Adesoji Aderemi

Adesoji Tadeniawo Aderemi
Governor of Western Region
In office 1960–1962
Preceded by	Sir John Rankine
Succeeded by	Dr Moses Majekodunmi (As Administrator of Western Nigeria)
Ooni of Ife
In office 1930 – 7 July 1980
Preceded by	Ademiluyi Ajagun
Succeeded by	Okunade Sijuwade
Personal details
Born	15 November 1889 Ile-Ife
Died	3 July 1980 (aged 90)

Sir Titus Martins Adesoji Tadeniawo Aderemi I, alias Adesoji Aderemi, KCMG (15 November 1889 – 7 July 1980), was a Nigerian political figure and Yoruba traditional ruler as the Ooni (King) of Ife (or Ilé-Ifẹ̀, as it is properly known) from 1930 until 1980. He served as the governor of Western Region, Nigeria between 1960 and 1967.

Adesoji Aderemi was known as a very wealthy man and had a large family of many wives and children. one of his children was the civil servant Tejumade Alakija.^[1]

During the colonial era, the Oba Ooni gained a considerable amount of power due to the colonial policy of indirect rule and being labeled a first class Oba among traditional rulers in Yorubaland. The policy of indirect rule was used to ensure native awareness and consultations about colonial policies affecting the regions. The British leaned on existing native political structures and hierarchy, particularly the Nigerian traditional rulers, for political consultation and tax collection. Later on, the Ooni with the consent of the leading Yoruba political leaders used his position to close the gaps of exploitation of divisional differences among Yorubas and tried fervently to rally the Yoruba towards a common goal. In 1962, the king acting as governor, used his power to remove the premier of the region, sensing the premier did not have the support of the majority members of the House of Assembly. The event escalated the political rivalries in the region.

References

1. Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; Professor Emmanuel Akyeampong; Mr. Steven J. Niven (2 February 2012). Dictionary of African Biography. Oxford University Press. p. 155. ISBN 978-0-19-538207-5.

• A. I. Asiwaju, Political Motivation and Oral Historical Traditions in Africa: The Case of Yoruba Crowns, 1900-1960 Journal of the International African Institute > Vol. 46, No. 2 (1976).