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Tag: Oluwo of Iwoland

  • ‘Oluwo needs to relearn Yoruba history’

    ‘Oluwo needs to relearn Yoruba history’

    The International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) has said the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi needs to relearn Yoruba history to avail himself and his chiefs real story behind evolvement of culture, tradition and religion of Yoruba people.

    ICIR said this in reaction to a statement credited to the palace of Oluwo of Iwo, saying idol worshipping is not in Yoruba culture.

    A statement by ICIR President, Dr. Fayemi Fakayode lamented that it is unfortunate that the monarch, who supposed to be a custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition have turned to a foot soldier of foreign culture while denigrating and demonizing his own Yoruba tradition.

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    He said, “We advise Oluwo’s chief to do away with fabrications aimed at rewriting Yoruba History to favour their agenda. They should open their minds to the true history of tradition of the Yoruba.

    “It is unfortunate that people who are supposed to be custodians of the culture and tradition of a race are becoming soldiers of another race at the expense of their own race.”

    In his reaction, an Iwo Chief, who is the Gbobaniyi of Iwoland, Chief Abdulrosheed Jeleel said, “ICIR are just trying to use Yoruba culture to promote their own religion, they should try and distinguish between the two, a reasonable Yoruba people will not accept that because the two are parallel line that should not meet, Ifa religion is not only limited to Yorubaland.”

     It is like Oluwo is propagating arabian culture and demonizing Yoruba tradition and religion. Nobody can separate Òrìṣà worship from Yorùbá culture and tradition and vice versa because, they are products of each other.

    “It is our tradition to reach Olodumare through the Òrìṣà. We worship Orisa and the Orisa are not idols. It is worshipping Olodumare through a foreign deity that is idol worshipping.

    “It is hypocracy when somebody practices  a foreign religion together with the other aspects of the culture of the foreign race including language and mode of dressing and the same person is trying to separate religion of his own race from other aspects of the race’s culture.

    “There is freedom of religion. However, is like the current Oluwo and his emissaries are blind to the fact that they are trampling on the religious freedom of the traditionalists.”

    The body advised the monarch to face whatever religion he chose to practice and stop talking negatively about Isese religion, especially as there is freedom of religion in Nigerian constitution.

    “We once again advise the current Oluwo to practice his arabian culture, tradition and religion without denigrating Yoruba Indigenous Religion and culture.”

  • Oluwo debunks Igbo’s claim on Oduduwa

    OLUWO of Iwoland Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I has debunked the claim that Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race, was the last born of an Igbo prince.

    Reacting to Ohaneze Ndigbo’s counter claim to a statement by Ooni of Ife Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II that Igbo community originated from Ile-Ife, the Oluwo insisted that the alleged claim by Ohaneze Ndigbo was not correct and, therefore, cannot be true.

    The Ohaneze Ndigbo had claimed that “Odudunwa (last born), later called Oduduwa was an Igbo prince, who occupied Ile-Ife, but the Yoruba saw him as a god because he was very powerful and had magical powers”.

    “The Yoruba learnt and spoke Igbo language then and that is the reason for the similarity between Igbo and Yoruba language,” the Igbo cultural group said.

    But, in a statement by his media aide, Ali Ibrahim, Oba Akanbi described the claim as unfounded, false and misleading to “the stalwarts of history”.

    The first class Yoruba traditional ruler advised the Igbo people to further their research on the adventure of their “own Oduduwa”, instead of demeaning the status of the founder of the Yoruba race, “our own source and rallying point”.

    The traditional ruler, who noted that the record must be set straight and controversies laid to rest, said: “Yoruba nation was founded by Oduduwa. Oduduwa brought the first civilisation, which is the crown. Oduduwa demonstrated an unequalled, peculiar, unparalleled, unmatched, quintessential and different leadership.

    “He served his people and became a rallying point for his services to humanity. He gave us the best tradition, so respectful and obedience. Rich, very beautiful and unblemished Yoruba culture emanated from Oduduwa.”

  • Oluwo to Igbo: don’t betray Yoruba’s trust, love

    Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, has charged the Igbos resident in the state not to betray the trust and love of the Yoruba for them.

    Reminding them of the strategic position of Lagos to the national economy, he said the Igbo should recognise the leadership structure established by the  All Progressives Congress stalwart,  Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, since 1999, which, according to him, was beneficial to all residents of Lagos, irrespective of their ethnicities, religions and political affiliations.

    The Oluwo, who spoke with reporters in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, condemned the recent political ethnic division being promoted by some politicians in Lagos State.

    He noted that it was barbaric to trade national unity for politics.

