Reformed Ogboni Fraternity
The Reformed Ogboni Fraternity, also known as the R.O.F, is an international fraternal organization.[1] It is commonly described by initiates as a syncretic blend of the Ogboni system of Yorubaland and various external elements.
| Reformed Ogboni Fraternity | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1914 Lagos, Nigeria |
| Type | Fraternal organization |
| Scope | International |
| Motto | The Third Eye that sees. |
| Nickname | R.O.F. |
| Headquarters | 38, Abeokuta Street, Adekunle, Lagos, Nigeria. |
History
The Reformed Ogboni Fraternity was founded on the 18th of December, 1914. It was started as an alternative of the Aborigine Ogboni for practitioners of Christianity, and its founder was the Anglican cleric T.A.J. Ogunbiyi.[2]
Founding members that joined him in starting the fraternity included Prince Orisadipe Obasa, his wife Princess Charlotte Blaize Obasa of the R.B. Blaize family, and Prince M. Akinsemoyin of the Akinsemoyin royal family. Prince Obasa was recognized by the founders as the first Oluwo, or master, in the same year.[3]
Although the fraternity was started both by and for the Christian elite, it has since grown in scope, and today its membership includes aristocratic followers of different faiths.[4][5] External elements that influenced the fraternity's founders during its creation included everything from the early Christianity of Nigeria (as manifested in the local chapter of the Keswick Convention) to English Freemasonry.[6][7]
Notable members
Notable members of the fraternity have included:
- Sir Adeyemo Alakija (who served as Olori Oluwo, or grandmaster, of the fraternity).[8]
- Chief Ladoke Akintola.[9]
- Sir Adetokunbo Ademola (who also served as Olori Oluwo).[10]
- King Olubuse II, the Ooni of Ife.[11]
- Sir Ladapo Ademola, the Alake of Egbaland.[12]
- King George VI of the United Kingdom and the Dominions.[13]
- Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.[14]
- Sir Ahmadu Bello.[15]
References
- Ibenegbu, George (2018-04-16). "Ogboni Fraternity: top facts you should know". www.legit.ng. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
- Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for. "Refworld | Nigeria: The Reformed Ogboni Fraternity (ROF), including the nature of its belief system and its purpose; whether membership is compulsory, especially for children of members, and consequences for refusing to join the ROF; whether positions within the ROF are inherited". Refworld. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
- Akintola 1992, pp. 9 and 10.
- "African Spirituality and Christian Theology". TheNationOnlineNg.net. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- "Nothing Secret, Sinister about us - Ogboni fraternity". Guardian.ng. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- Bengt Sundkler and Christopher Steed (2000), A History Of The Church In Africa, Cambridge University press, pp. 734 and 735.
- Kwame Anthony Appiah and Henry Louis Gates Jr. (2005), Encyclopedia of Africa: Volume I, Oxford University press, p. 60.
- "Nothing Secret, Sinister about us - Ogboni fraternity". Guardian.ng. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- "Nothing Secret, Sinister about us - Ogboni fraternity". Guardian.ng. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- "Nothing Secret, Sinister about us - Ogboni fraternity". Guardian.ng. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- Akintola 1992, p. 96.
- Akintola 1992, p. 95.
- Akintola 1992, p. 13.
- "Ogboni leader says members attend churches, mosques; lists founding members". Dailypost.ng. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- "Ogboni leader says members attend churches, mosques; lists founding members". Dailypost.ng. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
Further reading
- Akintola, Akinbowale (1992). The Reformed Ogboni Fraternity (R.O.F.): The Origins And Interpretation Of Its Doctrines And Symbolism.