Ondo Ancient Traditional Anthem

The above song have nothing to do with any other Institution in Ondo Kingdom. It was solemnly composed by the latter to show appreciation to God Almighty Father that allowed Him – Late Bishop S. Charles Phillips to record a remarkable and successful missionary work in Ondo during his sojourn as a Clergyman. It will not be appropriate to adopt the song as Ondo Traditional Anthem by any individual irrespective of where he or she may belong in the society.

The Anthem songs are usually composed for the founders of a Nation or to honour their fallen heroes as well as to appreciate Rulers of a Kingdom. Let us take a clue from the British Colonial Master – “BRITISH NATIONAL ANTHEM – God Save The Queen”. Late HRM Oba Airo proclaim Ondo as a Kingdom during his reign between 1530 -1560 AD and also set up a befitting Monarchy Administration for the Ondos with competitive tradition, culture and customs.

Late Oba Airo honour cannot be whisk away for whatsoever reasons either good or bad. The next generation coming after us are highly intelligent, well educated and sophisticated about gathering information as relate to genealogical history of any Community throughout the whole World. Let it be!

The song below have been in existence for more than three century years as mentored in history but not commonly sing among the mid nineteenth century generation. We can jointly revive it with interest and love but not subject to be ignored;

After a short brief on the throne, He travel to Ado Binin (now Benin City) to learn Monarch Administration from the Palace of Akenzuwa of Ado Binin for a longer period. Before Oba Airo could returned to Ondo, some of the High Chiefs and Lesser Chiefs has started rebellious action against him but luckily for Oba Airo, He arrived back on throne before they could succeed in removing him as an Oba.

Upon arrival on the throne, Oba Airo was briefed about the plan of certain High Chiefs and Lesser Chiefs to remove Him as Osemawe of Ondo, He then assert his authority by downgrading those High Chiefs and Lesser Chiefs found connected in the rebellious action and subsequently elevated the then High Chief Lisa to became second-in-command.

When the entire Ondo people challenged Oba Airo about his unsatisfactory action and they vowed to remove him from the throne if he refused to reverse it. He rebuffed them and thus proclaimed himself as “AIRO” because he has done it and its irreversible. He also pronounced and established Ondo as a Kingdom from that moment onward with the creation of more quarters and put Chiefs to head those new quarters.

When the Ondos and the entire populated Chiefs realized that Oba Airo sound differently whose word became law instantly and appeared as powerful ever than before. They began to respect and fearful about him till the Oba passed away.

In conclusion, Oba Airo was never buried but towards his end on throne, he commanded the ground to split into two and disappeared therein. He later resurface in few places within the Palace to pass instructions to some Chiefs and that particular spot symbolized Airo shrine till today.

ONDO ORIGIN ANTHEM
D’Airo kaaa gbe wa o, D’Airo kaaa gbe wa o, Airo yo dudo e ma mu tee ku ona o, Do ka tuba do ka tuse, do ka diwa i se, Da wa ma ma seku, Omo Ondo dede po, Yo gh’uli do gh’ona, O ya daa s’owopo o, Daa ton Ondo se, Da mu s’uli da bo un, Da mu s’ona da bo un, D’Airo kaaa gbe wa o!!!

AIRO O DUDO A KA GBE DEDE WA O…ASE.