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Tag: monarchs

  • One Urhobo kingdom, seven monarchs

    One Urhobo kingdom, seven monarchs

    The famous Ughievwen Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State is embroiled in crisis. Eight monarchs are jostling for recognition after four of the clans that make up the old kingdom broke away and installed their own kings. More than one monarch has also emerged within some of the sub-clans.

    Chief Thomas Oketete of Uhurie-Subclan is Okutu l, Ovie of Uhurie Kingdom; Mr Felix Ofuru of Ughevwughe-Uhurie Subclan is Ovie of Ughievwen Kingdom; Chief Thompson Apah of Agbowhiame-Ukpedi Subclan, is Adjasaba l, Ovie of Ukpedi Kingdom; T.E.O.Oviri of Okwagbe-Ukpedi Subclan is Mosumo-Okwagbe l, Ovie of Ukpedi Kingdom and Dafe Bukeroro Kogbodi of Egbo-Ideh-Owahwa Subclan is Ode l, Ovie of Owahwa Kingdom.

    Others are William Kushone of Iwhreka-Orhowhe Subclan, Ovie of Orhowhe Kingdom and David Okome of Otor-Edo -Orhowhe subclan, Edo l, Ovie of Orhowhe kingdom.

    The kings have their crowd of supporters and opponents within the larger kingdom and their own clans. They also have personal trouble and challenges they are contending with. But none faces as much headache as the Okobaro of Ugheivwen, HRM Mathew Egbi Owawha II, whose sphere of authority has been greatly reduced by rebellious subjects. He faces war from seven fronts.

    Two of the contestants to the various thrones are in trouble over their aspirations; while one of the ‘kings’ has been declared wanted by the police, another has been arrested and in custody.

    Although the Secretary of Ughievwen Traditional Council of Chiefs, Olorogun Benson Tietie, told our reporter that there is only one Okobaro (king), Owawha II, in Ughievwen, our investigation revealed otherwise.

    Among the newly emerged kingdoms is Ukpedi, which leaders recently crowned His Royal Majesty Tony Evwiroro Maka Oviri (JP) (Okwagbe I) as king.

    Throwing a light on the crisis that led to the disintegration of the Ughievwen Kingdom, the sectional monarch said the development was the product of 20 years of internal bickering over the throne of Okobaro (king) of Ughievwen.

    It was gathered that the emergence of the current monarch, Owawha II as the Okobaro of Ughievwen did enjoy the support of other clans. It was gathered he enjoys the support of the state government, which Deputy Governor, Prof Amos Utuama hails from the kingdom.

    Although Owawha II received a staff of office from the state government in 2011, he failed to receive the respect of other clans. The grievances of those opposed to him, our finding revealed, stemmed from the fact that he hails from Owawha clan (as his title implies), the same as the last occupant of the throne.

    Olorogun Tietie clarified that the case went to court and a ruling affirming Owawha II as king was obtained.

    He said rather that appeal the ruling, various sub-clans came up with their iown kings, stating: “As at today, there are seven kings.”

    “Thomas Okotete declared himself king of Uwhurie. We went to court to challenge it and the judge referred the matter to UPU (Urhobo Progress Union) for settlement. Other clans are declaring themselves kingdom. Now there are seven. One of the ‘kings; have been declared wanted, one remanded in custody. Others are moving up and down parading themselves. But it is illegal.”

    But speaking with reporters at Eyara, the ancestral home of the clan after his coronation, Okwagbe I said it was agreed that the various clans should go their separate ways to restore peace among the people.

    The ceremony was witnessed by the 11 communities that make up the kingdom.

    He said: “The division all started as a result of the struggle for the succession of the Okobaro seat, particularly when His Royal Majesty Dase from Owawha Kingdom passed on. It took the kingdom over twenty years to find somebody to succeed him and, as a result of the wrangling that occurred, the counsel from men of God and other men of wisdom, the communities came to the conclusion that it was better that the four sub-clans that made up the Ughievwen Kingdom go their separate ways.

    “The meeting led to another round of meeting which (was) thought wise by High Chief Kenneth Gbagi (former Minister of State for Education) and other sons of the kingdom that led to the unanimous decision that the four sub-clans should go their separate ways.

