Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was the centre of attention for the centenary birthday celebration of the city’s monarch, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1. BISI OLA-DELE and TAYO JOHNSON write on the exciting week-long revelry.
Not many people hope to or could live up to 100 years but when anyone attains the centenary age – and still counting – then it calls for celebration. That was exactly what the people of Ibadan did about a fortnight ago when they staged a huge party to celebrate the 100th birthday of their monarch, Oba Samuel Odulana, Odugade I.
It was a unique occasion for the entire indigenes of the ancient city, who proudly celebrated their monarch as they practically sang and drummed it into the ears of those who cared to listen for the whole week that the event lasted, that Oba Odulana was a hundred years old.
Old age has never really been a problem as far as the throne of Olubadan of Ibadan land is concerned as most of the past Olubadans actually ascended the throne in their very old age, but few, if any, before Oba Odulana actually lived to celebrate 100 years on the throne. And that added to the uniqueness of the occasion.
From billboards announcing the birthday, to radio jingles and television commercials eulogising the monarch and the city, no resident could beat the impact of the media campaign heralding the birthday celebration.
While members of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), which planned and organised the ceremony were head-over-heels reaching out to interest groups, organisations, government and individuals to make the ceremony a huge success, politicians of Ibadan origin scrambled for newspaper pages, billboards and airtime on radio and television to congratulate the monarch. Among them were Governor Abiola Ajimobi, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former governor Rashidi Ladoja of Accord Party and Mr. Oluseyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Many other politicians donated towards the project.
By Sunday, April 14, the city was already agog for the ceremony. The monarch turned 100 years on Monday, April, 15. The week-long ceremony kicked off that Monday with a thanksgiving church service.
To lead other dignitaries in joining the Olubadan at the church thanksgiving service at the St Peter’s Cathedral, Aremo and cut the birthday cake that Monday was President Goodluck Jonathan. The city was already prepared as Mr President had confirmed his attendance.
But it was not to be as a suicide bomber ripped through the heart of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the fateful day, killing over 100 people, though government officials put the figure at 75.
The incident forced Jonathan to stay back in Abuja to visit the scene and condole with victims of the blast and their families.
As the blast inflicted pains on victims and many Nigerians, so did Jonathan’s absence in Ibadan that day inflict pain on some indigenes who had looked forward to his attendance to add colour and glamour to the ceremony.
But, the president sent a powerful delegation of six ministers to represent him and convey his goodwill message to the birthday boy, who personally attended the church service. They are Labaran Maku (Information), Jumoke Akinjide (Minister of State for FCT), Akinwumi Adesina (Agriculture), Omobola Johnson (Communication and Technology), Jelili Adesiyan (Police Affairs) and Musiliu Obanikoro (Minister of State for Defence)
As early as 7:30 am, all roads leading to the famous church, St Peter’s Cathedral, Aremo, in the heart of the city, had been blocked by security agents.
Security presence around the church itself was heavy. A combination of soldiers, policemen, operatives from the Department of Security Service (DSS), men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as men of the Federal Road Safety Corps, joined others to provide security for the visiting president.
However, the church glittered continuously with bright decoration, glamorous guests and many indigenes wearing uniform (aso-ebi) in honour of the birthday boy. Joy, songs of praise, dance and celebration pervaded the air as Ibadan indigenes revelled in pride for the unique occasion.
The church witnessed preponderance of a mixture of politicians, business men, professionals, Ibadan chiefs, friends, family and well-wishers.
Delivering the goodwill message in the church on Monday, on behalf of President Jonathan, Maku disclosed that the strong team representing the Fexeral Government showed the historic significance of the day.
He recalled that the President had since last year, when Oba Odugade clocked 99, planned to attend the centenary celebration with a prayer that God should spare the life of the monarch to see his 100th birthday and was happy and eager to fulfill his promise but for the Abuja bombing.
Asking for the observation of minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the bomb blast, he described those behind the dastardly act as forces of darkness and enemies of the country.
Jonathan lauded the peaceful coexistence among Yoruba Muslims, Christians and traditional worshippers, a very good example which he enjoined other ethnic groups follow. Regardless of religion or culture, President Jonathan stressed that Nigerians should see one another as fellow human beings and country men who should be shown love.
He pointed out the religious tolerance among Yoruba, stressing that if people in the Southwest could live with one another despite the population of both Muslims and Christians, then there should be no reason for political violence in any part of the country.
His words: “Yoruba land is a symbol of peace where Muslims, Christians and traditional worshippers embrace one another. If there is no religious violence in Yoruba land, there is no reason for religious violence anywhere in the country”, he said.
Playing glowing tributes to Oba Odugade, he described him as king among the kings and promoter of peace, not only among his people, but across the country by his doggedness, forthrightness and his knack for truth at all times.
In his sermon, Most Rev. Segun Okubadejo described the celebrant as an embodiment of virtues who has served mankind meritoriously.
He said attaining centenary in one’s lifetime is an uncommon phenomenon.
“This is unique because it is 100th birthday of royalty. We should offer sacrifice of jubilation and songs of praise to God for what He has done in the life of our king. Looking at the hopelessness, restlessness, insecurity in the world; looking at a world where life expectancy is now 49, it is worthy of praise for somebody to attain 100 years,” he said.
Turning to the celebrant, the cleric said: “You are a unique and distinguished personality. You are the first Olubadan to clock 100 years on the throne and the first Olubadan to serve his subjects meritoriously.”
Making reference to the book of Isaiah 3:10, he said the word ‘righteousness’ in the text does not connote perfection but connotes someone who has done justice to all. “Your impeccable record and invaluable contributions to social and other facets of life would remain indelible. As you live on, you must praise God because he has been so faithful to you. Praise him because his undying love is still available to you till you breathe your last”, he said.