    Oba Akanbi acknowledged the performance of Lagos State government and the  socio-economic status of the state from successive administrations since Tinubu’s  tenure in 1999.

    According to the first class Yoruba monarch, Tinubu as a visionary and courageous political leader  with a high sense of mission has repositioned Lagos for great performance and future advancement.

    Oba Akanbi maintained that as “Nigeria’s number one unifying force, no other individual has sustained the national unity agenda and political structure like Tinubu”.

    The Oluwo said, as a royal father, he has adopted a cross-cultural posture for national integration and unity since he came on the throne.

    He, therefore, described the recent political statements designed to breach the peaceful coexistence in Lagos as unpatriotic.

    He advised the Igbo community in Lagos to identify with Tinubu’s political leadership structure, which “he established since 1999  for the collective interest of Nigeria and Nigerians”.

     

  • Slave trade: Oluwo apologises on behalf ancient kings

    The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, has tendered unreserved apology, on behalf of ancient kings, to the past and existing victims of slave trade in Sub-Saharan Africa and across the atlantic oceans.

    A first class and natural Yoruba traditional ruler said now is the time to apologize because of the participation of the crowns in the bizarre and inhuman enterperise.

    In a statement by its Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, the Oluwo regretted involvement of traditional institution in selling the blacks to slavery for minute gifts like hot drinks, cigarettes, gun bullets among others.

    Describing slave trade on African soil as very costly mistakes on the part of the ancient monarchs on whom the people looked up to for their security and decent living, Oba Akanbi said apologizing for wrong of the past is an affirmation of readiness to make progress and move away from the evils and things that still tie us to the bizarre past.”

    According to him, tendering apologies on behalf of the ancient kings and the traditional telling “our children about our roles during slave trade era” would go a long way in assuaging the pains and remove the low esteem of the victims.

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    In the statement, Oba Akanbi said: “I regret the involvement of traditional institution in slave trade. Monarchs were one of the stakeholders that promoted the ignoble trade. We sold our children for wall clocks, tobacco, alcohol, guns, glass cup, wine, necklace, food plate, sweet among others for which today many black Africans are permanently  suffering stigmatization and unfair treatment till date.

    “So, I am taking the bull by the horn to apologize for the role kingship played in slave trade because of material objects. Many black Americans are yet to recover from the wound of slavery. I am apologizing to the accidental blacks in Cuba, Brazil, Caribeans, America and other parts of the world. I want the victims to accept our apologies and regret for the past deeds and collaboration of the ancient kings so that we move forward as a race.

    “White men never forced us to sell our children as slaves. Our fathers voluntarily released their children on excitement to receive peanut. Then, there was no means of payment. Human were offered in exchange for glittering material gifts. Such ignorance shouldn’t have survived without  monarchs consent, who by then were the heads. So, as a paramount and natural ruler I am taking the lead to tender our apologies.

    The Oluwo, who took a cue from President Mohammadu Buhari’s apology to Nigerians and the family of the winner of the annuled June 12, 1993 presidential election, late Chief M.K.O Abiola, pointed out that admittance of past ills of the office is one of the qualities of a good leader.

    The foremost Yoruba monarch called for a collaborative efforrs among key stakeholders in curtailing the evil and survival of modern slavery in Nigeria.

    Condemning frequent reported cases of  loss to lives of many Africans, including Nigerians on the seas of Libya, he warned against modern day slave trade in the  form of.human trafficking.

    Oba Akanbi, tasked the Federal Government to ensure there is a strict penalty for whoever engage in human trafficking.

  • I’ve been living with diabetes for over 30 years – Obasanjo

    I’ve been living with diabetes for over 30 years – Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday morning led hundreds of people on road walk   for diabetes awareness in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, declaring that he still walk with agility at 80, despite being diabetic.

    Obasanjo revealed that he was diagnosed of diabetes over 30 years ago but said the condition has not affected his daily functions because of efficient management of it, exercise and strict adherence to prescribed drugs for Diabetes.

    The Ebora Owu who made this known to journalists in Abeokuta, shortly after completing a kilometer walk uphill along Abiola Way, recalled that his primary school Headmaster was also diagnosed of diabetes at 50 but managed to live up to 85 years, following proper management of the ailment.

    According to him, diabetes does not kill if well managed, but only bares its fangs and kills those who do not give a damn about it.

    Obasanjo who was joined in the road walk by the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba AbdulRasheed  Akanbi from Osun State,  the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, and members of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN), lamented that many of the nation’s youth rarely exercise to remain fit.

