Olubadan: one throne, many palaces

In quick succession, two topmost Ibadan high chiefs and Oba Samuel Odulana passed to the great beyond within three months, paving way for the Olubadan-in-waiting, High Chief Saliu Adetunji. BISI OLADELE writes on the unique Ibadan obaship system that makes access to the throne an all-comers affair and which creates many palaces across the city. The enthronement of a new Olubadan will add Chief Adetunji’s residence to the palatial league, just as this report also looks at the journey to a new N4 billion Olubadan’s palace which is in the works.

If a prophet had told High Chief Saliu Adetunji on November 5 last year that he would mount the throne of the Olubadan of Ibadan within four months, he would have treated the prophesy with disdain.

‘Four months? What will happen to the man on the throne and the two most senior high chiefs?’ He would have queried.

But when the erstwhile Balogun of Ibadan land, High Chief Sulaimon Omiyale, joined his ancestors on November 7 at the age of 91, and the late Otun Olubadan, High Chief Omowale Kuye, died on 19 of the same month at the age of 87, High Chief Adetunji must have revived his hope of ascending the throne as the 40th Olubadan.

Today, the sequence of deaths opened the gates for him to ascend the throne.

Unlike in other Yoruba towns, palaces are scattered across Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. They are artifacts that emanated from former great men who ruled the city across times and ages.

There is the Oba Ogundipe Palace. There is the Asanke Palace. There is the Adeyemo Palace and there is also the Odulana palace, among others.

They are visible, reminding indigenes and particularly, younger generations in the families, of their great ancestry.

Yet, sitting atop the Mapo Hill is the official palace for the throne. Located a few metres away from the historical Mapo Hall, the palace, was, however, only used by Oba Yesusfu Asanke during whose reign it was built in the 1980s. Before and after Oba Ashanke, monarchs in the city ruled their people from the comfort of their homes which they turned to the palace at coronation.

But the practice of using personal residence as the palace continued after Oba Asanke. All the affairs of the city are deliberated upon in the home-palaces with all members of the Olubadan-in-Council shifting their attendance to any current palace..

Most palaces are located in the remote communities within the city. They are common around Oja’ba, Oranyan, Irefin, Oke Are, Eleta and Agbadagbudu, except that of Oba Odulana, which was sited at Monatan, a newly developed area along Iwo Road. This was due largely to the fact that Oba Odulana was an elite. He was a Minister of Labour in the First Republic.

A member of the Olubadan-in-Council, High Chief Lekan Balogun, said the idea of ruling from one’s personal palace has no negative significance in Ibadan land. According to him, it only makes the job convenient for the reigning king.

Now that the city is preparing to enthrone a new Olubadan, it is certain that another palace will be added to the existing ones, that is, Chief Adetunji’s house in Popo Yemoja. Except the high chief decides to use any other house in an elitist area (if he has), his brown colour, two-storey building tucked in the heart of the densely populated hinterland, will serve as the new palace for the Ibadan monarch.

Yet, the situation may give way as elite indigenes of the city have launched a N4billion palace for their king. The elite, under the auspices of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) launched the project two years ago.

The council’s former National President, Chief Bayo Oyero, explained that the palace complex sits on a six acre expanse of land atop the popular Agala hill at the centre of the town. The hill is adjacent the University College Hospital (UCH) in the city.

According to Oyero, the modern palace is a cluster of structures which will be part of what he called the “Olubadan Palace Complex.” The complex consists of social facilities, including a clinic, guest house, museum and a library, among others.

The community leader said the complex would be built in phases, stressing that the ongoing first phase costs at least N2 billion.

He sad: “It has been a major concern and major focus for CCII for a long time. Ibadan House, which serves as CCII office, was built on part of the piece of land earmarked for the Olubadan Complex. The cost runs into billions and we will build in phases. The first phase will cost about N2 billion. We have other facilities such as a church, a mosque, a swimming pool, police station and all conveniences – all within the palace complex.”

