Thirty-seven years after his coronation, the Alamodu of Ago-Amodu community of Saki East local government area of Oyo State was presented with a beaded crown by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi.
Historically, the serene community was founded by grandfather of the incumbent Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeyemi Alowolodu 1.
A statement on the official page of the Alaafin of Oyo disclosed that delay in the endorsement of beaded crown and presentation of staff of office by the State Government was as a result of vendetta, bickering, animosity, disagreements and disharmony which characterized most parts of the Oke-ogun areas.
However, due to the concerted efforts of the Alaafin of Oyo and whose institution’s principle anchored on fairness, justice, and equity, the State Government eventually endorsed and approved the monarch’s beaded crown and staff of office.
It was funfair galore, as indigenes and residents rolled out the drums and besieged major streets in the community to celebrate with their ruler, Oba Oyetola Alao Gbadewolu 1, who they referred to as ‘’visionary and God-fearing monarch.”
Shops, and government offices were under lock and key, as, market men and women, including workers thronged to venue of the coronation, in order to be part of remarkable history.
Oba Adeyemi, who arrived the community in a long convoy of vehicles comprising of Oke-ogun traditional rulers, and some members of the Oyo Traditional Council [Oyo Mesi], was received into the community by the elated people who were full of praises for what they referred to as ‘’Oba Adeyemi’s intervention and honesty of purpose as the Permanent Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs in the recommendation of their monarch for the wearing of beaded crown.’’
In his address, Oba Adeyemi described beaded crowns as ‘’the most convert paraphernalia of Yoruba Obaship’’.
According to him, beaded crowns are anointed and so should be sparingly used.
“Wearing of beaded crowns by Yoruba Obas should be used in such a way that will illustrate the distinguish Yoruba etiquette.The dignity of our traditions rests on the values of our culture, and we must not allow the society we live in nowadays to rob us off of our cherished and valuable cultural values.”
The crown, he said, incarnates the intuition of royal ancestral force, the revelation of great moral insight in the person of the king, and the glitter of aesthetic experience.
According to the Alaafin, the people must submit themselves, and are absolutely submissive to the authority of the Oba who in turn is expected to rule for the general good and welfare of the community as a whole.
‘’In fact, no ruler or leader in contemporary modern political system has the kind of control and influence possessed by the Oba on the people. ’Oba is generally seen, recognized and acknowledged as the custodian of the people’s history and culture. A Yoruba Oba personifies the kingdom and represents the reincarnation of the past ancestors of the community. The words of an Oba were orders and their actions were divine and sacred’’.
This position, the paramount ruler asserted, can be harnessed in modern democratic and development ideals to make the Oba the focal instrument of acquiring the total cooperation, support, acceptance and consent of the general public for government programmes and policies’’.
In address, the State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, represented by the Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Matters, Bimbo Kolade, urged the monarch to promote peace and unity among all the people of the community.
He also Ajimobi cautioned him against acts that can tarnish his reputation.
The governor who lauded traditional rulers, particularly the Alaafin of Oyo for their support for his administration, reiterated the commitment of his administration towards their welfare.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Gbadewolu 1, pledged to dedicate his life to the service of his people,, the community, and to commit his knowledge, contacts, integrity and all endowments granted him by God to the growth and development of his people and the community.
‘’As the throne is established by righteousness, I pledge to remain fair and just in all dealings for the betterment of all.” Oba Gbadewolu asserted.
The traditional ruler also thanked the Alaafin of Oyo for what he described as ‘’his unquantified support.”
The Alaafin of Oyo, accompanied by traditional rulers in Oke-ogun area later wore the new ruler with the beaded crown after the performance of some traditional rites.
This was followed with the presentation of staff of office by the governor’s representatives, amid jubilations by happy-looking people of the community.
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