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Tag: Alaafin

  • Students’ unrest: Alaafin convenes Town hall meeting

    Students’ unrest: Alaafin convenes Town hall meeting

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, recently convened a town hall meeting involving residents of the four local governments  areas in the town, over the recent violent protest by secondary school students that led to destruction of public properties in some parts of the state.

    Caretaker committee chairmen of Afijio, Atiba, Oyo-East and Oyo-West Local government councils and the leadership of Oyo Metropolitan Development Association, led by its chairman, Arch-Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, community and opinion leaders,

    security agencies, schools’ Principals, parents, teachers,  as well as religious leaders, all graced the meeting.

    The meeting afforded participants the opportunity to put heads together in a bid to discussed extensively on ways to arrest the ugly trend that has seen youngsters engaging in violence without restrain and proffer lasting solutions to the disturbing incidence as well as prevent future re-occurrence.

    Communiqué issued at the end of the meeting identified four broad areas, which include parents’, government, community and teachers’ roles.

    While it accepted and lauded the state government’s policy on education, the meeting noted that the release of promotional examination results should have been done before the third term vacation.

    It charged law enforcement agencies to be proactive in their intelligence gatherings and surveillance of schools within the metropolis, with a view to forestall any undesirable acts being perpetrated by students and their masterminds. The meeting also called for identifications and massive clamp down on all Indian hemp joints in the metropolis, as it stressed the need for youths to be positively engaged by enrolling in vocational trainings.

    ‘Parents should be alive to their responsibilities in child upbringing and home training. Since untrained children constitute affronts to the society, sound moral and religious teachings must be inculcated in them, so that they can become responsible citizens. Parents should also endeavour to visit their wards in schools, in order to assess their performances,” the communique read in part.

    The meeting further advocated for aggressive teachings and preaching by religious and community leaders on moral values, to avoid bad habits such as unwanted pregnancy, alcoholism and intake of narcotics. Other suggestions included, registration and close monitoring of non-natives in the metropolis by their native heads, introduction of morning and afternoon assemblies in schools to check truancy, and enhancement of guidance and counseling to assist students in solving personal, social and educational challenges.

    The communiqué was signed by the four the councils’ caretaker chairmen namely, Afijio, Lukman Anwo; Atiba, Okeniyi Gbolagade; Oyo-East, Azeez Tirimisiyu; and Oyo-West, Bisi Oladeji. The Chief Imam of Oyo, Sheikh Ganiyu Adebayo, Arch- Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Oyo branch, Pastor Oluwatobi and Aare Iseese, Oyo [for traditional religion], Chief Jayeola Morakinyo, also signed the document.

     

  • Alaafin seeks cultural rebirth for economic development

    Alaafin seeks cultural rebirth for economic development

    Modern lifestyles and technological advancement have combined to undermine the sense of identity that people had in the past. The need to be identified with one form of culture or the other has continued to propel many who feel “lost” or “rootless” to engage in a search for their ancestral heritage. BODE DUROJAIYE reports that the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, at this year’s Aje Festival in Badagry, Lagos State, stressed the need for government to evolve policies that would enhance cultural rebirth for economic development.

    Culture gatekeepers have said that if individuals and communities are to flourish, they must have a sense of identity and of their history. These are what their culture could give them.

    But sadly, it seems that the way the world is developing deprives individuals and nations of their culture, their roots.

    In the industrialised countries, modern lifestyle has continued to undermine the sense of identity that people had in the past. More and more people are feeling lost or rootless. The search for cultural and historical roots has recently become something of a trend in some developed and developing countries; but the need is a genuine one.

    It was on the basis of this that the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has called on the three tiers of government to evolve policies and programmes that would enhance cultural rebirth to enable it to play fundamental role in the country’s economic development.

    Describing culture as a way of life or total behavioural patterns and beliefs of a people which are communicated from generation to generation, the monarch also stressed the need for people to identify with their respective cultures. He urged government to recognise specific contributions that culture could make towards the nation’s overall development, saying that contributions of culture as a sub-sector of the economy could be either tangible or intangible; which comprises heritage, cultural and creative industries as well as cultural infrastructure. These, Oba Adeyemi 111, said, have helped in achieving sustainable economic developments such as poverty alleviation, social inclusion and environmental sustainability.

