The renowned Ijebu age grade association, Egbe Bobakeye Okunrin Akile Ijebu, has publicly dismissed misleading reports circulating on social media regarding the late Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Nigeria in 1956, specifically her stay in Ijebu land.
Speaking to journalists in Ijebu Ode on Saturday, Abiodun Onanuga, the Giwa of the age grade, clarified that the widely shared story claiming the Queen spent the night at the residence of the late Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu land and prominent industrialist, Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola, is entirely false.
Onanuga explained that historical records show the Queen was formally received at Itoro by the late Awujale, Oba Daniel Adesanya. She then proceeded to the Government Reserved Area (GRA) residence of the colonial head of the old Ijebu Province, which now houses the Egbe Bobakeye. It was at this location she had lunch before departing for Lagos.
To address the misinformation, the age grade commissioned two members, Kayode Adesanya and Lekan Odufunlade, to conduct thorough research at the British National Archives. After months of painstaking investigation, they uncovered detailed documents confirming the Queen’s itinerary, including her lunch venue in Ijebu-Ode.
Onanuga stated, “On behalf of Egbe Bobakeye, I can now state categorically and indisputably that our own Ule Egbe, which used to be the residence of the British resident in Ijebu-Ode, was the venue where the Queen had her lunch. This record unequivocally debunks any claim that her Majesty spent the night in Ijebu-Ode because she left for Lagos after visiting the Awujale at Itoro and having lunch at our present Ule Egbe.”
Researcher Odufunlade emphasized the importance of preserving Nigeria’s history and urged the federal government to enhance efforts in documenting and safeguarding such vital historical records for future generations.