When completed, the palace will offer a clear and good view of the city as the hill is centrally located. It also borders a modern residential estate which grew on the hill in the early 1990s. The combination of all these features will make the palace perhaps the most modern in Nigeria.

The Olubadan throne

Accession to the throne of the Olubadan is as unique as the city. Unlike in other Yoruba towns where only few, specific ruling houses produce the king, the Olubadan throne is open to all Ibadan indigenes who are able to rise across the traditional ladder.

In the unique system, every compound nominates a distinguished son for the Mogaji chieftaincy title. Hence all compounds have at least, a Mogaji. Then, the Olubadan-in-Council, which is made up of the monarch and the high chiefs, can promote any Mogaji to Jagun. This promotion puts the man on the ladder to the Olubadan throne from two lines: Otun Olubadan and Balogun. Promotion to higher cadres occurs only when an occupant of any of the positions dies.

From the Jagun, candidates climb 21 steps before emerging as the Olubadan on the Otun Olubadan line, while candidates climb 22 other steps on the Balogun line.

This system accounts for the reason the throne is open to all indigenes and prevents unhealthy contest for the throne as the next Olubadan is already well known by virtue of their chieftaincy titles. Accession is rotated between the two lines. When an Olubadan dies, one of the topmost chiefs from both lines ascends the throne based on the principle of rotation. For instance, Oba Odulana ascended the throne from the Otun line. Hence, the new Balogun of Ibadan land, High Chief Adetunji, is his successor.

But the system also leaves the throne occupied by old men, most times, octogenarians and nonegerians, unlike in other Yoruba towns where young men stand a chance.

Interestingly, some top partisan politicians are currently close to the throne. They are the current  Otun Olubadan of Ibadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun and The Osi Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja.

While Balogun is a former senator and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ladoja is a former governor of the state and Leader of the Accord Party in Oyo State.

The Olubadan-in-the-waiting

Alhaji Saliu Akanmu Adetunji is a music producer and marketer. The high chief rose from being an apprentice tailor to owning a record label.

Adetunji, an octogenarian, is the proprietor of three music marketing companies – Omo Aje Sound Studio, Adetunji Label and Babalaje Record which he founded 55 years ago

He became Mogaji in 1976 and later rose to become Jagun Balogun (the first line on the Balogun rung) in 1978. He was promoted to the rank of Balogun of Ibadan land on January 1, only for the throne to become vacant 18 days later.

Adetunji discovered and promoted many popular Yoruba musicians, including Fuji maestro, Wasiu Ayinde (K1).

Before K1, Babalaje already had Salami Balogun, Alhaji Amoda Shijuade, Dauda Epo Akara, Saka Layigbade, and many more on his record label.

He was a tailor for many years, sewing both native and English dresses until the late Badejo Okunsanya patronised him at Agarawu area of Lagos. Okusanya had told him to call ‘alaaru’ (market load movers) to help carry the clothes he bought from young Adetunji. But to his surprise, he delivered it himself. Dazed by the gesture as his houseboy had always used ‘alaaru’ whenever he was sent on errand, he prayed for Adetunji: “whatever you lay your hands upon shall prosper.”

Okusanya was said to have later selected different old records for him to be playing at work so as to entertain his customers who came to sew, but to Adetunji’s surprise, the customers were buying the record from him.

In one of his interviews, Adetunji said: “I sold out everything and I took the money back to him and this was in 1960. Then he revealed to me that he and my dad started the business in 1940. So, he took me to other marketers who sold records. That was how I started till date.”