    “As I speak to you now, the Uwurhie at that time which felt offended as a result of not having a bite of the kingship were the first to have succeeded, and they have their own king.”

    Okwagbe 1 told his supporters that his reign would attract massive development and usher fresh breath to the people of the kingdom. He added that he was aware of the problems facing his people.

    He said: “Our community felt that enough is enough for the wicked ones, they selected me and crowed as a king. To them, I have the grassroots support; I have the middle class, the women and men, youths. Iit was an overwhelming support my people showed to me. And as at yesterday (on Monday) the elders and leaders of the 11 communities that make up the Ukpedi Kingdom, crowned me in a very groundbreaking ceremony as their Ovie, and I will not disappoint them.

    “I want to commend one of our High Chiefs, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi who I would say midwife this kingdom and by the grace of God, we are grateful to him for his very bold step. With this, it is going to be a new dawn for the kingdom.”

    He urged the people of the kingdom to give the monarch the needed support to succeed.

    Nevertheless, our independent investigations revealed that there is crisis even within the Ukpedi Kingdom. Sources, who asked not to be named, said a section of the chiefs in the kingdom have elected their own king.

    “Tony Oviri, no doubt, enjoys the support of some prominent members of the kingdom, including the former minister and a prominent clergy, who is an executive member of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), but the truth remains that there are other persons in the kingdom. The opinions of these other persons are also important,” our source said.

    But, some are also backing Apah of Agbowhiame-Ukpedi Subclan, who has also been crowned Adjasaba l, Ovie of Ukpedi Kingdom.

    How long the crisis rages may determine how many monarchs finally emerge. But, Tietie, who backs his position with the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and Chiefs Laws, Section 20 (2a), warned that those parading themselves risk being sent to jail.

    He said: “…they shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment of two years or a fine of N5,000.”

    What is certain though is that the last has not been heard of the Ughievwen monarchs and their kingdoms.

  • Oyo monarchs in battle for supremacy

    The rivalry between the Onijeru of Ijeruland, Oba Olaniyi Popoola, and the Onipetu of Ijeru, Oba Oladapo Oyediran 11, in Oyo State resurfaced yesterday as the former said the Onipetu has no right to claim Ijeru as his domain.

    The monarchs have been fighting for the control of Ijeru.

    Oba Popoola said the disagreement started 27 years ago and Ijeru people sued the former Onipetu,the late Oba Atobatele Mosobalaje.

    He said: “A judgment was delivered at the Ogbomoso High Court by the late Justice Ayorinde of blessed memory in April 24, 1987, in the Onijeru’s favour. The Onipetu appealed the judgment. Two kings died on the throne during that period but the appeal was struck out around 2,000 or there about.

    “Ijeruland was established in 1614 by a great hunter, Ohunsile, who migrated from Ile-Ife to Ota, when he had a chieftaincy dispute with his brother. The issue was taken to Oyo and the case was ruled in favour of his younger brother. This annoyed him and he left the place for Oyo.

    “Ijeru’s boundary starts from Laka Elepo, from that bridge to Temidire in Ogo Oluwa area. We have expanded greatly. In those days when we used to have Fulani wars, about 142 settlements and villages ran to Ogbomoso for safety, including the Onipetu family, because those who established Ogbomoso were warriors.

    “All the other people have left for their homestead, but the Onipetu family refused to leave because they were being over-pampered here in Ijeru. The late Premier of the Western Region, Chief Ladoke Akintola, gave them political power and told them not to leave, forgetting that the truth will prevail some day.

    “There is no controversy about who owns Ijeruland. It belongs to the Onijeru and nobody else has the right to lay claim to what belong to us. The problem is that our government does not have respect for tradition and the rule of law, because it appoints judges, attorney-general and others, who give judgment in court cases without abiding by it.

    “The Onijeru is recognised by the court as the authentic ruler of the domain. We have a court judgment in our favour.”

    Oba Popoola urged the government to reconsider the status of the Onijeru in the traditional rulers’ council.

    Oba Oyediran said the Onijeru was trying to distort history.

