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{{Short description|Nigerian Christian mystical fraternal organization}}
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The '''Reformed Ogboni Fraternity''', also known as the '''R.O.F''', is an international [[fraternal organization]]. It is commonly described by initiates as a [[syncretic]] blend of the [[Ogboni|Ogboni system]] of [[Yorubaland]] and the [[Freemasonry]] that is found in the Western World.
{{Infobox Fraternity
==Early history==
| letters = ROF
The Reformed Ogboni Fraternity was founded on the 18th of December, 1914. It was started as an alternative of the older Ogboni fraternity for practitioners of [[Christianity]], and its founder was the Anglican cleric T.A.J. Ogunbiyi.
| name = Reformed Ogboni Fraternity
| motto = ''Behold, How Good and Pleasant it is for Brethren to Dwell together in Unity.''
| crest = Ogboni_crest.png
| founded = {{start date and age|1914|12|18}}
| affiliation = Independent
| status = Active
| type = Confraternity
| scope = International
| address = 38, Abeokuta Street, Adekunle,
| city = [[Lagos]]
| state =
| country = Nigeria
| chapters = 952
| colors =
| nickname = R.O.F.
| free =
| homepage =
| birthplace = [[Lagos, Nigeria]]
| emphasis = Christianity
}}
⚫
The '''Reformed Ogboni Fraternity''', also known as the '''R.O.F''', is an international [[fraternal organization]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ibenegbu|first=George|date=2018-04-16|title=Ogboni Fraternity: top facts you should know|url=https://www.legit.ng/1163157-ogboni-fraternity-cult-rituals-symbols-hand-sign-human-sacrifice.html|access-date=2020-10-27|website=www.legit.ng|language=en}}</ref> It is commonly described by initiates as a [[syncretic]] blend of the [[Ogboni|Ogboni system]] of [[Yorubaland]] and various external elements.


==History==
⚫
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 (degree)|master]], in the same year.<ref> Akintola, Akinbowale (1992), ''The Reformed Ogboni Fraternity (R.O.F.): The Origins and Interpretation of Its Doctrines and Symbolism'', pp. 9 and 10</ref>
The Reformed Ogboni Fraternity was founded on 18 December 1914. It was started as an alternative of the [[Ogboni fraternity|Ogboni Fraternity]] for practitioners of [[Christianity]], and its founder was the Anglican cleric T.A.J. Ogunbiyi.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=13 April 2012 |title=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 |url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/50aa3c6c2.html |access-date=2020-10-27 |website=Refworld |publisher=Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |language=en |via=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees}}</ref>


⚫
Founding members that joined him in starting the fraternity included Prince [[Orisadipe Obasa]], his wife Princess [[Charlotte Obasa|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 [[Worshipful Master|master]], in the same year.{{sfn|Akintola|1992|pp=9 and 10}}
==Later history==
By the 1930s, the R.O.F. had become a powerful entity. When the merchant prince Akomolafe Dada Eso joined in 1936, it was said that he


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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thenationonlineng.net/african-spirituality-and-christian-theology/|website=TheNationOnlineNg.net|title=African Spirituality and Christian Theology|accessdate=October 28, 2020}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> 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]].<ref>Bengt
{{Cquote|signified his point of arrival on the social scene at Ilesa in about 1936 when he joined the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity (R.O.F.). This attempt by an Anglican pastor to reform the traditional Ogboni institution and make it acceptable to Christians and the educated elite quickly spread in many large urban areas and became one way in which the emergent elite tried to show themselves as modernizers. The R.O.F. was a kind of intercultural organization, based on a traditional secret society, "purged" of its pagan practices and echoing European freemasonry.<ref> J.F. Ade.Ajayi and Yemi Akinseye-George (2002), ''Kayode Eso: The Making of a Judge'', pp. 19 and 20 </ref>}}
Sundkler and Christopher Steed (2000), ''A History Of The Church In Africa'', Cambridge University Press, pp. 734 and 735.</ref><ref>Kwame Anthony Appiah and Henry Louis Gates Jr. (2005), ''Encyclopedia of Africa: Volume I'', Oxford University Press, p. 60.</ref>


