My friend, Laresco, recently recounted how his mother specialized in taking difficult delivery of babies just by preparing “agbo” for the pregnant women to drink. My grandmother had specific periods of the day to go fetch this or that herb, and the words to speak before, during, and after harvesting the leaves, roots or barks of trees. We lost that knowledge or power because my mother had no time or inclination to learn it from her own mother. We have lost much of our traditional cuisines, religion, culture, ways of dressing and ways of life. We have lost our traditions, dances, music, and education. We have even lost our language and land. Yoruba land today swarms with other ethnic groups not just competing with us but also contesting the ownership of our land with us! Something you dare not try on their own land!

The blame for the Iseyin incident must be partly shared by the governor who invited the former president-turned village headmaster: “E dide! E joko!”

The Yoruba are one ethnic group that has no regard for the sanctity of their land. They exhume their parents’ corpses buried on the land and sell the land! Because we are the ones mostly affected by the “japa” syndrome, our towns and villages are desolate of natives and it is a matter of time before Yoruba land is completely taken over by foreigners. And Yoruba Obas are not exempted from the dangerous trend of indiscriminate selling of Yoruba land. In fact, the allure for many of those who fight tooth-and-nail to ascend to the throne is the opportunity to sell land and get rich overnight. Like the biblical, despised Samaritans, some Yoruba Obas dilute; nay, pollute the “blue blood” running in their veins by marrying foreigners as well as desecrating the throne in many other villainous ways!

The unbridled love of money (which the scriptures say is the root of evil), Western religion and “civilization” (which have eroded our traditional religion and values), and the destruction of our traditional system of government by the colonial powers and its replacement with the Western-styled democratic system of government are some of the reasons why birds no longer chirp as birds and rats do not squeak as rats in the Yoruba traditional setting. The story is told of two Yoruba Obas whose people fought wars and elders came together to make peace between both. Peace made, each time the senior Oba stretched forward his hand for a handshake, the lesser Oba prostrated instead of reaching out and taking the outstretched hand. Asked why, the lesser Oba was reported as saying: “You saw a hand stretched forward for a handshake but I saw the head of a viper!” The story is also told of another Oba who, once he placed a curse, it was like the heavens had spoken! It is possible that we still have such Obas in Yoruba land. It is even possible that some of those drilled by a former president at Iseyin the other day possess such powers but the element of surprise, which the former army General sprung on them, might have unhinged them. Surprise is a very potent strategy in warfare.

READ ALSO: Now that the Ministers are empanelled… By Bola Bolawole

Should we expect present-day Yoruba Obas to be as mystically or spiritually endowed as the Obas of old? The answer is yes, when occasion demands. Why should kidnappers enter a palace and kidnap Obas and their Oloris (wives)? Why should Obas fall to the bullets of assassins, kidnappers and bandits? Where is “afeeri” and “egbe” of yore? Why should an errant and loquacious ex-this, ex-that not be taught the lesson of his life, even if not as sweeping as the one the Alafin taught Bode Thomas? Such extraordinary powers must, however, not be put to oppressive and tyrannical use. Like we said here last week, this is the age of fundamental human rights and not that of the divine right of kings.

The Oyo State governor procured the agent provocateur who scattered ground, as they say, at Iseyin. At what cost, if I may ask, and for what purpose? Was the governor privy to what his guest did at Iseyin or was he also taken aback? That he has kept mute since the incident happened may or may not mean that he has not moved behind the scene to offer the needed apologies and calm frayed nerves, regardless of the fact that his guest, like a stubborn goat, has remained recalcitrant. True, then, is the saying that those whom the gods will destroy, they first make deaf. The dog that is destined to get lost in the forest will not listen to the hunter’s whistle. All said and done, history has been made and there is no way the Oyo State governor can wash himself clean of the mess at Iseyin. Each time the incident is mentioned; he, too, will be named for, as my people would say, when a tortoise is mentioned, the forest from which it was picked will also be mentioned.

The blame for the Iseyin incident must be partly shared by the governor who invited the former president-turned village headmaster: “E dide! E joko!” Some reports said the governor must have intimated the ex-president with his grievances and grouse of lack of electoral support against the Obas. And the latter, reeking with rage that his candidate in the Saturday, 25 February, 2023 presidential election was resoundingly rejected at Oke-Ogun, must have seized with both hands the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Besides, the former president is alleged not to be a full-blooded Yoruba son; he has also persistently been castigated for having not benefited the Yoruba either as military Head of State or as civilian president.

