Olowu of Owu Kingdom
The Olowu of Owu is the paramount Yoruba king of Owu kingdom. The first Olowu of Owu (son of Oduduwa's daughter) is also one of the original kings in Yoruba kingdom.
The Owu Kingdom is ruled by princes selected from six ruling houses: Amororo, Otileta, Ayoloye, Akinjobi, Akinoso and Lagbedu. The king is assisted by appointed chiefs known as "Ogboni"s and Ologuns. The Balogun heads the chiefs and has under him Otun, Osi, Seriki, Aare Ago and Jagunna. Ogboni chiefs consists of the Akogun, Obamaja, Orunto, Oyega, Osupori and Omolasin. Olosi is the Ifa priest of the Olowu. Originally, the Owu Kingdom has 3 townships namely Owu, Erunmu and Apomu. By tradition, the Olowu is selected by six kingmakers but two more chieftaincies were added in 1964 including Balogun and Olosi.
Ogboni tradition was not originally part of the people of Owu's culture. The alien tradition was borrowed from the Egbas after the Owus settled in Abeokuta. Hence, the reason the Owus do not have "Iledi" (Ile Ogboni), the traditional house of the Ogbonis.
In 2006, under the kingship of Oba of Owu, Kabiyesi (Dr) Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu (Amororo II), the Owu palace administrative process was reorganized. The Ogboni and Ologun system of chiefs were revamped, and a new Olowu-in-Council emerged. It consists of a Cabinet of seven chiefs, including:
- The Balogun: Prime Minister of the Kingdom.
- The Olori Igbimo: Senior Counsel to Olowu (king), and overseer of towns and villages where traditional interest of Olowu exists.
- The Olori Omoba: Head Prince.
- The Olori Parakoyi: Head of Commerce and Industry.
- The Balogun Apomu:
- The Oluroko (Oba Erunmu), or (where there is no incumbent) a clan chief or elder (Ogboni) from any of the 17 other clans/family compounds in Owu Erunmu:
- The Iyalode:
Past and Present Olowu of Owu Kingdom (Owu Kings)
- Oba Pawu 1855-1867 (OTILETA Family)
- Oba Adefowote 1867-1872 (OTILETA Family)
- Oba Aderinmoye 1873-1890 (OTILETA Family)
- Oba Adepegba 1893-1905 (AYOLOYE Family)
- Oba Owokokade 1906-1918 (OTILETA Family)
- Oba Dosunmu 1918-1924 (AMORORO Family)
- Oba Adesina 1924-1936 (OTILETA Family)
- Oba Adelani Gbogboade 1938-1946 (OTILETA Family)
- Oba Salami Gbadela Ajibola 1949-1972 (AYOLOYE Family)
- Oba Adebowale Oyegbade 1975-1980 (AKINJOBI Family)
- OBA Michael Oyelekan April 29th, 1987 -May 8th, 1987 (AKINOSO Family)
- Oba Olawale Adisa Odeleye 1993-2003 (LAGBEDU Family)
- Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu Amororo II From 2005 (AMORORO Family)