Members of the Aliiwo Royal Family in the United Kingdom gathered in grand style in South East London to mark the 2025 edition of the Aliiwo Royal Day.
The occasion, which drew family members, friends, and well-wishers from across the UK, was held at 130 Croydon Road, Elmers End Green, Beckenham Kent.
Clad in matching blue Ankara fabric (Aso-ebi), attendees turned out in large numbers to celebrate their heritage, unity, and the newly installed Mogaji (family head), Prince Kamaldeen Giwa.
The event featured a rich display of Yoruba culture, including the rhythmic sounds of talking drums, traditional music, an assortment of local dishes, and a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony.
In his address, Prince Kamaldeen Giwa attributed his emergence as the head of the Aliiwo Royal Family to the unity of purpose and support from the Aliiwo in Diaspora.
He appealed for continued support from family members in the diaspora to further enhance the development of Aliiwo.
Mogaji Giwa also congratulated Olubadan-in-waiting, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, and prayed that his reign would bring more peace and development to the ancient city.
Delivering a welcome speech, the Chairman of Aliiwo in Diaspora, Dr. Bisikay Ayedun, stated that the ceremony served two purposes of bringing members together from across the UK and to celebrate Prince Kamaldeen Giwa’s emergence as Mogaji.
He noted that Aliiwo in Diaspora, established a decade ago, has achieved significant milestones, with the installation of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, late Oba Olalekan Balogun, Ali-Okunmade II, being one of its most notable accomplishments.
Dr Ayedun explained that the Aliiwo Royal Family is proud to be among the only four families in history to have produced two Olubadans.
The Vice-Chairman of the group and President of the Rotary Club London Hendon, Princess Sade Tairu, emphasised that the reward for good deeds is more good, while lauding Mogaji Kamaldeen Giwa’s virtues of generosity, kindness, and commitment to communal development, evident even before his appointment as the family head.
Notable figures in attendance included the General Secretary, Prince Dosu Giwa; Prince Adebayo Asimiyu; Prince Adeyemi Bello; and Princess Bola Hassan-Fasan.
Also present were Prince Demola Aremu, Princess Temi Giwa-Sulaiman, Prince Afeez Tijani, Prince Niyi Tairu, and Princess Folake Giwa-Alabi.