The steps

1. Otun Olubadan/Balogun of Ibadabland
2. Osi Olubadan/Otun Balogun
3. Ashipa Olubadan/Osi Balogun
4. Ekerin Olubadan/Ashipa Balogun
5. Ekarun-un Olubadan/Ekerin Balogun
6. Abese Olubadan/Ekarun-un Balogun
7. Maye Olubadan/Abese Balogun
8. Ekefa Olubadan/Maye Balogun
9. Agbaakin Olubadan/Ekefa Balogun
10. Aare Alaasa Olubadan/Agbaakin Balogun
11. Ikolaba Olubadan/Aare Alasa Balogun
12. Asaju Olubadan/Iklaba Balogun
13. Ayingun Olubadan/Asaju Balogun
14. Aare-Ago Olubadan/Ayingun Balogun
15. Laguna Olubadan/Aare-Ago Balogun
16. Oota Olubadan/Laguna Balogun
17. Aregbe-Omo Olubadan/Oota Balogun
18. Gbonkaa Olubadan/Aregbe-Omo Balogun
19. Aare-Onibon Olubadan/Gbonkaa Balogun
20. Bada Olubadan/Aare Onibon Balogun
21. Ajia Olubadab/Bada Balogun
22. Jagun Olubadan/Ajia Balogn
23. Jagun Balogun (balogun line only).

Baales and Olubadans till date

1. Lagelu (Date unknown)
2. Baale Maye Okunade (1820-1830)
3. Baale Oluyedun (1830-1835)
4. Baale Lakanle (1836-1836)
5. Basorun Oluyole (1836-1850)
6. Baale Oderinlo Opeagbe (1850-1851)
7. Baale Oyesile Olugbode (1851-1864)
8. Basorun Ogunmola (1864-1867)
9. Balogun Beyioku Akere 1 (1867-1869)
10. Baale Orowusi (1869-1871)
11. Aare Latoosa (1871-1885)
12. Balogun Ajayi Osungbekun (1885-1893)
13. Baale Fijabi 1 (1893-1895)
14. Baale Osuntoki Olosun (1895-1897)
15. Basorun Fajimi (1897-1902)
16. Baale Masaderin (1902-1904)
17. Baale Dada Opadere (1904-1907)
18. Basorun Sunmonu Apanpa (1907-1910)
19. Baale Akintayo Awanibaku Elenpe (1910-1912)
20. Baale Irefin (1912-1914)
21. Baale Shittu (1914-1925)
22. Baale Oyewole Aiyejenku (1925-1930)
23. Oba Okunola Abass Alesinloye (1930-1946)
24. Oba Fagbinrin Akere 2 (1946-1946)
25. Oba Oyetunde 1 (1946-1946)
26. Oba Akintunde Bioku (1947-1948)
27. Oba Fijabi 2 (1948-1952)
28. Oba Memudu Alli-Iwo (1952-1952)
29. Oba Igbintade Apete (1952-1955)
30. Oba Isaac Babalola Akinyele (1955-1964)
31. Oba Yesufu Kobiowu (1964-1964)
32. Oba Salawu Akanbi Aminu (1965-1971)
33. Oba Shittu Akintola Oyetunde 11 (1972-1976)
34. Oba Gbadamosi Akanbi Adebimpe (1976-1977)
35. Oba Daniel Akintayo Akinbiyi (1977-1982)
36. Oba Yesufu Oloyede Asanke (1983-1993)
37. Oba Emmanuel Adegboyega Adeyemo (1994-1999)
38. Oba Dr Yinusa Bankole Ogundipe (1999-2007)
39. Oba Dr Samuel Odulana Odugade 1 (2007-2016).

Pinnick, Giwa in show of shame

*SHAME! The warring parties, Chris Giwa and Amaju Pinnick in fisticuffs.

*Meeting deadlocked *To reconvene next week.*Minister architect of the fracas

THE meeting called yesterday by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung had all the trappings of reopening the already settled leadership crisis in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). It took a dangerous turn when the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa who is laying claim to the same office almost engaged each other in fisticuffs.

Pinnick and his greatest challenger, Giwa were locked in a battle for the soul of the NFF after the election in Warri, Delta State on September 30, 2014 which produced the present board. The Confederation of African Football and FIFA have both recognised the Amaju Pinnick-led board. Giwa lost his case both in Fifa and the Court of Arbitration for Sports, CAS. And this was after he had withdrawn his case from a Jos court when Fifa moved to ban Nigeria.

For more than one year peace reigned in Nigerian football and the meeting the minister called was generally condemned by football stakeholders who said the action was tantamount to waking up a dead horse which could trigger off another bad blood.