==Membership==
Although the fraternity was founded by and for Christians, it has since grown in scope, and its current membership is composed of members of different faiths.
Membership is open to males between the ages of 21 or older and females who are 40 or older who agree to embrace a "non-idolatrous faith in God".<ref name=":0" />

==Chapters==
As of May 2010, the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity had had 940 ''lledi'' or conclaves in Nigeria, one in Cameroon, five in London, five in Italy, and one in Belgium.<ref name=":0" />


==Notable members==
==Notable members==
Notable members of the fraternity have included:
Notable members of the fraternity have included:<ref> {{cite web|URL=https://m.guardian.ng/news/nothing-secret-sinister-about-us-ogboni-fraternity/|website=Guardian.ng.|title=Nothing Secret, Sinister about us - Ogboni fraternity|accessdate=October 27, 2020}} </ref>{{sfn|Akintola|1992}}{{sfn|Anyebe|1999}}
* Sir [[Adeyemo Alakija]] (who served as ''Olori Oluwo'', or [[Grandmaster|grandmaster]], of the fraternity)
* [[Adetokunbo Ademola]], ''Olori Oluwo'' of the fraternity, Chief Justice of Nigeria<ref name=":1" />
⚫
* [[Ladapo Ademola]], the [[Alake of Egbaland]] {{sfn|Akintola|1992|p=95}}
* Chief [[Ladoke Akintola]]
* [[Adeyemo Alakija]], ''Olori Oluwo'' (or [[Grand Master (order)|grandmaster]]) of the fraternity, a member of the Nigerian Legislative Council, president of [[Egbe Omo Oduduwa]]<ref name=":1" />
* Sir [[Adetokunbo Ademola]] (who also served as ''Olori Oluwo'')
* [[Ladoke Akintola]], Premier of [[Western Region, Nigeria|Western Nigeria]]<ref name=":1" />
* King [[Olubuse II]], the [[Ooni of Ife]]
* [[Nnamdi Azikiwe]], president of Nigeria<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=https://dailypost.ng/2014/12/14/ogboni-leader-says-members-attend-churches-mosques-lists-founding-members/|website=Dailypost.ng|title=Ogboni leader says members attend churches, mosques; lists founding members|accessdate=October 28, 2020}}</ref>
⚫
* Sir [[Ladapo Ademola]], the [[Alake of Egbaland]]
* [[Ahmadu Bello]], [[Premier of Northern Nigeria]]<ref name=":2" />
* King [[George VI]] of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Dominions
* [[George VI]], King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions {{sfn|Akintola|1992|p=13}}
* [[Francis Meshioye]], [[esotericist]] and ''Olori Oluwo''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chief Francis Meshioye Archives |url=https://m.guardian.ng/tag/chief-francis-meshioye/ |access-date=2021-08-03 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-14 |title=Ogboni Fraternity formed to promote Christian values —Leader |url=https://punchng.com/ogboni-fraternity-created-to-promote-christian-values-leader/ |access-date=2021-08-03 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-23 |title=ROF leader donates to elderly, orphanage |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/02/rof-leader-donates-to-elderly-orphanage/ |access-date=2021-08-04 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Olubuse II]], the fiftieth [[Nigerian traditional rulers|traditional ruler]] or [[List of rulers of Ife|''Ooni'' of Ife]] {{sfn|Akintola|1992|p=96}}
*[[Olusegun Obasanjo]], president of Nigeria<ref>{{Cite web|last=Refugees|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|title=Refworld {{!}} Nigeria: Azigidi and Ogboni cults including rituals and ceremonies; consequences for refusing to join; relations with the government (1999)|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad6e74.html|access-date=2021-08-03|website=Refworld|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC News {{!}} Africa {{!}} Obasanjo poll victory challenge ends|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/313163.stm|access-date=2021-08-03|website=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>


