The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, has honoured an African American man of Yoruba descent with a traditional chieftaincy title after he traced his family roots to the Mosene lineage in Lagos State.
At a colourful ceremony held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, inside the Ayangburen Palace, Jon James Omobowale Olomo was installed as the Basetọ Ìpadàbọ̀ Sílẹ̀ of Ikorodu.
The event also featured the conferment of a chieftaincy title on Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and attracted dignitaries, traditional rulers, and media attention from across the country.
Olomo, who was born in the United States, traced his ancestry to the Mosene chieftaincy family — descendants of Prince Senlu of Imota, one of the early founding families of Ikorodu.
Palace insiders revealed that his installation was part of a broader effort to reconnect the Yoruba diaspora with their ancestral home.
Speaking at the ceremony, Oba Shotobi praised Ikorodu for being a community that welcomes its sons and daughters. He described the moment as historic, saying that even though Olomo was born abroad, he has returned to take his rightful place.
Olomo is the founder of Tribal Tapestry, a DNA-based ancestry platform that helps African Americans trace their roots to African tribes. He had earlier been honoured as a prince in Shasha Kingdom, Alimosho, Lagos.
After receiving his title, Olomo said the honour symbolises a cultural bridge between Africa and the diaspora. He explained that Tribal Tapestry is not only reconnecting people with their origins but also helping Nigeria reunite with her children abroad.
He further announced plans to introduce new projects in Ikorodu, including a Diaspora Genealogist Training Programme to equip locals with ancestry-tracing skills and Annual Homecoming Tours to help African Americans reconnect with their Nigerian relatives.
Through DNA testing, family records, and oral histories, Tribal Tapestry continues to link African Americans with their ancestral homes.
Experts believe that such initiatives could boost cultural tourism and position Ikorodu as a major hub for diaspora engagement.