    Oba Adeyemi spoke at this year’s Aje Festival held in Badagry, Lagos State.

    This year’s festival was in commemoration of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Infamous Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and its Abolition.

    He said: “The tourism sector has become one of the world’s fastest growing economic sectors. Gross worldwide tourism receipts grew at an average rate of 7 per cent from 1998 to 2008, with 12 per cent for the least developed countries for the same period.

    “Cultural tourism-that relies on tangible and intangible cultural assets-accounts for 40 per cent of world’s tourism revenues. Investment in culture and creativity has proven an excellent means of revitalising the economy of cities.

    “Today, many cities use cultural heritage and cultural events and institutions to improve their image, stimulate urban development and attract visitors as well as investments.”

    “Most middle-income countries,” Alaafin continued, “are developing vibrant culture sectors and initiatives and request assistance in this area. Culture-led development also includes a range of non-monetised benefits, such as greater social inclusiveness and rootedness, resilience, innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship for individuals and communities and the use of local resources, skills, and knowledge.

    “Respecting and supporting cultural expressions contribute to strengthening the social capital of a community and fosters trust in public institutions. Cultural factors also influence lifestyles, individual behaviour, consumption patterns, values related to environmental stewardship and our interaction with the natural environment.

    “Local and indigenous knowledge systems and environmental management practices provide valuable insight and tools for tackling ecological challenges, preventing biodiversity loss, reducing land degradation and mitigating the effects of climate change.”

    Alaafin further said that cultural and creative industries represent one of the most rapidly expanding sectors in the global economy with a growth rate of 17.6 per cent in the Middle East, 13.9 per cent in Africa, 11.9 per cent in South America, 9.7 per cent in Asia, 6.9 per cent in Oceania and 4.3 per cent in North and Central America.

    “Promoting this sector requires limited capital investment, involves low entry barriers and can have a direct impact on vulnerable populations, including women.

  • Alaafin seeks support for festivals

    Alaafin seeks support for festivals

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III,  has stressed  the importance of celebrating past heroes, saying it is neither fetish nor against civilisation. The celebration, he said, would enable people to appreciate their ancestors and connect with their roots and heritage.

    He spoke while receiving the Intercontinental Distillers Limited (IDL) team during the Oranmiyan Festival in Oyo.

    The yearly festival, an event held in honour of the first Alaafin of Oyo and past Yoruba heroes, was supported this year by Eagle Aromatic Schnapps, a brand from the stable of Intercontinental Distillers Limited.

    Some of the activities held during the week-long festival included a press conference, visits to cultural sites, exhibitions, and Yoruba quiz.

    Duting the festival, the Gbegiri Day was set aside for welcoming Yoruba in Diaspora. The grand finale included beautiful masquerade dances from Dahomey in Benin Republic.

    IDL Head, Marketing, Mr Mobolaji Alalade, said Eagle Schnapps was at the forefront of promoting culture, hence the brand’s partnership with one biggest festivals in Yorubaland. ‘’Eagle Schnapps is a drink used to make libation as seen when the Alaafin used it to pray for longetivity, good health, prosperity and peace,’’ he said.

    During the feast, visitors had the opportunity of sampling the drink.

     

     

     

  • Buhari, Alaafin meet over Avengers, Boko Haram

    Buhari, Alaafin meet over Avengers, Boko Haram

    President Muhammadu Buhari  yesterday  was in a closed  meeting with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Alaafin of Oyo said discussions at the meeting bordered on problems facing the country, including militancy in the Niger Delta and insurgency in the North.

    According to him, Buhari requested traditional rulers to convey their advice on problems in the country in writing.

    He said: “As a Nigerian and one of the topmost traditional rulers in the country, I sent a memorandum to the President, which he acknowledged, and he asked me to come and endorse those things I have written.

    “I think it is time for me to use the proper channel to reach the President for suggestions and advice. Where he deserves commendation, I should also do that.

    “Especially as it concerns the multi-dimensional problems Nigeria is facing; the Avengers and the bombing of oil installations, MEND and Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

    “One major diplomatic point the President scored was the visit of the United States (U.S.) Secretary of State, John Kerry. America does not usually send top officers for such visits, if they have not used certain parameters to gauge the country’s performance.