The Obas, on the other hand, have been lambasted for obeying the orders barked at them by the ex-president like frightened school children, looking, thereafter, like rain-soaked chicks! But we would be harsh on them if we continue to arrogate unto them powers, authority and influence they lost decades ago. The Obas of today and the traditional institution they represent are mere relics of the past. Effective power and authority reside with the government which appoints and can dis-appoint any Oba. Under the law, Obas without an exception are under the authority and control of local government chairmen who, in turn and in actual fact, are appointees/errand boys of state governors. The Obas and their chiefs are allocated a certain percentage of the funds accruing to their local government. So, he who pays the piper dictates the tune. The Obas must design a way to be financially independent of government funding before they can lay any claim to being outside of the control of a LG chairman, not to talk of a state governor. The 1999 Constitution (as amended) must also be amended to give the Obas the teeth to bite.

Today’s Obas are caricatures of their former selves not only in Yoruba land but all over the country. The Constitution of the country has no special dignified and constitutionally-guaranteed role for them.

Truth be told, how many of today’s Obas are the rightful occupant of the throne on which they perch? These days, not only politicians but also Obas have godfathers! These days, not only political godsons but also princes eyeing the throne are dragged before shrines to swear oaths of allegiance! These days not only political offices but also traditional stools are sold and bought. The highest bidder, and not Ifa oracle, has the last say these days! Everywhere: Lagos, Ife, Ibadan, my dear Ondo state, the traditional institution has been desecrated via so-called modernization; everyone wants to wear beaded crowns; Baales want to be promoted to Obas and Obas want to be upgraded – by who? Is it not by the same political office holders? The greatest offence anyone can commit to any Oba is not to know the grade difference between His Royal Majesty, His Royal Highness, His Imperial Majesty, etc.!

Today’s Obas are caricatures of their former selves not only in Yoruba land but all over the country. The Constitution of the country has no special dignified and constitutionally-guaranteed role for them. They hold office at the pleasure of political office-holders and are, at best, glorified public office holders. A few of them, however, still manage to carry themselves with dignity. As it is, it promises to remain a pot-pourri of compromise, confusion and controversy.

*Bolawole (turnpot@gmail.com 0807 552 5533), former Editor of PUNCH newspapers, Chairman of its Editorial Board and Deputy Editor-in-chief, was also the Managing Director/ Editor-in-chief of the Westerner newsmagazine. He writes the “ON THE LORD’S DAY” column in the Sunday Tribune and “TREASURES” column in the New Telegraph newspapers. He is also a public affairs analyst on radio and television.

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The group in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jare Ajayi,  congratulated the new CJN and lauded President Muhammadu Buhari, for not wasting time in swearing-in Justice Ariwoola as soon as his nomination was approved by the Senate.

Ariwoola is a native of Iseyin, one of the prominent towns in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State while OCE is a body of elders committed to the progress of and welfare of the people of the area.

The Oke Ogun elders expressed their heart-felt joy that for the first time in the history of Nigeria, an indigene of the area was occupying the fifth highest office in the country.

READ ALSO: Buhari swears in CJN Ariwoola, presides over FEC

While appreciating Buhari for allowing the process to take its normal course, the elders gave the assurance that Ariwoola’s tenure as CJN would make positive impact on the country in view of the diligence, honesty, forthrightness and adroitness with which Oke Ogun people were known.

It said, “His tenure as CJN will herald a new dispensation that will make the judicial system in Nigeria more efficient, more just and more pro-people. Right from his days of practising as a lawyer up till the time he was appointed as a judge by the Oyo State government in 1992, Ariwoola has always maintained the habit of hard-work, diligence, forthrightness and honesty with which he was known all through his youthful days. These virtues he carried into higher offices such as in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court where he has served (and is still serving) meritoriously.

“With these admirable credentials, we are confident that the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Honourable Justice Tajudeen Olukayode Ariwoola GCON, will further elevate the office and enhance the judicial system in Nigeria. We are also confident that he will uphold the Omoluabi ethos of integrity and honour with which we are known.”

It then concluded by expressing appreciation to the authorities for making the appointment a smooth one.

It would be recalled that Ariwoola was sworn-in by President Muhammadu Buhari, as the 18th chief justice of the country after his nomination for that office was confirmed by the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.

Ariwoola was earlier sworn-in to work in the same office in an acting capacity following the resignation of the former CJN, Justice Muhammed Tanko, on June 27, 2022.

Before his nomination and eventual confirmation, the CJN was the most senior among the Justices in the country’s apex court.

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This remark is contained in a statement by Mr Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, on Sunday in Ibadan.

Makinde said that the demise of Oba Adekunle was a huge loss to the state.