    He said: “When Ohunsile, their ancestor, came from Oyo, he met some people here. Let the Onijeru tell the world who he met in that place and who gave him the land they settled on? They claimed they did not settle on Olugbon’s, Aresa’s or Onikoyi’s land, so who gave Ohunsile the land? I will be pleased if they can answer this question?”

    On the purported court judgment, he said: “It was a chieftaincy matter and I can show you a copy of the judgment. We appealed it and their lawyer withdrew the case because both the complainant and the defendant were dead.”

  • Southsouth, Southeast monarchs unite for Jonathan

    Southsouth, Southeast monarchs unite for Jonathan

    • Rulers forum inaugurated in Yenagoa

    Traditional rulers from the Southsouth and Southeast yesterday backed the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The monarchs also said they would support the President’s second term ambition in 2015.

    They spoke at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, during the inauguration of the Southsouth and Southeast Traditional Rulers Forum.

    According to them, Jonathan had provided effective leadership despite the challenges confronting the country.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and Gbong Gwom, Jos, Da Buba Gyang described him as one of the best leaders to have ruled the country.

    Oba Sijuwade, who was represented by the General-Secretary of the Council of Yoruba Monarchs, Oba Aderemi Adedapo. said: “Dr. Jonathan’s emergence as President was a fulfilment of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s prediction that an Ijaw man would rule this country some day in the future.

    “We thank God today that we have an Ijaw son as a good and great leader of this country. If you were there on May 29, 2013 in Abuja where I was representing the Southwest, you will agree with me that this man (Jonathan) has surpassed many leaders we have ever had in this country.

    “I am not a politician, I’m a traditional ruler. We thank God for giving us this President at this point in this country.”

    A business mogul and politician, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu called on Nigerians to give Jonathan a second chance.

    He claimed that there was no time the President pledged to serve a single term.

    Iwuanyanwu said: “Today, I have gone round everywhere in this country and I feel a sense of joy and happiness that Jonathan has not disappointed us. He has done well.

    “However, I am surprised to hear some people in some circles talking about four years’ tenure when our Constitution allows him to run for eight years, if he wishes to do so.

    “Some people even say there is an agreement to that effect, but I am telling you royal fathers, that there was no such agreement”.

    But Gyang urged political class to give constitutional role to traditional rulers to enable them contribute to decision-making.

    He said: “Let me say with humility that the traditional institution in Nigeria is not asking for any executive powers that will bring us at loggerheads with constituted and elected democratic rulers.

    “We are asking for recognition for the obvious reason that governance itself today requires the role and input of the traditional institution.

    Besides, the Chairman, Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers, Cletus Ilomuanya, noted that the two geopolitical zones share common heritage.

    “Historically, we are one people of the same lineage but for political expediency and administrative convenience, we now pretend to be people from two different zones of Southsouth and Southeast.

    “Therefore, it is one of the aims of the Southsouth and Southeast Traditional rulers to re-orientate and galvanise our people to begin to think and act as people of one cultural and traditional identity.

    At the meeting were the Sultan of Sokoto, represented by the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar El-Kanemi, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Nnachi Enwo-Igariwey and former Governors of Bayelsa and Imo states, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and Ikedi Ohakim.

    They all expressed delight at the formation of the Forum, stressing that it would cement the bond of unity between the zones and promote stability in the country.

    Addressing the forum, Jonathan lauded traditional rulers across the country for complementing government’s efforts, especially in the maintenance of peace and order in their respective domains.

    Jonathan, who was represented by Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, urged them to partner stakeholders in the ongoing effort to build an egalitarian and prosperous Nigeria.

    He said:“Traditional rulers occupy a special place in our system. It was so before in the days of our forefathers and it is so up till now and will continue to be.

    “You are the critical link between our cherished history and past. You have a duty which of course, you are doing well to maintain our values, traditions and cultures.

    “And hopefully, working together with other stakeholders, we believe that you will also successfully transfer these same values to the future generation of our people.

    “I thank you all for the support that you have been giving to those of us, who are in secular leadership because you cannot talk of mobilising and influencing our people positively and even maintain law and order without the role of traditional rulers.

    However, Dickson advocated the need for the political class to support traditional rulers to enable them perform their duties effectively.”