    “I have met with the President and offered some suggestions. We are losing huge resources to the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers. Coming close to that is the infiltration of the militants in Lagos and Ikorodu, where in the last three weeks, 10 landlords were massacred.”

    Noting that the Federal Government responded to wipe out the threat, he said normalcy has returned to Ikorodu and Arepo.

  • Alaafin, Ooni, Akiolu, scholars seek speaking of Yoruba in Southwest schools

    Alaafin, Ooni, Akiolu, scholars seek speaking of Yoruba in Southwest schools

    Three prominent traditional rulers in Yorubaland yesterday backed the speaking of Yoruba language in schools in Lagos State as well as other Southwest states.

    They spoke at a one-day summit of stakeholders at Agidingbi, Ikeja to deliberate on a bill to make the teaching and speaking of the language compulsory in primary, secondary schools as well as tertiary institutions in the state.

    The bill is before the state House of Assembly, which organised the summit under the Committee on Education, chaired by Lanre Ogunyemi.

    The Obas present at the event are: Ooni of Ife Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Alaafin of Oyo Lamidi Adeyemi and Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos.

    Oba Adeyemi hailed the organisers of the programme and said traditional rulers in Yorubaland would support any move to promote the language.

    According to him, the first person to do a research on the impact of languages to development was the late Prof. Babs Fafunwa, a former minister of education.

    “The first African bishop, Ajayi Crowther, translated Hebrew and English Bibles into Yoruba language and about 11 other languages,” he said, emphasising that language is culture.

    Ooni Ogunwusi urged Yoruba people to see themselves as leaders, stressing that God has blessed them abundantly.

    The Oba lamented that the language was not being promoted as it should be due to in-fighting and disunity.

    He added that this was causing a lot of setbacks for the race.

    He wondered why the Yorubas neglected the Ifa oracle, which he called the angel of wisdom that understands everything.

    “Ifa is the root of computers and telephones. The white men even named a computer ‘oracle’.

    “Presently, we are doing Ifa anniversary in Ile-Ife and a lot of white men are there now,” he said.

    Oba Akiolu advised that the programme should be replicated in the states in the Southwest.

    He urged everyone to pray for the success of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola attended the event. Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Lagos State Akinwunmi Ambode were represented.

    Aregbesola added that anybody attending school in Yorubaland should be made to study and acquire a certificate in Yoruba language before they can graduate.

    In his lecture at the event, notable Yoruba scholar, playwright and actor, Prof. Akinwunmi Ishola, said it was important for the people to promote the language since people are better recognised based on their language, culture and tradition.

    Ishola, whose lecture was presented by Prof. Duro Adeleke of University of Ibadan, noted that Yoruba is one of the three languages recognised as the major languages in Nigeria, with the rest being Igbo and Hausa.

    The eminent scholar, who spoke on the theme: “Making the teaching of Yoruba compulsory in public and private schools in Lagos State”, the scholar said India and Arabian countries that were colonised by the British did not neglect their local languages.

    He said: “We should speak Yoruba in our institutions. Yoruba is one of the languages recommended to be taught in our schools to promote unity and it occupies a prominent position among languages in the world.

    “If you lose your language, you would lose your culture. Language of a people has to do with their culture, language, dress, hairstyle and some other things.”

    Ishola explained that Yoruba is rich in greetings and that they have greetings for all occasions.

    He added that ‘Ifa’ was sent to the United Nations Education and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) in 2004 and that it was recognised as being rich in culture in 2005.

    He suggested that Yoruba language be made compulsory in primary and secondary schools and that it should be a general study in colleges of education, polytechnics and universities.

    He added that books written in foreign languages should be interpreted in the local language.

    Prof. Akinloye Ojo, who teaches Yoruba in one of the United States (U.S.) universities and Prof. Akanni Ige, who also lectures the language in Republic of Benin, urged the guests to make sure the language is upgraded and cherished.

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudasiru Obasa noted that the forum was organised by the House to restore the lost glory of Yoruba language.

    He regretted that most of the public and private schools did not follow the National Policy on Education on language.

    Ogunyemi said the forum was organised to emphasise the importance of teaching Yoruba language in primary and secondary schools.

    Other dignitaries present at the event include Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs. Idiat Adebule; the state governor’s wife, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; the lawmakers of the Assembly; Senator Olorunimbe Mamora; Prof. Sophie Oluwole; Prof. Harrison Adeniyi; Abayomi Kinyomi and others.