According to him, the late traditional ruler was an exemplary leader and a true believer in the progress and development of the state.

He also described the late Aseyin as a great royal achiever, who went about the business of developing Iseyin with the positive aggression of a change agent and would stop at nothing to achieve his vision.

The governor commiserated with the Aseyin-in-Council and the entire Iseyin community, as well as the traditional council in the state.

“I have been informed of the passage of the Aseyin of Iseyinland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulganiyu Adekunle.

“His death is another great loss among the ranks of leading traditional rulers in our dear state.

“This death is painful and shocking, but we can only submit to the will of the Almighty God, who alone has the power over life and death.

“Again, Oyo State has lost an exemplary royal father and a true believer in the progress and development of Oyo State.

“I express heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the late Aseyin of Iseyinland, the Aseyin-in-Council and the sons and daughters of Iseyin land.

“I equally commiserate with the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs and pray to God to spare the lives of all its members,” the governor said.

Source: NAN

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Prince Femi Olalere, the Secretary, Aseyin Royal Family, made this known in a statement officially announcing the demise of the traditional ruler on Sunday.

Olalere said that the traditional ruler died on Sunday during “a protracted illness” after spending 62 years on earth and 15 years on the throne.

According to him, the entire Aseyin Royal Family appreciated the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Oluseyi Makinde, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy, Mr Bayo Lawal, for their supports during his (Aseyin) illness.

“God Almighty will continue to bless and see them through,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Toye Akinrinlola, the Public Relations Officer, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, confirmed that the traditional ruler died in the hospital.

Akinrinlola told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that the king had been on admission at the hospital before his demise.

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Imam Abdul-Hakeem Olajori, Chief of Iseyin land, and some other congregants gave the commendation on Friday in Iseyin after the repositioning exercise.

The congregants at the Iseyin Central Mosque had been observing their prayers for 60 years with the wrongly positioned Qibla.

The Qibla is the direction towards the Kaaba in the sacred Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which is used by Muslims in various religious contexts, particularly the direction of prayers.

Olajori said that the development was important in his life, adding that it portended a positive turnaround for the Muslim community and Iseyin in general.

He said that the relocation of the mosque in the fifteenth century and eventual return to the particular location over 60 years ago caused the structural defect in the position of the Qibla.

“This development is so important in my life as God has used me to bring about a positive change to the Iseyin Central Mosque.

“In the 15th century, the mosque was relocated and later brought back to this particular location again.

“Modernisation came and the mosque was rebuilt with bricks and was already in use when our fathers discovered a structural defect in the direction of the Qibla,” he said.

He said that the defect had been noticed more than fifty years ago, saying the Muslim community held a meeting on this alongside the League of Imam and Alfas in Iseyin.

Olajori said it was unanimously agreed that there should be a bend towards the Qibla, which had been put into effect today, April 8 which is the seventh day of Ramadan.

“The grave of our late father, Imam Alalukimba, that was there has been relocated to a better place, without which we would not have been able to do this.

“Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) warned that we should not face the burial ground or grave while praying.

“So the relocation of the grave was also a decision unanimously arrived at by the Muslim Community, Late Imam Alalukimba’s family and representatives of Ijemba community,” he said.

He expressed hope that the correction made on the Qibla position would change the minds of many worshippers that have stopped worshipping at the mosque because of the old structural mistake.

Alhaji Isiak Folorunsho, an indegene and a businessman, told newsmen after the Jumat service that he was very happy on repositioning of the Qibla without any rancour among the people.

He expressed delight that the Muslim community was unanimous in taking the decision to bring about positive changes in the structure of the historical worship place.

“Many of us met the structural defect when we were born and majority might not know about the defect. We are happy today that this correction has been done.

“It will attract many other young ones that saw the defect as an aberration and would hitherto not want to worship there, it is a welcome development,” he said.

Some other congregants described it as an indication of better things to come as praying against the Qibla was against the tenets of Islam.

Source: NAN

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Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Oyo State, Mr Paul Okoduwa, confirmed the figure on Sunday.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that 25 persons were involved in the crash which resulted from over speeding by two commercial vehicles.

Okoduwa said those that died were six males and three females, while nine males and six females sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Only one occupant did not sustain injury, he said.

He said the buses were a Mazda with registration number YRE 124 XA and a Toyota Hiace with registration number BDJ 400 YK.

He added that the dead had been deposited in a mortuary at a private hospital while those who sustained injuries were being treated at Our Lady Hospital, Iseyin.

Okoduwa warned motorists to obey all traffic rules and drive within approved speed limits.

Source: NAN

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