The ancient and serene Ado-Awaye community in Araromi local council development area of Oyo State was in festive mood last weekend as a new ruler Oba Olugbile was, presented with a beaded crown and staff of office, thirty-four years after interregnum. The community is an amalgamation of two different ancient settlements namely; Ado and Awaye.
Shops, schools and government offices were under lock and key, as pupils, market men and women, including workers thronged to Ojude-Oba,venue of the coronation, in order to be part of remarkable history.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi, represented by the Director, Chieftaincy Affairs of the Ministry of Local Governments and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Jayeoba, said after thirty five years of interregnum, the governor broke the jinx by ensuring that the age-long vacant stool was filled with the appointment of Oba Olugbile, with the support of the Alaafin of Oyo. While urging the new ruler to promote peace and unity among all thepeople of the community, Ajimobi cautioned him against acts that cantarnish 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.
Alaafin of Oyo, Oba (Dr.) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, who arrived the community in a long motorcade of Oke-ogun traditional rulers, and some members of the Oyo Traditional Council (Oyo Mesi), admonished traditional rulers to be above board in personal conducts in order be a respectable dung hill. He said traditional rulers must be seen as the symbols of the people’s past, custodian of their history and past, upholder, preserver of their culture and customs, epitome of cultural norms andvalues of the society such as truth, discipline, courage andresponsibility.
According to him, ’’traditional rulers must be humble, courteous, reconciliatory and non-partisan. He must be ‘father of all’ in words, deeds and actions. They must show a sympathetic understanding for the traditions, customs and religion of the people. Obas must not only beknowledgeable in the history and customs of his people but he must also be sympathetic to the traditional religions, festivals and ritesof his kingdom’’.
This, he noted, is to ensure that Obas continue to enjoy the respect,obedience and reverence from their people because their authoritiesand power actually come from the traditions of the people.
“But sadly enough, over the years, some traditional rulers have showntotal disregard to traditions and customs of their people, as it isabsurd and absolutely unimaginable that they do not have the basic knowledge of the history and politics of their kingdom all in the name of Western civilisation.
There is no doubt that the personality of the individuals who leadan institution goes a long way to affect the public perceptions ofsuch institutions. One of the most important and valuable credentials of an Oba is the ability to master, comprehend and relate thetraditions of origin, early and contemporary history of his kingdomwell as the workings and principles of the traditional socio-political systems of the people,” he said.
The paramount ruler who expressed dismay over the vacant stool in thecrisis-torn community which lasted thirty-four years, advisedtraditional rulers in the state to desist from holding cultic meetings which are suspicious to the government, and capable of endangeringmutual co-existence.
Said he, ‘’since 1976, I had been a crusader for the emancipation oftraditional rulers and elevation of their status from Baales to beaded crown Obas. Some of the Baales elevated to the status of Obas and werecrowned by the Alaafin included the Aseyin of Iseyin, Sabiganna ofIganna, Iba of Kisi. I have no grudge with any traditional ruler, butdevotedly committed to their well beings.’’
Earlier, chairman of the coronation planning committee and one-time deputy governor in the state, Chief Barrister Iyiola Oladokun, expressed deep appreciation, on behalf of the community to both the governor and the Alaafin of Oyo, for the unalloyed support, sincerityof purpose and determination in re-written the history of the community ‘for good.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Folakanmi, pledged to dedicate his lifeto the service of his people,, the community, and to commit hisknowledge, contacts, integrity and all endowments granted him by Godto the growth and development of his people and the community.
‘’As the throne is established by righteousness, I pledge to be fairand just in all dealings for the betterment of all’’, Oba Folakanmiasserted.
The new ruler also thanked the Alaafin of Oyo for what he described as‘’his un-quantified support’’. The Alaafin of Oyo, accompanied by traditional rulers in Oke-ogun later decorated 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.
Source: The Nation