  • How to stimulate rural development, by Alaafin

    How to stimulate rural development, by Alaafin

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has demanded the inclusion of Nigerian arts and culture in schools curricula. Their inclusion of arts in the curricula of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, he said, would go a long way in ensuring cultural reorientation of youngsters.

    The Alaafin said since the major index of development is high living standard of the people, cultural heritage promotion should be part of the country’s development efforts.

    He stated this at a town hall meeting held with people in the ancient town.

    Alaafin pointed out that there is a critical need to find solutions to problems of cultural destitution and destruction in the name of modernisation.

    He added that what Nigerians must first do as a nation is to protect, cherish and nurture their cultural heritage through the pursuit of sustainable development policies that will marry culture and development.

    This, he said, is because any development that destroys our culture is counter-productive, so also is any culture that does not allow for development.

    According to Oba Adeyemi, “the graduation of the Asian Tigers, particularly China, from underdeveloped countries to developed countries was culture-driven. The root of Chinese development success was in the 1965-1968 cultural revolution that was meant to restore the cultural principles of the Chinese people and revolutionise political opinion and behaviour. Today, China is one of the strongest economies in the world courtesy of its development efforts driven by cultural rejuvenation and revolution. The foundation of our efforts at development must be the rejuvenation, protection and appreciation of our cultural heritage, which will be the bedrock of selling it to outsiders. If we do not appreciate our own cultural values, there is no way we can harness it for our development.”

    He said: “We must strive to maximise economic opportunities of our cultural artefacts and festivals for our development. All these can be developed to meeting international tourist standard and thus yield enormous foreign earnings to our governments at various levels. In the first instance, there would be a stimulation of rural development since most of the tourist attraction areas are located in the rural areas. Second, it would also lead to drastic reduction in rural-urban migration and human congestion in the urban centres which is one of the major economic problems of the contemporary Nigerian state because of employment opportunities and income generation that will be opened up for rural dwellers.”

    Alaafin cited the instance of the Yoruba which possessed famous traditions of art, precisely because they had productive economies and vibrant commercial systems, which allowed artists and craft workers freedom from scarcity and provided access to metals, woods and clay sculpture.

    The Yoruba, Oba Adeyemi said, have also created sophisticated institutions of government.

    “The Yoruba cultural impact is so great not only in Nigeria but also in modern Brazil, Cuba and the Americas where their religion and culture have remained pervasive. This remarkable cultural triumph makes the Yoruba experience one of the most fascinating subjects of historical study in the world. This rich history has placed a significant onus on the Yoruba people and their leaders in the contemporary society given particularly the developmental challenges confronting the Nigerian nation.”

    He continued: “the Yoruba are heirs to an ancient, rich and cultured civilisation. This culture is known for its artistic triumphs,extraordinary oral literature, complex pantheon of gods and an urban lifestyle. Yoruba cultures are rooted in excellence, hard work, dedication, determination, sincerity, frankness, truthfulness, ingenuity, industry, and resourcefulness. This is the main reason why

    “Yoruba people are the engine of growth of the development of this great country. They are at the fore front of the various sectors of the national economy such as health, education, agriculture and so on”.

    Oba Adeyemi also elaborated on Ifa divination, which he referred to an ancient Yoruba knowledge system that “reveals to us the coherence, logicality, precision and profundity of thoughts, philosophy, mathematics and computer science as known and practised by the Yoruba before the 11th century A.D.”

    He described Ifa as the greatest unwritten Holy Book on earth, a perennial fountain of esoteric knowledge from which all prophets derive their inspiration.

    To the Alaafin, “science, especially computer science is ‘Ifa compatible’. The computer like Ifa is based on the binary system.

    Implicit in this development is the ease with which national unity could be forged if these unifying cultural strands are carefully studied and emphasised.

  • How to stimulate rural development, by Alaafin

    How to stimulate rural development, by Alaafin

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has demanded incorporation of Nigerian arts and culture in schools curricula. The incorporation of arts in the curricula of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions he said, would go a long way in creating cultural reorientation for youngsters.

    The Alaafin said since the major index of development is high living

    standard of the people, cultural heritage promotion should be part of the country’s development efforts.