Giwa was laying claim to the NFF top seat, saying he was duly elected after the August 26, 2014 controversial election in Abuja in which delegates massively boycotted.

Dalung, a known friend of Giwa back home from Plateau State who just assumed office late last year seemingly reopened the case and initiated an unnecessary peace move that turned out an anti-climax. between the two warring factions. During the meeting, tempers rose, resulting in altercations from both men who called each other unprintable names.

But for the intervention of Dalung who sat in between the two angry men, the situation would have resulted in the two men using their fists as they wanted.

However, after the fracas which lasted for about five minutes, the meeting continued. After long hours of deliberation, the meeting was deadlocked. The Minister told reporters that the meeting will reconvene next week Wednesday.

He asked both parties to maintain the peace and that he will try to resolve the problem in the interest of football and the country.

According to him, the meeting has given him the opportunity to hear from both parties.

On what FIFA would do if the crisis persists, Dalung said he knows that the world body rules over the game adding that they will also be interested to see that the right thing was done.

“I have the will power and the political power to resolve the issue and I am optimistic that this issue will be resolved. We have decided to hear from them because this is a democracy, if we were in a military dictatorship I may have just decreed and asked one party to step down.”

UI, OAU students renounce cultism at Adeboye’s crusades

Pastor Enoch Adeboye

Almost 100 undergraduates of the University of Ibadan and the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife renounced cultism at the separates crusades tagged ‘Campus Holy Ghost Service’, which were held at the two universities.

Our correspondent, who monitored the two events on Dove TV, which is owned by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, observed that the number of students, who turned their back on their evil ways at UI outnumbered those who shunned various cult groups at the OAU.

Speaking on the topic, Divine Visitation, at UI on Wednesday night,  the cleric admonished anyone involved in cultism to come out of the congregation to the altar area to surrender their  lives to Jesus Christ.

Before Adeboye counted 12, students trooped out to renounce cultism publicly and the cleric prayed to God to destroy every evil covenant and curse they might have attracted  while they were members  od various cult groups.

The revival held at the OAU had the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Bamitale Omole, in attendance and he watched with joy as his students trooped out and turned their backs on cult groups.

Some youngsters, who apparently are secondary school students, were also seen among those who renounced cultism at the OAU crusade, tagged ‘Mighty Hand of Power.’

Some female students were also part of those who decided to come out of cultism to begin to live responsibly on the campus.

Adeboye said  “I want those of you who have been deceived into joining any cult group to come forward and my God will set you  free.

“Come now, I want to pray for you, the Lord wants to set you free.  Come  and be free, come to the one  who can set you free. “

The Public Relations of the OAU, Mr. Abiodun Olanrewaju, when contacted, said those who renounced cultism at the crusade could not be said to be students of the OAU because students from various higher institution attended the service.

He said, “Some students came from different higher institutions for the service. Some of them hearkened to the call of God made by Baba Adeboye.

“We are happy that youths of this country are renouncing cultism and embracing God. It shows that there is a bright future for this country.  We are happy and I am sure the people of Nigeria are happy about this.”

Source: The Punch

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has said that it will not provide sureties for its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh.

The party said since Metuh was being prosecuted for offences that have nothing to do with it, its embattled spokesperson should look for those who would stand as sureties for him.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Alhaji Abdullahi Jalo, told our correspondent in an interview on Friday in Abuja that it would be wrong for anyone to be expecting the party to provide sureties for Metuh when the party did not benefit from the money he allegedly collected from the former National Security Adviser, Lt Col. Sabo Dasuki (retd.).

Metuh is facing charges for allegedly collecting N400m from Dasuki, an offence the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission described as money laundering.

Though Metuh said he actually collected the money, he said it was for a job he did for former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Metuh has, however, remained silent on the type of job he allegedly did for the former President.

He is also being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly tearing the statement he made to the commission while under interrogation.

The PDP spokesperson has denied both offences, and he is currently being remanded in Kuje Prisons, Abuja, by two different courts pending the time he would meet the bail conditions.

