Alake of Egbaland (title)


The Alake of Egbaland is the paramount Yoruba king of the Egba, a clan in Abeokuta, Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria. Egba consists of Egba Ake, Owu kingdom, Oke-Ona and Gbagura.

History

The first Alake of Egbaland was King John Oshiwoolu Coker who was the father of prince James Osodu coker and Grandfather of Prince Jacob Kehinde coker also known as J.K Coker. James Osodu Coker is the father of J.K Coker. John Oshiwoolu Coker married Mary Ake and gave birth to James Osodu Coker. John Oshiwoolu Coker was toppled by the British in 1845. The British then installed Somoye as the Second Alake of Egbaland in 1845. Sagbua Okukenu became the Third Alake of Egbaland ruled between August 8, 1854 to August 31, 1862. Prior to the appointment of the Sagbua Okukenu in 1846, Shomoye was installed as regent for one year, between 1845 and 1846, and following the demise of Oba Okukenu in 1862, Shomoye returned to the throne of the Alake of Egbaland as a regent, where he spent four years between 1862 and 1866. Following this, Oba Ademola I was appointed on November 28, 1869. He ruled for eight years until his demise on December 30, 1877.
On January 1, 1878, Oba Oyekan was appointed as the Alake of Egbaland. He spent three years on the throne before dying on December 18, 1881. Thereafter, Oluwaji was appointed on February 9, 1885, and ruled in this capacity for four years.
After a two-year vacancy, Oba Oshokalu was appointed Alake on September 18, 1891. He ruled in this capacity for seven years until his demise on the 11th of June, 1898.
On August 8, 1898 Oba Gbadebo I became the Alake of Egbaland. He spent twenty-two years on the throne until his death on the 28th of May, 1920. He died at the age of 66 years old.
Following the demise of Oba Gbadebo I in 1920, Oba Ladapo Ademola II became the new ruler. He ruled for 42 years, two of which were spent in exile between 1948 and December 1950.
After his death on December 27, 1962, the throne was vacant for one year and on August 12, 1963, Oba Adesina Samuel Gbadebo II was appointed as the new Alake of Egbaland. After the death of Adesina Samuel Gbadebo on 26 October 1971, Samuel Oyebade Lipede became the king. He ruled in this capacity for 33 years until his demise in February 2005, which led to the appointment of Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III
List of Alake of Egbaland, originally Ake
Alake John Oshiwoolu Coker
Alake Somoye -Regent
Alake Sagbuwa Okunkenu
Alake Somoye -Regent1862–1866
Alake Ademola I
Alake Oyekan
Alake Oluwaji
Alake Osokalu
Alake Gbadebo I
Alake Ladapo Ademola II
Alake Adesina Samuel Gbadebo II
Alake Samuel Oyebade Lipede I