    He stated this at a town hall meeting held with people in the ancient town.

    Alaafin pointed out that there is a critical need to find solutions to problems of cultural destitution and destruction in the name of modernisation.

    He added that what Nigerians must first do as a nation is to protect, cherish and nurture their cultural heritage through the pursuit of sustainable development policies that will marry culture and development.

    This, he said, is because any development that destroys our culture is counter-productive, so also is any culture that does not allow for development.

    According to Oba Adeyemi, “the graduation of the Asian Tigers, particularly China, from underdeveloped countries to developed countries was culture-driven. The root of Chinese development success was in the 1965-1968 cultural revolution that was meant to restore the cultural principles of the Chinese people and revolutionise political opinion and behaviour. Today, China is one of the strongest economies in the world courtesy of its development efforts driven by cultural rejuvenation and revolution. The foundation of our efforts at development must be the rejuvenation, protection and appreciation of our cultural heritage which will be the bedrock of selling it to outsiders. If we do not appreciate our own cultural values, there is no way we can harness it for our development.

    He said: “We must strive to maximise economic opportunities of our cultural artefacts and festivals for our development. All these can be developed to meeting international tourist standard and thus yield enormous foreign earnings to our governments at various levels. In the first instance, there would be a stimulation of rural development since most of the tourist attraction areas are located in the rural areas. Second, it would also lead to drastic reduction in rural-urban migration and human congestion in the urban centres which is one of the major economic problems of the contemporary Nigerian state because of employment opportunities and income generation that will be opened up for rural dwellers.”

    Alaafin cited the instance of the Yoruba which possessed famous traditions of art, precisely because they had productive economies and vibrant commercial systems, which allowed artists and craft workers freedom from scarcity and provided access to metals, woods and clay sculpture.

    The Yoruba, Oba Adeyemi said, have also created sophisticated institutions of government.

    “The Yoruba cultural impact is so great not only in Nigeria but also in modern Brazil, Cuba and the Americas where their religion and culture have remained pervasive. This remarkable cultural triumph makes the Yoruba experience one of the most fascinating subjects of historical study in the world. This rich history has placed a significant onus on the Yoruba people and their leaders in the contemporary society given particularly the developmental challenges confronting the Nigerian nation.”

    He continued: “the Yoruba are heirs to an ancient, rich and cultured civilisation. This culture is known for its artistic triumphs,extraordinary oral literature, complex pantheon of gods and an urban lifestyle. Yoruba cultures are rooted in excellence, hard work, dedication, determination, sincerity, frankness, truthfulness, ingenuity, industry, and resourcefulness. This is the main reason why

    “Yoruba people are the engine of growth of the development of this great country. They are at the fore front of the various sectors of

    the national economy such as health, education, agriculture and so on”.

    Oba Adeyemi also elaborated on Ifa divination, which he referred to an ancient Yoruba knowledge system that “reveals to us the coherence, logicality, precision and profundity of thoughts, philosophy, mathematics and computer science as known and practised by the Yoruba before the 11th century A.D.”

    He described Ifa as the greatest unwritten Holy Book on earth, a perennial fountain of esoteric knowledge from which all prophets derive their inspiration.

    To the Alaafin, “science, especially computer science is ‘Ifa compatible’. The computer like Ifa is based on the binary system.

    Implicit in this development is the ease with which national unity could be forged if these unifying cultural strands are carefully studied and emphasised.

  • Oke-Ogun obas, ODC bicker over Alaafin’s authority

    Oke-Ogun obas, ODC bicker over Alaafin’s authority

    Recent advertorials in national dailies are signals that all is not well with the relationship between the people of Oke-Ogun and the institution of the Alaafin of Oyo. BISI OLADELE examines the lines of accord and discord between the two as well as the implications of the new trend

    The relationship between the people of Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State and the institution of the Alaafin of Oyo is becoming resentful going by recent advertorials in national newspapers in which suspicions of discord were confirmed. With the public presentation of such facts and allegations, it is safe to posit that the end may be in sight for the relationship that has lasted for centuries.

    Oke-Ogun, a homogenous area which is at the northern part of Oyo State, is knitted together in 10 local government areas.