There were anxieties on how he would meet the conditions in order to ease his release from the prisons.

Jalo, however, said the party would not be involved in the search for the sureties.

He said, “Metuh didn’t represent the party in the alleged crimes he’s being prosecuted. The party didn’t benefit from the alleged crime.

“So, he is going to look for sureties himself. We won’t be involved. He would carry his own cross alone, without the party being involved.”

However, the National Legal Adviser of the party, Mr. Victor Kwon, said friends and associates Metuh were “doing everything possible to get the sureties” as demanded by the courts.

Dasukigate: 21 persons, firms got N54.65bn – FG

Source: The Punch

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed

Twenty one individuals and companies received N54.65bn from the $2.1bn arms deal scandal currently rocking the country.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this while speaking with online publishers in Lagos on Friday, according to a statement issued by the ministry in Abuja.

Making comparison, the minister said what 21 individuals and companies received from the arms deal was higher than what the Federal Government budgeted for zonal intervention programmes across the country in 2015 by N2.83bn, adding that corruption was the reason government programmes don’t make the required impact.

He said, “The simple reason is that appropriated funds have ended up in the pockets of a few.

“Whereas the sum of N51.83bn was appropriated for 1,278 projects in the Zonal Intervention Projects for 2015, a total of 21 individuals and companies benefited from the Dasukigate to the tune of N54.66bn as we know so far.

‘“The implication, therefore, is that the amount received by 21 individuals and companies is more than the 2015 Zonal Intervention Project budget by N2.83bn!

“Furthermore, the value of what beneficiaries of Dasukigate contributed to development is zero, compared to how the lives of Nigerians would have been transformed, poverty reduced and livelihoods improved by the Zonal Intervention Projects which would have cost N2.83bn less than Dasukigate.”

Mohammed also said it was not necessary to regulate online publications because the publishers are responsible enough to regulate themselves.

He, however, told the publishers to ensure that they maintain credibility.

“If the online publications suffer credibility problems, they stand the risk of losing the confidence of their readers and the advertisers who provide the lifeblood for the publications’ survival,” he said.

He said while the number of online publications was bound to grow in the days ahead, only the credible ones would continue to enjoy patronage, either from the readers or from the advertisers.

The minister said it was in the interest of government that online publications continue to grow in number because the more the number of such publications, the easier it becomes to bridge the information gap between the government and the governed, and the easier it becomes for the government to carry the citizens along in the formulation and implementation of policies that touch on their lives.

He promised that the Federal Government would patronise the online publications through adverts.

Mohammed said, “All we ask for, in return, is that you provide accurate information to the people, and avoid sensationalism and partisanship.

‘’The National Security Awareness Campaign, aimed at rallying the support of Nigerians for the war on terror, is on-going. Also, the National Sensitisation Campaign against Corruption was formally launched in Abuja on Monday, and it is aimed at rallying Nigerians against the cankerworm of corruption which has eaten deep into the fabric of our society.

“We are also preparing to launch a National Re-orientation Campaign, which is tagged ‘Change Begins With Me’, to achieve a paradigm shift in the way we do things.”

Mohammed described the war against corruption as one of the cardinal programmes of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration

He said, “Some have said the government is dwelling too much on the war against corruption to the detriment of other areas of governance. Our response to that is that indeed, there is nothing like dwelling too much on this war, which is a war of survival for our nation.

“The situation is grim, very grim indeed, as far as corruption is concerned. That is why the Federal Government is embarking on this sensitisation campaign. Our approach is not to vilify anyone but to use facts and figures to give Nigerians a sense of the cost of corruption.”

He appealed to online publishers to support the war against corruption by ensuring that Nigerians are well informed about the evils of corruption.

Lessons from Ooni’s historic visit to Alaafin - The Punch

Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (left), with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, during Ooni’s visit to Oyo ... on Sunday. Photo: Femi Makinde

Apart from deepening the unity of the Yoruba, the historic visit by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, is considered to be a repository of many leadership lessons those running the affairs of Nigeria can learn from, Fisayo Falodi writes

The President, Beyond Better Development, Barbara White, who specialises in motivation and training in interpersonal skills for positive impact, might have had the recent action demonstrated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, at heart when she listed exemplary character, commitment to excellence and ability to think analytically among the seven qualities of a good leader.

