Baba Kekere served Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II (Oba Adeyemi III’s father) between 1945 and 1956; his successor Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II between 1956 and 1968, and Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III between 1970 and 2022.
In the last 77 years, Morenikeji Lasisi, alias Baba Kekere, has been around the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, running errands for three kings, according to multiple social media posts.
Some put his age at over 100, others say nearly 100. But what the majority of those speculating about his age appear to agree on is that he has worked for three kings, starting with Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II who ascended the throne of the Oyo kingdom in 1945. If Baba Kekere came into the Oyo palace about that time, that makes his time there about 77 years.
Palace sources say Baba Kekere is the oldest palace staff alive at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo.
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According to a post by a Facebook user, Oyedokun Ayodele Oluwasemilore, Baba Kekere’s duty is to run errands for Alaafin.
A viral video of Baba Kekere himself confirming that he is more than 100 years old has emerged. The video quotes him saying he has witnessed the reign of three different monarchs of the Oyo Kingdom.
Baba Kekere served Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II (Oba Adeyemi III’s father) between 1945 and 1956; his successor Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II between 1956 and 1968, and Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III between 1970 and 2022.
About the Alaafin of Oyo title
Alaafin, or The Owner of the Palace in the Yoruba language, is the title of the emperor of the medieval Oyo empire and present-day Oyo town of West Africa. He ruled the old Oyo Empire which extended from the present-day Benin republic to Nigeria originating from states in the South East and West to the North. The people under him are called Yoruba people and spoke the Yoruba Language.
The Alaafin of Oyo in Yoruba mythology and history is said to be one of Oduduwa seven grandsons who later became Kings, forming the bedrock of the Yoruba Civilization.
The title was retained after the fall of the Oyo Empire as the official title of the ceremonial ruler of the contemporary natives of Oyo, Nigeria. The Alaafin is the political head of the Yoruba people and the only monarch with the pre-requisite power to appoint a chieftain representing the entire Yorubaland. Examples of such appointments include Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and Iyalode of Yorubaland.
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