in terms of cultural transformation and education.
Death and legacy
Oba Adesida I died in 1957 at the estimated age of 125. His exact birth date is unknown as there were no written records in the 1830s. He was succeeded by his son under the regnal name Adesida II, and his progeny ruled Akure for another 42 years until the military government of Ondo State created the House of Osupa and subsequently placed a supposed descendant of Oba Osupa I on the throne thereafter. Two of his other sons also succeeded him as Oba Adesida III and Oba Adesida IV. His grandson was Oba Afunbiowo II. A prominent member of the Adesida royal family is King Sunny Ade, a world famous juju singer, who is Oba Adesida I's grandson through his daughter, Princess Maria Adegeye Adeniyi. Adesida I's legacy has been documented extensively by Dr. Olawunmi Akintide, his grandson and a one-time secretary of the Omoremilekun Asodeboyede ruling house, who wrote his biography The Lion King and the Cubs.