==Controversies==
The organization has been alleged to be a secret cult<ref>{{Cite book|last=Moore|first=Henrietta L.|title=Magical Interpretations, Material Realities: Modernity, Witchcraft and the Occult in Postcolonial Africa|publisher=Routledge|year=2003|isbn=9780203398258|location=USA|pages=80|language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Arewa|first1=Ojo|last2=Stroup|first2=Kerry|date=1977|title=The Ogboni Cult Group (Nigeria): Analysis and Interpretation of the Communicative Events Which Constitute the Behavior of Its Members|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40459084|journal=Anthropos|volume=72|issue=1/2|pages=274–287|jstor=40459084 |issn=0257-9774}}</ref> partaking in human sacrifices, although no cogent evidence has ever substantiated this.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ibenegbu|first=George|date=2018-04-16|title=Ogboni Fraternity: top facts you should know|url=https://www.legit.ng/1163157-ogboni-fraternity-cult-rituals-symbols-hand-sign-human-sacrifice.html|access-date=2022-01-06|website=Legit.ng - Nigeria news.|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Johnson|first=Dayo|date=June 20, 2016|title=Anxiety in Akure as President of Ogboni Fraternity in Nigeria dies|url=https://www.google.com/www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/anxiety-akure-president-reformed-ogboni-fraternity-nigeria-dies-buried/amp/|access-date=June 20, 2016|website=Vanguardngr}}</ref> In an exposé on occultism titled ''Occult Grandmaster Now in Christ'', a Nigerian bestseller written in 1993 by Iyke Nathan Uzorma, the organization was alleged to be engaging in "Rajo witchcraft" which had little to no credence as the author didn’t explain, nor elaborate on what ''Rajo witchcraft'' meant .<ref name="Google Search">{{cite web | title=inauthor:"PROF. IYKE NATHAN UZORMA" | website=Google Search | url=https://www.google.com/search?hl=en-ng&tbm=bks&tbm=bks&q=inauthor:%22PROF.+IYKE+NATHAN+UZORMA%22 | access-date=2022-01-06}}</ref> On December 19, 2019, [[Francis Meshioye]] the Olori Oluwo (which in [[English language|English]] means the ''supreme leader'' of the organization) negated any alleged claim of wrongdoing on the part of the organization and expressly stated that there was nothing sinister about it.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2019-12-14|title=Nothing secret, sinister about us — Ogboni Fraternity|url=https://guardian.ng/news/nothing-secret-sinister-about-us-ogboni-fraternity/|access-date=2022-01-07|website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News|language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of confraternities in Nigeria]]
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last=Akintola |first= Akinbowale |year=1992 |title=The Reformed Ogboni Fraternity (R.O.F.): The Origins And Interpretation Of Its Doctrines And Symbolism website:- www.reformedogboni.com}}

== External links ==

* [https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/12/nothing-secret-sinister-about-us-ogboni-fraternity/ "Nothing secret, sinister about us—Ogboni Fraternity" (''Vanguard'')]

[[Category:Society of Nigeria]]
[[Category:Culture of Nigeria]]
[[Category:Black elite]]
[[Category:Fraternal orders]]
[[Category:1914 establishments in Nigeria]]

Latest revision as of 11:34, 1 December 2024

Reformed Ogboni Fraternity
ROF
FoundedDecember 18, 1914; 110 years ago (1914-12-18)
Lagos, Nigeria
TypeConfraternity
AffiliationIndependent
StatusActive
EmphasisChristianity
ScopeInternational
MottoBehold, How Good and Pleasant it is for Brethren to Dwell together in Unity.
Chapters952
NicknameR.O.F.
Headquarters38, Abeokuta Street, Adekunle,
Lagos
Nigeria

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.

