By ADEOLA SOETAN
Yes, I agree with our decent Kabiyesi, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo. The advocates of more recognition to SODEKE the founder of Abeokuta, particularly some Sodeke’s descendants shouldn’t start their good advocacy which I personally support, with anything to undermine the historic indelible contributions of the Great Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, the liberator and Baba Egba.
Such a campaign shouldn’t be antagonistic in whatever form to the current mood, honour and annual celebration Lisabi deserved. It should be complementary and complimentary with a major focus to ignite the consciousness of the Egbas to the remarkable and unforgettable historic role of Sodeke.
It’s uncharitable for anyone to claim that without SODEKE there won’t be Olumo Rock. It can also be said that without Lisabi who mobilised the Egbas against Alaafin Oyo war bandits, there wouldn’t have been a SODEKE to lead a liberated Egbas after many years to Olumo Rock settlement as directed by Ifa Olokun divination. Asking for Lisabi’s family house in Abeokuta, and claiming that Igbo Lisabi (Lisabi fortress) where Egbas visit annually to honour Lisabi is a farce because Lisabi never stepped into the present Egbaland, not to talk of “entering the soil” there, is irrelevant to the campaign for more recognition to SODEKE.
Many historical monuments worldwide are symbolic. The current Israel is not the original Israel. The current Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth and Judea are not the biblical ones, yet millions of Christians do kurukere kurukere pilgrimage annually to the places for symbolism. Same with the Kabba in Mecca not in its original form, yet millions of Muslims embark on annual kurukere kurukere pilgrimage. Birikisu Sugbon shrine at Oke Eri near Ijebu ode where they claimed that Birikisu Sugbon was Queen of Sheba and died, is still debatable. Same with Opa Oranminyan in Ile Ife not the old one in its forms.
How many kings in Yorubaland can beat their chests that the crowns on their heads are the real original traditional crowns (Ade Isembaye) of their ancestors after the British colonial bandits had stolen many original crowns. Most religious or historical places, monuments, names are mere symbolism, a link to our history, tradition and culture.
Kabiyesi!!! Despite all these unnecessary distractions on the campaign for more recognition for SODEKE, His Highness, Kabiyesi, Alake of Egbaland should please find a space in his royal heart to accommodate the advocacy for more recognition to SODEKE and make it possible. It will be remarkable and unforgettable achievement that during your reign, Sodeke gets his right of place in the history and development of Egbaland. Kabiyesi!!!.
*Pa Soetan (08037207856)
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