Less than two months after Oba Ogunwusi stood before dignitaries, including sons and daughters of Ile-Ife who attended his coronation at the popular Enuwa Square in the ancient town and vowed to build a new Yoruba nation where all traditional rulers would unite and promote unity among the ethnic group, the Ooni used his last Sunday’s historic visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, during the latter’s 45th coronation anniversary to prove that he is an embodiment of those attributes. The Ooni’s action, it is believed, has laid the foundation for the fulfillment of that pledge.

The action of the 51st Ooni was said to be an exemplary and unprecedented one as it added a new chapter to the political history of the Yoruba nation because it eliminated the old rivalry that had existed between Oba Ogunwusi’s predecessor, the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade and Oba Adeyemi.

Before the demise of Oba Sijuwade, he and the current Alaafin never agreed on some historical issues, especially those that have to do with the Yoruba nation. It is on record that they used every available public forum to taunt each other. Their animosity bordered on supremacy battle. Traditionally, it is believed that Alaafin is the political head of the Yoruba nation, while Ooni is the spiritual head. In spite of that demarcation of roles, both traditional rulers engaged in a seemingly unending verbal war for many years.

Even the excision of Osun State from the old Oyo State by the regime of a former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd), with the hope of putting an end to the cold war between the late Oba Sijuwade and Oba Adeyemi, did not achieve the desired result. Till Oba Sijuwade breathed his last, it was not recorded anywhere that the two prominent traditional rulers ever sat down together in a place and discussed the future of the Yoruba nation. It was like they built a permanent wall of enmity between themselves with its attendant lack of unity of purpose among traditional rulers in Yoruba land.

But last Sunday’s visit by the current Ooni was believed to have been unique and broken the wall of enmity because the Ife monarch, though uninvited by the celebrant, broke all artificial barriers to attend the Alaafin’s 45 anniversary coronation. This happened 79 years after a late Ife monarch visited Alaafin’s palace as pointed out by Oba Adeyemi, whose excitement over Oba Ogunwusi’s action knew no bound.

While acknowledging that he did not enjoy cordial relationship with Oba Ogunwusi’s predecessor, the Alaafin commended the new Ife monarch’s move to reconcile all Yoruba obas under a strong umbrella. In the presence of dignitaries at the thanksgiving service, Oba Adeyemi prayed for the peaceful reign of the new Ooni.

The Ooni, on his part, said he recognised the place of Oyo monarch in Yoruba history and that his reign would signal a new dawn for the Yoruba nation.

He had said, “It is a new dawn for all Yoruba sons and daughters around the globe… I am here today though not invited but as the Arole Oduduwa, the onus is on me to felicitate with all sons and daughters wherever they are and to show my solidarity for any of them.

“I am ready to damn any consequences or insinuations from anywhere; my mission here is to preach peace among nations of Yoruba both home and abroad and I am ready to work with Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Olayiwola Adeyemi, to project the unity and love which existed in the days of our forefathers.”

The Ooni’s action was, however, said to be full of lessons for Nigeria’s leaders. A political scientist and historian, Mr. Jimoh Balogun, described the action as an unprecedented one. According to him, it shows that the first duty of leaders, including political and heads of religious organisations is to lead by example.

Balogun expressed the hope that, the two traditional rulers would strengthen the unity of purpose that both of them have now found.

While asking those in positions of authority to learn from Oba Ogunwusi’s action, Balogun said, “It is unprecedented that the head of the cradle of Yoruba civilisation stretched his arms of harmony, peace and oneness to the political head of Yoruba nation.

“Oba Ogunwusi started by dousing the feud between Modakeke and Ife. The monarch swallowed pride, position, influence and in spite of his young age and youthfulness, to attend the Alaafin’s anniversary and thereby put an end to the covert rivalry between the late Oba Sijuwade and Oba Adeyemi.