    In a recent advertorial, the people of Oke-Ogun, speaking under the auspices of the Oke-Ogun Development Council (ODC), faulted opposition of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, to the proposed solidarity visit by traditional rulers in Oke-Ogun to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

    The advertorial, signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the council, Leke Adelere, faulted Oba Adeyemi on some of his claims surrounding promotion of peace and development of the Oke-Ogun area.

    The ODC is the umbrella body encompassing all socio-cultural associations, clubs and professional groups of Oke-Ogun indigenes.

    But the Alaafin is the consenting authority for new traditional rulers to be installed in Oke-Ogun’s many towns and communities. The Oyo State Chiefs Laws authorises the first-class monarch to consent to installation of new obas based on common history.

    But while the Alaafin has played the leadership role to the communities in the area with many obas have allegedly been grudgingly paying obeisance, the elite under the ODC seem to be spoiling for what can be described as a fight for freedom.

    In the advertorial, the ODC criticised Alaafin for sending a letter to each of the obas in the area in which he condemned their plan to pay a solidarity visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, without his approval as the consenting authority.

    The ODC faulted Alaafin’s claim of playing a fatherly role and promoting unity in the area, saying it was all deceit.

    It posited that his letter to the obas “evoked a sad memory of the atavistic age of tsar dealing with the serfs” but emphasised that such era was gone forever, and that the Alaafin should accept the reality of an independent Oke-Ogun.

    The council also cleared one of its own, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, of wrong doing in the scenario. The ODC faulted an alleged claim by the Alaafin that Ojerinde was behind the planned visit to Ooni and vowed that the visit was the idea of the obas, stressing that it would not be abandoned for any reason.

    “You should recognise and accept the existence of the body (Oke-Ogun obas) as a reality and live with it. They have unfettered freedom of association and movement under the Nigerian constitution. And it is under this constitutionally guaranteed freedom that the Oke-Ogun obas in their own free volition and without inducement from anybody, as alleged by your Royal Highness, decided that they would pay a solidarity visit to the new Ooni of Ife, His Royal Highness (HRH) Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11. What permission or consent do they require from you to do that? The planned solidarity visit of the Oke-Ogun obas to Ooni still subsists. It will not be abandoned as a result of your intimidation,” the advertorial read in part.

    But prior to the ODC advertorial, 20 obas from the area paid the Alaafin a solidarity visit, dissociating themselves from the secret plan to visit the Ooni.

    Even after the ODC advertorial, many obas in the area published another advertorial on Sunday in which they pledged their loyalty to the Alaafin. The obas cut across the 10 local government areas in Oke-Ogun.

    Differing from the views of the ODC’s advertorial, 22 obas loyal to the Alaafin issued an advertorial condemning the ODC’s move.

    In the advertorial, they said they viewed the publication by ODC on Wednesday, April 20 as despicable, and an unprecedented abomination which is most unbefitting any civilised person or group in Yoruba land.

    On the issues raised on the publication, the obas said inter alia: “We, the traditional rulers of Oke-Ogun have never been consulted nor held any meeting with the said ODC concerning the content of the press release prior to its publication. Our consent was neither sought nor given.

    “That we state unequivocally that we were not privy to the publication, and we were all shocked to the marrow, and greatly embarrassed by the  publication which does not in any way or shape reflect our unanimous views and considered opinion on the person and office of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi II.

    ‘That all of us, Oke-Ogun traditional rulers openly testify to the honour and respect we have enjoyed in all our interactions and relationships with the Alaafin of Oyo. We have suffered no indignity or insults in the course of our numerous personal and official visits to the palace in Oyo. As a matter of fact , we have enjoyed an unprecedented relationship of mutual respect and honour from the Alaafin.

    “We all support and love the Alaafin and are happy to follow his progressive and purposeful, humane and caring leadership. He has never misled us, neither has he disappointed us in all the years of our following in his footsteps.

    “We hereby condemn in unmistakable terms and in its entirety the content of the ODC publication. We call on the brains behind this publication to openly apologise to the Oke-Ogun obas and people, and to Iku Baba Yeye, the Alaafin of Oyo, the permanent chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

     

    Immediate and remote causes of the crisis

     In Oke-Ogun, for some decades, many elite have been expressing concern about the huge power which the Alaafin wields in serving as the consenting authority in selection and installation of obas in the area. They view the traditional and legal authority as casting their people as being subservient to the institution of the Alaafin. But that does not change the law, history or tradition. Yet, the concern is growing steadily among members of the ODC which they tactically express at opportune occasions.