     

  • Imo Bishop saga: Monarchs plead caution

    Traditional rulers from Mbaise Council Area of Imo State, at the weekend absolved themselves from the crisis that rocked the Ahiara Catholic Diocese following the appointment and consecration of Monsignor Peter Ebere Okpaleke as the Bishop of the Ahiara Catholic Diocese.

    It will be recalled that the newly ordained bishop whose appointment sparked off crisis in the diocese was locked out by aggrieved priests and lay faithful who insisted that an indigene of Mbaise be appointed the bishop.

    The monarchs urged the priests and laity faithful of the diocese to sheath their swords and embrace the new bishop in line with the directives of the Vatican to move the diocese forward.

    The Chairman of the Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Chidume Okoro, while unfolding preparations, regretted that the lingering opposition by both the priests and the laity faithful of the diocese against Okpaleke has adversely portrayed Mbaise as a hostile community that does not tolerate strangers.

     

  • Osun gathers Yoruba monarchs for maiden Oodua Children’s Day

    Osun gathers Yoruba monarchs for maiden Oodua Children’s Day

    Over 50 royal fathers from various Yoruba-speaking communities and cities across Africa yesterday converged on Osogbo, the Osun State capital, for a unique celebration of the maiden Oodua World Children’s Day.

    The Oodua World Children’s Day is Osun State’s initiative aimed at bringing together children from Yoruba-speaking communities to revive the cultural values of the Yoruba race in the youths.

    Governor Rauf Aregbesola said the Yoruba cultural integration can only be meaningful if children, who will carry on the culture, are properly socialised into it with the right inculcation of values.

    His address, entitled: Towards Global Yoruba Integration, was delivered at the Osogbo City Stadium, the state capital, where the colourful event was held. The event, which was to commemorate Children’s Day, was attended by eminent Yoruba personalities and selected children from Ekiti (100), Ondo (83), Ogun (100), Oyo (100), Lagos (100), Kwara (50), Kogi (50) and Edo (25). Delta State as well as other West African countries of Benin, Togo, Ghana and Sierra Leone; South American countries of Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Cuba; the Caribbean and the United States were well represented at the event.

    Aregbesola explained that the promotion of the Omoluabi ethos in Osun State is aimed at re-awakening the cultural and value consciousness of the people to make them realise the beauty of Yoruba virtues and give them a sense of pride in their culture.

    He said: “We are of the conviction that the realisation of the socio-cultural and economic integration of the Yoruba race can be greatly enhanced by imparting that vision into our children.

    “Indeed, such a cultural renaissance agenda cannot succeed without including the children, for they are a key factor in its success.”

    The governor stressed that among the various programmes being implemented in Osun, education will be the best.

    Aregbesola said his administration has begun the most ambitious projects in education.

    He said: “The schools we are building are state-of-the-art with modern learning infrastructure. They have sprung up everywhere and will be ready in the shortest possible time. We are feeding our children with nutritious meals everyday. This is because of the realisation that it is only a well-fed child that can muster the mental capability to learn.

    “We have also provided free uniform to our school children. Next week, by the grace of the Almighty, we shall begin distributing Opon Imo to all senior secondary pupils in the state. This is the first of its kind in any part of the world.”

    The governor stressed that the Yoruba race constitutes a significant part of the global population, with civilised and dynamic culture as well as the potential to become a powerful force in the world, if it gets its acts together and forge a common and united front.

    He added: “We can begin right from here, the cradle of the Yoruba race, to plant the seed that may germinate into something that will in time surpass the wildest dream of the brains behind the idea.”

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, described the trans-state Children’s Day as a unique event that must be sustained for the progress of Yoruba nation.

    The Oyo monarch, who was flanked by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, in a single outing for the first in many years, said the Yoruba people need to come together for the benefit of the race.

    He noted that Yoruba monarchs and those in the Diaspora have once again united for the progress of the Black Race.

    Pigeons were released as a symbol of unity among Yoruba rulers across the globe.

  • Rep, monarchs parley for development

    A member of the House of Representatives, Hon Bamidele Faparusi, has assured that he would continue to devise ways of meaningfully engaging youths and women in his constituency to arrest criminal tendencies.