    He urged Nigerians, particularly those living with diabetes, to engage in regular exercise, use prescribed drugs faithfully and watch their diet  to avoid being knocked down by diabetic disease.

    “Diabetes is not a disease that should kill, I was diagnosed to be diabetic more than 30 years ago but rather, I am growing strong, if you don’t believe I am growing strong and you didn’t witness this walk, come and see me at night, you will know I am growing strong, come and see me in the morning, you will know I am growing, even in the afternoon, you will know I am growing strong.

    “What is necessary is a management of diabetes. Some people said some diseases are incurable, but diabetes is manageable and compliant.

    “My headmaster in primary school was diagnosed at the age of 50 and died at age 85, you will agree with he tried.

    “What to do is that if you’re diabetic don’t be nonchalant about it and don’t eat carelessly. Three things are important, the food you eat, regular exercise and prescribed medication, those are the three most important things.

    “You can be diabetic and still lives till 100, I don’t know when I would die but I am above 80 and many of the youth could not catch up with my pace during  the exercise this morning, many of them were running to keep pace me.

    “This is my message. Whether you’re diabetic or you have a family or friend with diabetic, diabetes is not a killer disease or it should not be a killer disease unless you are careless,” Obasanjo said.

    Also, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi he was in Abeokuta to support the ex – President and his foundation in the walk for Diabetes awareness, and urge people to exercise regularly and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation (OOF), Dr. Olalekan Makinde, said the Foundation has interest in Health of people particularly giving awareness to  Non – communicable Disease (NCD).

    “The focus this year is on women, because of the high level of morbidity and mortality that has been related to them. I want to enjoin Nigerians to join hands with the Foundation to further create a better life for all Nigerians and Africans,” Makinde said.

    The about two kilometre walk which began at the Marque within the sprawling Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library(OOPL), Abeokuta, coursed through MKO Abiola Way and had 15 minutes stop – over at the premises Sunny Yinka Oil on same before turning to end it at the take off point.

    The road walk was organized by the Southwest zone of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) in collaboration with the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation (OOF) to mark the year edition of the World Diabetes Day(WDD).

    In a lecture titled: “Women and Diabetic: Our Right to Healthy Living,” former chairman of DAN, Prof. Sunny Chieneye called for concerted efforts to check the menace of diabetes.

  • Traditional ruler to pay fines for five inmates

    Traditional ruler to pay fines for five inmates

    • Admonishes public not to stigmatise ex-convicts

    The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, Ilufemiloye Telu I, on Thursday offered to pay the fines of five inmates of the Nigerian Prisons Service in Ilesa, Osun State.

    Our correspondence gathered that the inmates have continued to be in prison custody for failure to pay an option of fines imposed on them by the courts.

    Oba Akanbi made the offer during his visit to the prison in Ilesa, where there are 582 inmates out of which 454 are awaiting trial.

    The traditional ruler, who made a donation of cow and cash to the prison service for the upkeep of the inmates, passionately appealed to the state Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Adepele-Ojo, to look into the cases of those awaiting trial, many of whom had spent between two to twenty years behind bars.

    Disclosing that his mission was to have first hand experience of the situation behind the wall of prisons and see areas he could intervene, the Oluwo said he was identifying with the inmates to give them hope and reasons to believe their lives could still serve good purposes.

    The monarch also admonished members of the society to stop stigmatising ex-convicts and to make sure they are supported during their reformation, reintegration programmes for the society to be a good place for everyone.

    While exchanging handshakes with some of the inmates, Oba Akanbi enjoined them to change from their bad ways and make sure they contribute to the peace and development of the nation.

    He also appealed to the government to improve the facilities in the prison that have been built since 1900, adding that the prison environment, looking ancient, needed “serious rehabilation.”

    Responding, some of the inmates said they were surprised by the monarch’s visit which they described as unprecedented, therefore promising to be of good behaviour during and after their jail terms.

    They pleaded with the state government to grant those with good conduct state pardon while commending the officials of the prison for doing their best to better the lot of the inmates.

    Also, the officer in charge of the Prison, who is a Deputy Comptroller, Mr. Ope Fanmikun, disclosed that his men face huge challenges, conveying 454 inmates for trial daily in 72 courts across the state.

    “We take the inmates to court with just four vehicles. The newest of these vehicles was given to the prison four years ago. Presenting the inmates for trial has been difficult so we are calling on well meaning Nigerians to come to our aid,” he lamented.

    According to him, the prison needs at least 20 vehicles, medical facilities and consumables, adding that some of the inmates that were supposed to be referred for further treatment in more advanced facilities could not do so because of unavailability of funds.