The palace of the Arujale-Ojime of Okeluse Kingdom in Ondo State has issued a firm warning to the general public against addressing the traditional ruler, Oba Oloyede Adekoya Akinghare II, with demeaning or inappropriate expressions.
Oba Akinghare ascended the throne in 2020 at the age of 16 following the death of his father, making him the youngest monarch in Yorubaland. He completed his secondary school education in 2022.
In a statement released on Thursday, January 22, 2026, and signed by the Chief of Staff to the monarch, Prince Adefemi Michael Olorunfemi, the palace emphasized that the king must be addressed strictly as His Royal Majesty at all times, irrespective of the speaker’s age, status, or position in society.
The statement warned that referring to the monarch with casual or disrespectful terms such as “bro,” “blood,” or similar expressions would no longer be tolerated, adding that such actions would attract strong and decisive measures.
Prince Olorunfemi stressed that the monarch’s young age does not justify any form of disrespect, noting that Oba Akinghare’s calm and accommodating nature should not be misconstrued as weakness.
“Alayeluwa Oba Oloyede Adekoya Akinghare II is to be addressed strictly as His Royal Majesty at all times. Any other form of address is unacceptable,” the statement read. “The fact that His Royal Majesty is the youngest king in Yorubaland does not give room for disrespect in any form.”
He further described the monarch as Igbakeji awon orisa—the representative of the gods on earth—adding that the throne is sacred and deserving of the highest level of reverence.
The palace called on residents of Okeluse Kingdom and the general public to uphold the dignity of the throne, stressing that respect for the monarch remains central to the preservation of Yoruba culture, tradition, and identity.
“Respect for the throne is non-negotiable,” the statement concluded, urging everyone within and outside the kingdom to conduct themselves accordingly.
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