    Faparusi, an engineer, said he brought Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centres to three major towns in the constituency to expose youths to various opportunities in their domains.

    The lawmaker, who represents Ekiti South Federal Constituency 11, comprising Gbonyin/Ekiti East/Emure Local Government Areas, frowned at the rate at which youths engage in cyber crimes, which he said, is inimical to the country’s image.

    He spoke at Omuo Ekiti while inspecting some constituency projects in his domain.

    Some of the projects include: Three 50-capacity ICT centres, each at Emure, Ode and Ilasa; a modern library at Omuo, and electricity projects in two other notable towns. All, he said, would gulp N312 million as contained in the 2012 Budget.

    Faparusi visited the palaces of Olomuo of Omuo Ekiti, Oba Noah Omonigbehin; Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo and the Olode of Ode Ekiti, where the monarchs praised him for being serviceable.

    The lawmaker assured that all the projects billed for execution during his tenure would be done through local experts, particularly from the constituency.

    He said the House of Representatives would soon enact a law that would make it difficult for Nigerians to engage in cyber crimes, adding that a committee had been set up to fine-tune arrangements on the passage of such a bill into law.

    He said measures would be put in place to ensure that youths are not allowed to use the ICT centres to perpetrate frauds that could further damage the image of the country.

    The lawmaker said he decided to upgrade the library at Omuo with modern facilities to improve reading culture among youths in the town.

    He explained: “We are now in the world of ICT. It is now possible for students to acquire foreign certificates. You can study in any foreign university without necessarily going to that country. They can also explore job opportunities. So, the benefits of ICT are not quantifiable.”

    Faparusi, a chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), urged the host communities to assume ownership of the projects for the contractors handling them to deliver qualitative jobs.

    He said he had discussed with the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on the Omuo-Isinbode-Ode-Agbado Road, adding that the government had awarded the contract for the project, which he assured, would be delivered soon.

    Oba Adebayo lauded Faparusi over the projects, urging him to rescue the town from its perpetual land dispute with the people of Supare-Akoko in Ondo State.

  • Monarchs back varsity

    Monarchs back varsity

    Four of the five monarchs in Egbaland in Abeokuta, Ogun State have spoken in support of turning the FUNAAB into a conventional university, where Medicine, Law, Education and other courses.

    They spoke when members of the new Governing Council led by Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe visited them.

    They are: The Osile of Oke-Ona, Egba, Oba Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso; The Agura of Gbagura, Oba Halidu Adedayo Laloko; The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Dr.) Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu; and the Olubara of Ibara, Oba Jacob Olufemi Omolade.

    While Oba Tejuoso said said the new Federal Medical Centre (FMC), at Idi-Aba, would make a Medical School a reality, Oba Laloko said with Gbagura owning 95 per cent of the university’s land, he would be happy to support an expansion.

    Oba Dosunmu noted that conventional status would enable the university to admit more students, while Oba Omolade, affirmed the Yoruba people’s appreciation of good education.

    All the monarchs expressed their confidence that the new Council would achieve even greater heights than the past Councils because its experienced and highly intelligent members.

    The Pro-Chancellor said the visit was to solicit the support of the monarchs and their people to contribute to FUNAAB’s growth.

  • Akure monarchs defy Deji

    •Say ‘only Mimiko can depose us’

    Some monarchs in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State yesterday flouted the order of Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, who deposed them.

    Oba Adesida was allegedly aggrieved because the affected Obas did not get his blessings before they accepted appointments into positions.

    But the monarchs insisted that they would remain on the throne notwithstanding their deposition by the Deji-in-Council

    They argued that they were appointed by the prescribed authorities in the local government area, stressing that only the authorities can dethrone them.

    According to the Olu of Alayere, Prince Adeniran Aladetoyinbo, who spoke on behalf of the other Obas, only the person who appointed them has the right to sack them, noting that their domain is not in Akure South but in Akure North.

    Oba Adesida, who is a paramount ruler in Akure kingdom, has ordered the deposition of the monarchs in his domain, for not getting his nod before they took up appointments.

    He maintained that the Aladeyede Ogbese and others have been elevated to the status of an Oba but that the elevation does not confer authority beyond his territory on him.

