By Prince Dan Olaitan Dada
To my people of Oro-Ago, and to the stool of my fathers, If you are reading this with a heavy heart because of the news, the gunshots, the rumours breathe. Oro-Ago has seen night before. And every night ended with morning.
1. THE YEAR THE GOSPEL ARRIVED: 1912 — PLAYFAIR AND THE ORO-AGO THRONE:
Oro-Ago was here long before 1912. Our forefathers carved it from forest with cutlass and courage. Our past Oloros defended it with wisdom when there were no police stations. Our hunters watched the hills when there were no vigilantes. Our mothers fed us when there were no markets.
Then in 1912, God sent Missionary Playfair of the Sudan Interior Mission to introduce the gospel to the kingdom our fathers had already established. He did not meet an empty land. He met a throne soaked in prayer, a people rich in culture, and a courage that predates colonial maps.
The Oloro of Oro-Ago who reigned in 1912 received him. Kabiyesi, you did not say “we have our gods.” You said, “If this God brings light, let Him in.” You gave Playfair land, and with that land you gave us Playfair Memorial College. You gave us tomorrow. Oro-Ago will never forget you.
You were succeeded by the Oloro who reigned after you, who stood between early converts and those who misunderstood them. Then came the Oloro who reigned next, who watched the first Oro-Ago child write his name because of that school.
Three kings. One kingdom. One new seed: the gospel of Christ, planted in the soil our forefathers tilled with blood and sweat. We, your royal children, kneel to your stools.
2. THE KING WHO LEADS US NOW:
Today that same staff — that same burden, that same glory — is held by His Royal Majesty, Kabiyesi, Oba Johnson Olarewaju Dada, Oloro of Oro-Ago Kingdom.
Kabiyesi, your fathers faced slave raiders without sirens. You face insecurity with prayer and wisdom. May your reign bring roads where there are footpaths, schools where there are huts, and peace where there is fear. May your Oloro-in-Council — the High Chiefs, Baales, and Kingmakers — be of one heart. A divided palace cannot defend a united people.
As you sit where your fathers sat in 1912, remember: they had less weapons, but more faith.nGod gave them victory. He will give you more.
3. OUR MOTHER WHO JUST DEPARTED:
We weep, yet we thank God, for our mother, Chief Mrs. Comfort Babarinde, the late Iye Oro of Oro-Ago Kingdom, who joined the ancestors on 10th April, 2026.
Iya, you left us when the land is shaking. But that is the way of mothers — they teach us to walk, then watch from heaven. You were the neck that steadied the crown. You settled quarrels with proverbs. You fed strangers before asking their name.
Sun re o, Iye Oro.
May your noble soul continue to rest in perfect peace.
To the Iyalode, Iyalaje, and all Oro-Ago women — the wrapper has fallen from her shoulders to yours. Do not let it touch the ground. Rise. Trade. Pray. Protect. The daughters of Oro-Ago must now become mothers of its courage.
4. THE MISSIONARY WHO INTRODUCED THE GOSPEL, PLAYFAIR:
Every child at Playfair Memorial College asks: Who was Playfair?”
He was the SIM pioneer who, in 1912, introduced missionary work to our ancient kingdom. He did not discover Oro-Ago — our kings had ruled it for centuries. He discovered us for Christ. He left comfort in England and chose fever in Oro-Ago. He trekked from Lagos so we would not trek in darkness. He buried colleagues so we could bury ignorance.
His church keeps his full record, but Oro-Ago keeps his legacy: *_every pastor, teacher, nurse, and professor this land has produced.
Kabiyesi, Chiefs, Youths, Women — Playfair did not die for denomination. He died for the souls in Oro-Ago. If a stranger could love us unto death, why should we hate ourselves unto destruction? Let us live with unity.
5. WHY WE WILL NOT PANIC — THE SMEF MANDATE IN ORO-AGO: This is where I speak not just as prince, but as President of the Sanity Multi-Efforts Forum (SMEF)
SMEF was founded with one mandate: To tackle the menace of illegalities across all sectors in Nigeria and restore sanity to public conduct._ Illegalities include roadblocks, extortion, kidnapping, banditry, and every act that makes mothers sleep with one eye open.
So hear SMEF’s word to Oro-Ago:
1. We have survived worse. In 1912 there were leopards, smallpox, and no dispensary. Yet our fathers did not run. They built. If they did not panic then, we will not panic now.
2. We are not alone. The God who sent Playfair across an ocean to find us in 1912 has not lost our address in 2026. The eyes that watched Israel neither slumber nor sleep.
3. We have a throne. From the Oloro of 1912 to Kabiyesi Oba Johnson Olarewaju Dada today, God has never left this land without a shepherd. A kingdom with a king is not an orphan.
4. We have a people. The same blood that defended this land with bows now defends it with vigilance, prayer, and unity. An attack on one Oro-Ago compound is an attack on all — and all will answer.
Insecurity is real. But our history is stronger. The man who walked here from Lagos in 1912 did not walk in vain.
The kings who received him did not reign in vain.
The Iye Oro who just left us did not mother us in vain.
We will not panic.
We will plan.
We will pray.
We will protect.
6. SMEF’S PRAYER AND CHARGE FOR ORO-AGO:
May Oro-Ago never lack light.
May our palace never lack wisdom.
May our women never lack honor.
May our youths never lack purpose.
May our land never lack peace.
God established Oro-Ago through our forefathers.
God introduced the gospel to Oro-Ago through Playfair in 1912.
God preserves Oro-Ago through our kings from 1912 till now. God will defend Oro-Ago through us in 2026.
To the enemies of our peace: Oro-Ago has buried stronger threats than you. Touch this land again, and you touch the graves of kings and missionaries. You will not survive it.
To my people: Lock your doors, but unlock your unity. Watch your streets, but watch your brothers more. The day Oro-Ago divides is the day Oro-Ago falls. And we will not fall._
Accept my royal regards and assurance, always.
Prince Dan Olaitan Dada, a Prince of the Royal Home, Oro-Ago Kingdom and President, Sanity Multi-Efforts Forum (SMEF)