“His action portrays leadership by example and humility in office, which appear lacking among those in positions of responsibility in Nigeria. The action blazes the trail for other Yoruba traditional rulers and the nation’s leaders to follow and I believe it will be the beginning of promoting unity among them.”

He equally asked religious leaders to take a cue from the Ooni’s example. According to him, if the Ife monarch can lower his prestige to reach out to the lowly placed and those in the pinnacles of office, so should be the activities of religious leaders in the various denominations.

Balogun, however, claimed that the Ooni’s action showed ray of hope in Nigeria’s youths. He believes that youths will perform well, if entrusted with positions of responsibility.

The Owa of Idanre, Oba Fredrick Aroloye, said the Ife monarch’s action had broken the unhealthy rivalry which once existed between the late Ooni and the current Alaafin. According to him, the visit underscores the need for periodical meetings among Yoruba obas to discuss the progress of the ethnic group.

While praising the new Ooni for the courage, he promised to write the Ife monarch to express his appreciation for his efforts to unite the Yoruba obas.

Oba Aroloye said, “I welcome the Ooni’s visit to Oba Adeyemi to start with. Last time when I met with the Alaafin, he said we obas in Yoruba land should be meeting to unite as one entity. And the fact that the Ooni has paid Alaafin a visit shows that we are one.

“We the other obas say that we are one because it was in 1935 that my own father, the then Owa of Idanre, moved the idea that Yoruba obas should be meeting and he thereafter told the District Officer in Idanre and the District Officer told the Resident Officer and the Resident Officer told the Chief Commission who told the Governor about the obas’ plan to be meeting.

“The first meeting was scheduled to hold in Ile-Ife, the then Alaafin kicked against it and they came back to my father who told them that Oranmiyan was the first son of Oduduwa and that the meeting ought to have taken place at Alaafin’s palace and they all agreed, but instead of holding that meeting in 1935, they shifted it to 1937. I have the sitting arrangement and the minute of everything that transpired at the meeting.

“Now that the new Ooni has moved the idea again that Yoruba obas should be meeting under one umbrella, it is a welcome idea. I am going to write to thank the Ooni for his courageous move.”

The monarch also asked Nigeria’s political leaders to follow the Ooni’s example.

“The primary purpose of having a leader is to promote the interest of the people,” Oba Aroloye said.

Also, a social commentator, Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa, commended the Ooni’s “youthful maturity, royal sagacity and spiritual tenacity in the way he has brought an end to the seeming tension between the two thrones” with advice to President Muhammadu Buhari to take a cue from the bold initiative.

Asking political leaders in the country to always demonstrate courage to walk on the right path, Adegboruwa said the Ooni’s boldness had occupied a fresh chapter in the history of Yoruba nation.

He said, “The Ooni of Ife’s boldness to follow the right path should be a big lesson for Nigeria’s leaders. I believe that our leaders, particularly politicians, can learn a lesson from this. They should not be listening to bad advice from their followers.

“Once a leader has identified the right path to follow, he should be bold and courageous enough to follow that path. But the leaders we have in Nigeria now are more or less like the followers; they don’t have the mind of their own. Whether in the Presidency or in the senate, most of the leaders we parade these days have no mind of their own to take bold decisions to move Nigeria forward; they cannot step on toes. The bulk of the lessons from Oba Ogunwusi stopped at the table of the leaders.

“Oba Ogunwusi exercised influence on those who are following him, especially when taking the right decision and I will advise President Buhari to take a cue from this and call the Bayelsa State Governor-elect, Mr. Seriake Dickson, and congratulate him on his victory in the last governorship election in the state.

“Dickson has been declared winner of the governorship poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Certificate of Return has been given to him. Let Buhari stop the perceived hostility he has against Dickson and be a statesman.

“He should also use the same spirit to invite former President Goodluck Jonathan, if the need be, in relation to the current scandal, and ask questions. The 36 state governors should also learn from the Ooni’s bold initiative.”