    Aladetoyinbo, however, said the prescribed authorities in Akure North are the Alayede Ogbese, Oloba of Oba-Ile, Okiti of Iju and Ogbolu of Ita-Ogbolu, without Deji, who is from Akure South Local Government Area.

    According to him, the prescribed authorities have given them letters of recognition and no other person could withdraw it.

    Aladetoyinbo said only the state governor, (Dr. Olusegun Mimiko), who is the consenting authority and who appoints and gives staff of office and instrument of office to any monarch, has the right to depose erring royal fathers.

    The monarch contended that by virtue of the Land Use Decree of 1978, all lands belong to the government and only it can revoke the certificate of occupancy and not any first class monarch.

    He said they would remain in their palaces in defiance of Deji’s directive.

    Aladetoyinbo argued that the Deji of Akure have no power to dethrone them

     

  • Park with forbidden river for monarchs

    The Old Oyo National Park is fast becoming a tourist destination in Oyo State. The park takes its name from Oyo-Ile (Old Oyo), the ancient political capital of Oyo Empire; it contains the ruins of the city. History has it that Oyo-Ile was destroyed in the late 18th Century by Ilorin and Hausa/Fulani warriors. One of the main objectives of creating the park is to preserve and manage these anthropogenic resources in the abandoned ruins/sites of the former capital city of Oyo-Ile.

    The park has archaeological, cultural and historical sites dotted in and around it. These features stand it out considering its dual-prospect of archaeological and historical heritage. The park is not just about wildlife.

    One of the historical sites is the River Ogun. The river seems to have a cultural and historic role to play in the area. According to the Director and Conservator of the Park, Mallam Ibrahim Goni, the river flows through the park and drains into the Atlantic Ocean, breaking into pools during the dry season to form what is called the Ibuya Pools. The pools, Goni said, are “believed to have healing powers on Fridays, if and when a sick person takes his/her bath in it.”

    The river has since become a myth. According to a myths, it is forbidden for a traditional ruler in Oke-Ogun Area. During a visit to the site, it was like one was back in time to one of those moonlight stories that are gradually becoming extinct in the fast-paced contemporary African age.

    Assuming the toga of an ancient storyteller, the director takes the visitor into the historical myth. “The story had it that Ogun was a woman and wife of the Okere of Saki ,” he began. “The Okere of Saki was a powerful ruler. He had one spiritual dress that he used for his protection and strength during wars or attacks. This dress must not be beaten by rain or touched by a woman. This, the traditional ruler, warned his wives seriously not in any day take or touch the dress.

    But on this fateful day, the Okere went to the farm and he spread the dress outside in the sun to dry. There was a cloud forming threatening to rain. This fact troubled Ogun, his wife because she did not want her husband to lose his spiritual powers. So, she summoned courage to look for a stick which she used to pick the dress from outside and brought it into the house”.

    Goni explained that the Okere was also sensitive to the threatening rain. So, he left everything he was doing in the farm and rushed home, adding that when he got home, he found out that the dress had been removed from where he had spread it. Fuming with anger, he found out that Ogun the wife had taken it in.

    “He was terribly annoyed with the wife without allowing her to explain. The wife (Ogun) had abnormal breasts which she had warned her husband (Okere) not to abuse her with it no matter the degree of his annoyance towards her. But that day, he insulted her with it. You see, Ogun was equally powerful. She had a pot containing herbs which she used for her protection.

    “She too got annoyed with her husband (Okere). She carried her pot of power and ran away to the bush. Okere pursued her and when he got hold of her, they both struggled together. In the process the pot fell and broke at a point, which is believed to be called Oyo-Igboho. The content in the pot flowed out and was believed to become what is now called River Ogun today. The River Ogun (where the goddess of Ogun, wife of Okere was alleged to inhabit) remains the source of River Ogun at Oyo-Igboho. Since then, the Okere of Saki is said to be forbidden to see the river face-to-face. Hence, he must cover his face with a veil, if he has to cross or pass through the river.”

    He said the historic and mythical story surrounding the park has impacted on its image. Other interesting sites also stand it among other parks. We are always ready to receive visitors,” he said.