In a bold assertion, Chief Bobagunwa Victor Ojo Alalabiaye has called upon the Ooni of Ife and other Yoruba monarchs to identify the burial site of the revered Yoruba heroine, Queen Moremi. The Chief maintains that her remains were interred in Idanre, a historic community in Ondo State, rather than in Ugbo or Ife, as is commonly believed.
In a video shared online, Chief Alalabiaye introduced Queen Moremi, also known as Orosun, as a remarkable woman endowed with supernatural abilities and a keen entrepreneurial spirit. He described her as a skilled producer of herbal concoctions and credited her with transforming Idanre by introducing cowrie currency to replace the barter system.
“I am Chief Victor Ojo Alalabiaye, the Bobagunwa of Idanre and from Osolo Dynasty (Osolo Ruling House) in Idanre. Let me say this that Orosun was a woman so supernaturally endowed. Prior to her arrival, Idanre people died of many diseases, but when she came with her spiritual powers, she cured most of the diseases and people who were barren gave birth with the aid of her concussion,” he stated.
He further elaborated on her impact: “Before her arrival, Idanre was trading by barter. Her visit introduced cowries which she used in buying and selling, thereby improving commerce. She came twice to Idanre: she at first came to visit her husband Olofin; later on, she left Ife after the war between Ife and Ugbo people. She was truly caught as a war captive to Ugbo, but she never died there. She didn’t die in Ife or Ugbo. It was later she migrated, going around many places. She is the founder of most of the Akoko towns like Ugbe where they celebrate Orosun. Why Idanre’s case is different is that she died and was buried in Idanre hill. That is the highest hill so far in western upland called Orosun hill and that is where we go for the worship once in a year.”
In a direct challenge to the Ooni and other Yoruba leaders, he declared, “I want Ooni or any Oba in Yoruba land, including those who have affiliation with Yoruba history to tell me anywhere in Yoruba land where Moremi was buried. When she came with Lobu to Idanre, that was when her name changed from Moremi to Orosun.”