    As implied in the ODC advertorial, elite in the area are nursing bitterness against the Alaafin on the manner in which he wields his power as the consenting authority. The advertorial exposed the silent bitterness among Oke-Ogun indigenes against the Alaafin. The monarch is, however, not unaware of the situation. But he sticks firmly to the law and tradition backed by the common history of the Oyo and Oke-Ogun area of Yoruba land.

    While this remains at the background as a cause of bitterness, the immediate cause of the latest crisis could be situated in the ascension of the new Ooni and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, between December, last year and March this year.

    The glamour and honour accorded the enthronement of the two monarchs as well as the unity agenda of Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi were said to have stirred up Oke-Ogun obas to seek an audience with Oba Ogunwusi.

    The goals, it was gathered, were to key into Ooni’s unity agenda and also find their voices as a bloc of traditional rulers in Yoruba land with adequate recognition.

    It was learnt, however, that Oba Ogunwusi reached out to the Alaafin, informing him of the plan by the monarchs to pay him a solidarity visit.

    The Alaafin viewed the move as a subversion of the law and tradition. He quickly moved to exert authority over most of the obas that are loyal to him. As a result, many of the obas quickly backed out of the idea and expressed their loyalty to the Alaafin.

     

    ODC as a sacrificial lamb?

     

    In the unfolding scenario, ODC seems to be standing alone in its move to intervene in the traditional authority issue. With most obas in the area standing by the Alaafin, the ODC is left in the cold to sort itself out.

    What exactly does the ODC want? As enunciated in the advertorial, the council seeks freedom for its people from the control of the Alaafin in the area of selecting and enthroning obas.

    But whether the dream is realisable or not will be determined by the provisions of the Oyo State Chiefs Law, the Nigerian Constitution, democratic principles, culture, tradition and history.

  • Alaafin lauds Afe Babalola

    Alaafin lauds Afe Babalola

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has described a foremost lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola, as “a prodigiously hard worker, tireless creative genius, worthy apostle of truth, justice and fair play, as well as an uncompromising defender of the down-trodden’’.

    The paramount ruler stated this in his tribute to the legal icon who is being inducted into the African Hall of Fame by the Advisory Board of the African Leadership Development Foundation, Incorporated United States of America, and the African Leadership Limited of the United Kingdom.

    The induction was in appreciation of Afe’s pioneering excellence and innovation in tertiary education in Africa.

    Afe Babalola is the Aare-Bamofin of Yorubaland. According to Oba Adeyemi, “ from whatever perspective, one looks at

    Aare Afe Babalola , whether in Law where he had excelled to the level of  pioneer Senior Advocate of Nigeria [SAN], a maker of many SANs, many Attorney-Generals of the federation; a philanthropist of no mean order, or in education, where he had single-handedly built a university which had also excelled as one of the best private universities, not only in Nigeria but, in the Africa-continent”.

    Alaafin added:” Let me throw a gauntlet here, no Nigerian lawyer, living or dead, has produced under his chamber over three hundred distinguished lawyers, all of them, in their own rights masters of forensic advocacy in courts of law”.

    Oba Adeyemi further asserted that while the induction of Aare Babalola is not surprising against the backdrop of aforementioned attestations, besides the area of Law and Education, he is a grassroot man to the core in politics and in the area of community development.

  • Alaafin warns Oyo Obas against subversion

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has warned traditional rulers in Oyo State against acts capable of undermining peace, stability and progress of the state.

    Alaafin said it was undesirable and bad omen for Obas, out of egoistic desires, constitute themselves as irritants not only for their people but also the entire state.

    He also described Governor Abiola Ajimobi as a man of virtues, blunt, intelligent and whose sincere desires to transform the state for the good of all is bedevilled by global economic recession.

    Oba Adeyemi gave the warning on Sunday when about 20 traditional rulers from Oke-Ogun area of the state paid him a solidarity visit.

    Intelligence report reached the paramount ruler who is also the permanent Chairman, State Council of Obas and Chiefs that some royal fathers, mostly from Oke-Ogun area were planning to pay a secret solidarity visit to the Ooni of Ife in Osun State, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja 11.