After the church service, Ibadan chiefs: Mogajis and Baales together with the chairmen of the 11 local governments in Ibadan land, paid homage to the Olubadan in his palace at Monatan. It was a celebration of culture as the chiefs appeared in gorgeous Yoruba attires with beads around their necks. They prayed for longer life for the monarch as well as more peaceful reign.
On Tuesday, the president put the horror and pain of the Abuja bomb blast aside and paid a make-up visit to the celebrant. On his entourage were Senate President, David Mark; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and other top Federal Government officials.
They visited the monarch at his Monatan, Ibadan residence to personally join him in the centenary celebration.
The visit, which lasted 25 minutes, left the airport – Iwo Road – Monatan axis of the city reeling under traffic snarls for the period the president’s visit lasted.
Also, on Jonathan’s entourage were the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Muazu and the Deputy Senate Whip, Hosea Agboola. They were received at the airport by the state Governor Abiola Ajimobi while the Minister of State for FCT Jumoke Akinjide, Ajimobi’s predecessor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala and former Senate leader, Teslim Folarin, and some other PDP leaders joined them.
President Jonathan apologised for his inability to come on Monday as a result of the Nyanya bomb blast.
Though, he was represented by the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, he said he wished to attend personally but for the unfortunate incident.
While praying for more prosperous years ahead, he said his representative at the thanksgiving service on Monday had delivered his birthday message.
He described the Olubadan as a very unique monarch, being one of the very few around who were born when the Northern and Southern protectorates were amalgamated.
According to him, it is the clean mind, good character, clear conscience and good record of service, which the monarch has that made him enjoy longevity.
Jonathan and his entourage sang for the celebrant and thereafter cut the birthday cake.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Otun Olubadan, Omowale Kuye, who spoke on behalf of Olubadan praised the President for the visit, saying being the first person to occupy the presidential seat from the minority zone of the country, he had done the right thing by the approval he gave for the ongoing National Conference which he said, “is what the country needs currently.”
On Thursday, academics, medical experts, clerics and traditionalists gathered at the Civic Centre to deliberate on the theme of longevity which the Olubadan enjoys. It was another programme on the list of the centenary celebration.
Emeritus professor, Oladipo Akinkugbe, moderated the programme. After a long deliberation at the symposium with the theme: “Ageing and Longevity”, it was agreed among experts that consumption of large quantity of water, right amount of fruit, vegetables and regular exercise would keep sickness at bay. They also advocated forgiveness, that is, habouring no hatred or bitterness in one’s heart against fellow humans, as demonstrated by the celebrant.
At the symposium were Prof. Lekan Oyedeji, Mr Tunde Ajobo, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, Prof. Oloyede Abdulrahman and a traditionalist, Chief Ifasola Ifamapawa.
Others included the CCII National President, Chief Bayo Oyero, Chief Are Oyebola, Oloye Lekan Alabi and Chief Waheed Ekun.
Conferment of chieftaincy titles on some distinguished individuals on Saturday wrapped up the celebration. Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; Senate President, David Mark and a historian, Prof. Toyin Falola, were to be conferred with chieftaincy titles at the palace. But only Falola, a specialist in American history, showed up.
Falola was conferred with the title of ‘Bobapitan’ of Ibadan land by the Olubadan-in-Council.
The event started around 11:30 am with Falola, his wife, Bisi decked in a wine and chocolate colour Aso-oke. They were joined by friends and associates in the academic world from home and abroad.
Other indigenes, decked in a different uniform (aso-ebi) were on hand to add to the colour of the occasion. So were itinerary drummers, who drummed to the ecstasy of guests.
The Personal Assistant to Olubadan, Chief Isiaka Akinpelu, kicked off the event by inviting all the members of Olubadan-in-Council and later announced Falola’s name for the conferment.
The man prostrated for the Olubadan three times as a mark of respect and as custom demands.
His citation was read before a green (Akoko) leaf was placed under his cap to confirm him as a chief in Ibadan land. His wife became the ‘Yeye Bobapitan’ of Ibadan land.
Dignitaries at the ceremony were a former Head of Service of the Federation, Prof Oladapo Afolabi; Olugbo of Ugboland, Obateru Akinruntan; Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin; former Vice-Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Prof Akinola Murtala Salau; Amb. Olusola Saanu and Balogun Olubadan, High Chief Sulaimon Omiyale.
Others include, President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Bayo Oyero; Chairman of Council, Lead City University, Prof. Jide Owoeye; Ekerin Olubadan, High Chief Eddy Oyewole, scion of Olubadan, Prof Femi Lana and another son of the Olubadan, Prince Gbade Lana, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, among others.
In his speech, Prof. Falola said that he accepted the honour because Oba Odulana is not given to frivolous conferment of titles on undeserving individuals.
He said the honour was based on the monarch’s objective assessment of his intellectual acumen, adding that he would forever be grateful to the monarch.
“I am very proud of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, I would have collected several chieftaincy titles, but I have no choice than to accept this honour, coming from the highly revered royal father, the Olubadan. I know that he doesn’t just dole out chieftaincy titles anyhow. He is a man of no mean achievement and he is highly principled,” he said.
Reacting on behalf of the Olubadan, on why Senate President, David Mark and Prof Wole Soyinka were absent, Chief Isiaka Akinpelu, said that Mark had already written to the palace to inform them about his unavailability for the chieftaincy title conferment due to official engagements.
He said: “Mark promised to give us a new date to receive the title. Also for Prof. Soyinka, he is still mourning the death of his daughter and he called us yesterday evening that he would choose a new date when he will come for the title.”
For Oba Odugade 1 and the entire Ibadan indigenes, the centenary was a ceremony that will find a central place in the history of Ibadan land.