History

[edit]

The Reformed Ogboni Fraternity was founded on 18 December 1914. It was started as an alternative of the Ogboni Fraternity 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]

Membership

[edit]

Membership is open to males between the ages of 21 or older and females who are 40 or older who agree to embrace a "non-idolatrous faith in God".[2]

Chapters

[edit]

As of May 2010, the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity had had 940 lledi or conclaves in Nigeria, one in Cameroon, five in London, five in Italy, and one in Belgium.[2]

Notable members

[edit]

Notable members of the fraternity have included:

Controversies

[edit]

The organization has been alleged to be a secret cult[17][18] partaking in human sacrifices, although no cogent evidence has ever substantiated this.[19][20] In an exposé on occultism titled Occult Grandmaster Now in Christ, a Nigerian bestseller written in 1993 by Iyke Nathan Uzorma, the organization was alleged to be engaging in "Rajo witchcraft" which had little to no credence as the author didn’t explain, nor elaborate on what Rajo witchcraft meant .[21] On December 19, 2019, Francis Meshioye the Olori Oluwo (which in English means the supreme leader of the organization) negated any alleged claim of wrongdoing on the part of the organization and expressly stated that there was nothing sinister about it.[5]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ibenegbu, George (2018-04-16). "Ogboni Fraternity: top facts you should know". www.legit.ng. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  2. ^ a b c "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. Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. 13 April 2012. Retrieved 2020-10-27 – via United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
  3. ^ Akintola 1992, pp. 9 and 10.
  4. ^ "African Spirituality and Christian Theology". TheNationOnlineNg.net. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Nothing secret, sinister about us — Ogboni Fraternity". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2019-12-14. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
  6. ^ Bengt Sundkler and Christopher Steed (2000), A History Of The Church In Africa, Cambridge University Press, pp. 734 and 735.
  7. ^ Kwame Anthony Appiah and Henry Louis Gates Jr. (2005), Encyclopedia of Africa: Volume I, Oxford University Press, p. 60.
  8. ^ Akintola 1992, p. 95.
  9. ^ a b "Ogboni leader says members attend churches, mosques; lists founding members". Dailypost.ng. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  10. ^ Akintola 1992, p. 13.
  11. ^ "Chief Francis Meshioye Archives". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2021-08-03.
  12. ^ "Ogboni Fraternity formed to promote Christian values —Leader". Punch Newspapers. 2019-12-14. Retrieved 2021-08-03.
  13. ^ "ROF leader donates to elderly, orphanage". Vanguard News. 2021-02-23. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
  14. ^ Akintola 1992, p. 96.
  15. ^ Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for. "Refworld | Nigeria: Azigidi and Ogboni cults including rituals and ceremonies; consequences for refusing to join; relations with the government (1999)". Refworld. Retrieved 2021-08-03.
  16. ^ "BBC News | Africa | Obasanjo poll victory challenge ends". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-08-03.
  17. ^ Moore, Henrietta L. (2003). Magical Interpretations, Material Realities: Modernity, Witchcraft and the Occult in Postcolonial Africa. USA: Routledge. p. 80. ISBN 9780203398258.
  18. ^ Arewa, Ojo; Stroup, Kerry (1977). "The Ogboni Cult Group (Nigeria): Analysis and Interpretation of the Communicative Events Which Constitute the Behavior of Its Members". Anthropos. 72 (1/2): 274–287. ISSN 0257-9774. JSTOR 40459084.
  19. ^ Ibenegbu, George (2018-04-16). "Ogboni Fraternity: top facts you should know". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  20. ^ Johnson, Dayo (June 20, 2016). "Anxiety in Akure as President of Ogboni Fraternity in Nigeria dies". Vanguardngr. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  21. ^ "inauthor:"PROF. IYKE NATHAN UZORMA"". Google Search. Retrieved 2022-01-06.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Akintola, Akinbowale (1992). The Reformed Ogboni Fraternity (R.O.F.): The Origins And Interpretation Of Its Doctrines And Symbolism website:- www.reformedogboni.com.
[edit]
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