    The aim of the Greek visit, it was reliably gathered, was to seek financial assistance from the Ooni on the pretext that the state governor has not been caring for their well-being; thus starving them of funds.

    The Ooni was said to have called the Alaafin on a telephone to intimate him of the secret visit.

    He (Ooni) was said to have turned down the request for the visit, insisting that for such to be honoured, it must be approved by the Alaafin.

    The Alaafin was said to have immediately alerted the governor and subsequently wrote strong-worded warning letters to all the royal fathers in Oke-Ogun on the implications of the secret visit and the need to desist from it.

    Jolted by the letters, traditional rulers from all the nine local government areas in Oke-Ogun converged on the Alaafin’s palace in Oyo town to register their unalloyed loyalty and support for the paramount ruler.

    The traditional rulers, who spoke one after the other, extolled the virtues of the Alaafin who they described as “caring, passionate and trust-worthy father”.

    While reigning curses on those traditional rulers for their acts of rebellion, they urged those behind the subterranean move to stop ridiculing the traditional institution.

    While acknowledging continued moral and financial support of the paramount ruler, the Oke- Ogun Obas hinted that but for the unflinching backing of the Alaafin, some of them would not have gotten to the throne of their ancestors.

    In his response, the Alaafin of Oyo described planned secret visit to the Ooni by some traditional rulers as “an act of ingratitude and covetousness”.

    “The economic recession bedeviling the state is neither peculiar to the state nor traditional rulers. It also affects workers, as some were still being owed months of salaries. Governor Ajimobi is focused and determined and has not been handling matters relating to traditional rulers with levity whenever I contacted him with any.

    “When I called him to find out about the situation of things, it took the governor some minutes, for the first time, to respond. He took time to explain in details and even gave the breakdown of the state incomes and expenditures, even for verification,” the Alaafin said.

    Oba Adeyemi explained that those traditional rulers who thought it “wise” to pay secret visit to the Ooni for financial inducement were largely beneficiaries of the state government.

    “It is ridiculous for an Oba to leave his palace and beg for money.

    The governor was angry when he heard about it. If they had carried out their secret visit to the Ooni, the governor vowed to dethrone them as soon as they return. How can an Oba tarnish the image of his state and that of the government for a pot of porridge? Traditional institution is a repository of not only for culture and traditions, but also veritable avenues for consultations and advice to constituted authorities for good governance.

    Although the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdul-Ganiy Ajinase Ologunebi was conspicuously absent at the event, all other traditional rulers were in attendance.

    They include Iba of Kisi, Oba Moshood Oyekola Lawwwwal; Sabiganna of Iganna, Oba Saliu Oyemonla Azeez; Ona-Onibode of Igboho, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adetoyese Jaiyeola; Oluggggbo of Igbojaye, Oba Oladimeji Olatunji; Onigbope of Igbope, Oba Matthew Olaniyi Atoyebi 11 and Bagijan of Ilaji-Ile, Oba Lawal Oyeleye.

    Others were, Olokaka of Okaka, Oba Iyiola Azeez Olaniyi; Oniwere-oke of Iwere-oke, Oba Raphael Olatunde Akinyemi; Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Emmanuel Oyekan Oyebisi; Onisanbo of Ogboro, Oba Salami Adedokun Adeteru 111; Ajoriwin of Irawo, Oba Musiliudeen Ademola Olalere; Oloje of Oje-Owode, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Oyinloye; Alamodu of Ago-Amodu, Oba

    Lawal Adebowale Alao ; Alado of Ado-Awaye, Oba Folarin Oyetunji Abilawon 1 and the royal ambassador to the Alaafin, Are Ayanlakin.

    The remaining royal fathers were, Olonko of Baba-Ode, Oba Olusegun Adeseun Olorode; Elero of Ilero, Oba Deacon Emmanuel Afolabi Egunjobi (JP); Onimia of Imia, Oba Sikiru Adeniyi; Onisemi of Isemi-Ile, Oba Kazeem Mustapha; Eleyinpo of Ipapo, Oba Ademola Atoyebi and the

    Onibise of Komu Oba Thomas Opoola Olaore.

    The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Emmanuel Adegboyega Osunbade Adeyelu and the Aresa of Iresa-Adu, Oba Jimoh Oloyede whose visit was co-incidental were also in attendance.