Category: History

The Tale of Alhaji Mai Deribe: Nigeria’s Golden Opulence and Fleeting Grandeur
A Life of Oil-Fueled Prosperity
In the vibrant economic landscape of 1980s Nigeria, Alhaji Mai Deribe stood tall as one of the country’s wealthiest individuals, his fortune deeply rooted in the lucrative oil and gas sector. Hailing from Borno State in northeastern Nigeria, Mai Deribe’s ascent to riches reflected the ebbs and flows of Nigeria’s petro-economy during that era.

The Golden Abode: A Monument of Extravagance
Before his passing, Alhaji Mai Deribe embarked on constructing a dwelling that bespoke unbridled opulence – a house lavishly adorned with gold, said to have taken a decade to complete at a staggering cost of $100 million. This architectural marvel boasted cutting-edge security features like a bulletproof front door. Reports suggest the upkeep of this grandiose mansion came with a breathtaking price tag of $5 million per month for cleaning alone.

A Private Jet and Symbols of Grandeur
Mai Deribe’s affluence wasn’t limited to his extraordinary residence; he owned a private jet, emblematic of the elite status he commanded during his heyday. The amalgamation of his business successes painted a picture of a man living life on the pinnacle of luxury.

A Short-lived Tenure and an Empty Legacy
Despite the enormity of resources poured into crafting this testament of wealth, Alhaji Mai Deribe inhabited the spectacular house for merely 12 years before he passed away in 2002. Today, the once-majestic abode stands as an empty, rusting monument in Borno – a poignant symbol of transience.

The Challenge of Succession
None of Mai Deribe’s children appear poised to take up residency in the grandiose mansion; the exorbitant maintenance costs render it unsustainable for his heirs. This aspect of his story evokes reflection on wealth stewardship and the essence of crafting enduring legacies.

Reflections on Wealth and Legacy
Alhaji Mai Deribe’s life prompts contemplation on balancing indulgence with foresight. The ephemeral nature of his grand estate, now a hollow giant, imparts a lesson on enjoying prosperity wisely and nurturing a heritage that progeny can cherish and sustain. It beckons Nigerians and global readers alike to muse over what constitutes meaningful wealth beyond material extravagance – perhaps in impacts created, values imparted, and memories cultivated.

49 years ago, these Nigerian ‘leaders of tomorrow’ were photographed on their way to school in Lagos with some smiling and others carrying their bags on their heads.

The caption of the photo by Keystone adds that many children went to school for the first time at the beginning of the 1976/77 school year after free primary education was introduced in the autumn of 1976.Credit:

I think, it is high time academics start publicly correcting some misconceptions about Ibadan and Oyo.
Ibadan is Oyo, Oyo is Ibadan. Ibadan was an Oyo speaking Yoruba republican city state.

Firstly, there was a war called Gbanamu war where Kurunmi came with his army to assist the Oyo bloc then to defeat the Ife warlord and prince, Maye when there was a disagreement about who will control Ibadan. It was after that war that the republican system was set up in Ibadan.

Baale Oluyedun the Baale that took over from Maye was a direct son of Afonja from Ilorin. Infact many aristocrats like Oluyedun, Oderinlo etc were from Ilorin and they were military commanders under Afonja.

So, the third Olubadan of Ibadan was the son of Afonja from Ilorin.
Furthermore, Basorun Oluyole and Basorun Ogunmola were Basorun(s) (Prime minister) under the Alaafin. It was Alaafin that appointed them as Prime ministers. Infact Aare Mohammed Sanusi Latoosisa was appointed by Alaafin.

Kurunmi, Ogunmola, Alli Iwo, Oderinlo, Elepo and other top Baloguns of Ibadan were all Oyo. The setting up of that Republican system in Ibadan made more Oyo refugees from the Kwara/Niger state axis to pour into Ibadan for safety because the military generals and Commanders of the Oyo empire had reorganized themselves there.

Ibadan did not save Oyo, Ibadan saved itself from destruction because they are Oyos or “Oyonized” people.
In Ibadan we have Ebiras, Nupes, Hausas, Baribas and other Yoruba groups like Ijebu, Ijesha, Egba, Ekiti etc who became Oyonized after settling there.

The same phenomenon was seen in Ikere Ekiti where the Oyo migrants became “Ekitinized”. The same issue happened in Egba, where Owu and Ijaiye (Oyo) people became “Egbanized”.

The ethnic components of Oyo, Ibadan, Ilorin, Ogbomoso, Shao, Jebba, Abeokuta, Ede, Osogbo, Iseyin, Saki, Yewa, Port Novo (Ajashe), Gbongan, Ikirun, Ganmo, Offa etc are the same but the percentages might be different.

Oranmiyan created Oyo as a people and dialect through war and force. That is why the god of war of Ibadan was also “Oranmiyan” or “Oranyan”. It was brute force or nothing! Bow or die!

That’s the Oyo militaristic way of life. All the successor states who seceded from Oyo empire like Ibadan, Egba, Ijaiye, Ilorin, Dahomey, Ogbomoso, Modakeke, Shao, Ganmo, Offa, Ajashe (Port Novo) etc are all militant and aggressive when it comes to Geopolitics.
Those bloc were built on war and the spirit of oranmiyan due to interaction with the Oyo empire.
Oyo was a creation of war and social engineering. It is not organic, it is a product of WAR!
Ibadan are Oyo speaking people.

Ire oooooo

Credit -: Aare Kurunmi Kakanfo