IMESI-ILE — Mogaji Gbolagade Moshood Akere has joined traditional leaders, descendants and other dignitaries at Imesi-Ile to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the Kiriji Peace Treaty, a historic milestone marking the 1886 peace agreement that brought an end to the major phase of the conflict between Ibadan and the Ekitiparapo alliance.
The commemoration provided an opportunity to remember the men and women who played roles in the conflict, particularly the fallen heroes whose sacrifices have become part of Yoruba history.
For Akere, the occasion carried a deeply personal significance. He spoke proudly of his ancestral connection to the Kiriji era, noting that Akintaro Akere, a son of Beyioku Akere, was among the warriors associated with the Ibadan side during the campaigns around Imesi-Ile, Igbajo, Ijesa and Ekiti.
The Kiriji conflict, also known as the Ekitiparapo War, lasted for years and involved major Yoruba military and political formations. The peace settlement was proclaimed at the Igbajo–Imesi battlefield on 23 September 1886.
But Akere’s message at the remembrance was not about reviving the divisions of the past.
It was about preserving the history while preserving the peace.
He called on the Ekitiparapo and the people of Yorubaland to continue embracing peace and unity, stressing that the relationship between Ibadan and Ekiti today should be one of friendship, cooperation and mutual respect.
Akere also paid tribute to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, commending the traditional institution for continuing to stand as a symbol of peace and unity.
According to him, it is a source of pride that his ancestors participated in such a significant chapter of Yoruba history, but even greater pride comes from remembering that those who once fought eventually chose peace.
The 140th anniversary therefore served as more than a remembrance of war. It became a reminder that history should be preserved, heroes should be honoured, but peace must be protected for future generations.
As the Kiriji Heritage Conservation Foundation notes, the 1886 treaty remains an important symbol of reconciliation and Yoruba unity.
From the battlefield of yesterday to the peace of today, Akere’s message was clear: remember the heroes, preserve the history, but let peace continue to reign across Yorubaland.
