The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, stated on Thursday that he is not fighting for dominance with any monarch in Yorubaland or anyplace else in the world.
This information was disclosed in a statement issued in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye.
Chronicle NG reports that the fresh battle between the Alaafin, Oba Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, started last Monday after the Alaafin faulted the Ooni’s decision to confer the title of Okanlomo of Oduwa on a businessman, Dotun Sanusi, during the unveiling of an indigenous social media network, 2geda, at Ilaji Hotel, Ibadan, at the weekend.
According to the statement, Alaafin is a true custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, and he has always prioritised his subjects’ safety and well-being. It went on to say that the monarch placed a high value on his subjects’ will and wishes.
Durojaiye stated that he (Alaafin) would never compromise his people’s traditions, culture, or growth for a pot of porridge.
He stated that the monarch’s popularity at the palace and throughout the empire is determined by the results of his government.
The statement reads in part, “Why does Alaafin not need to get into any battle for supremacy with any Oba, either in Yorubaland or anywhere in the universe? These are the immortal words of Alexander Graham Bell: ‘The most successful men in the end are those whose success is the result of steady accretion.’
“It is the man who carefully advances step by step, with his mind becoming wider and wider, and progressively able to grasp any theme or situation – persevering in what he knows to be practical, and concentrating his thought upon it – who is bound to succeed in the greatest degree.” This sums up the life voyage of Owoade, an indomitable monarch with an unequalled passion for the great good of all.
“He (Alaafin) is a veritable custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition and has always taken into consideration the safety and welfare of his subjects and will never compromise tradition, culture and development of his people for a pot of porridge. History has been so kind and friendly to Alaafin Owoade publicity since he ascended the throne of his forefathers, as he does not need to get into any battle for supremacy with any oba, either in Yorubaland or anywhere in the universe.
“Alaafin combines humility with royalty to meet the modern-day demands. Kabiyesi (the king who no one questions). Iku Baba Yeye (the one who commands death/he who is parent to death). Alashe (He who wields authority). Ekeji Orisha (second-in-command to the gods). The Alaafin was inducted into the mysteries of various gods like Ifa, Sango, etc., to be the direct representative of these deities on earth.”
The statement added, “At the hallowed ground of the ancient Yoruba shrine, Owoade made a covenant with illustrious Yoruba ancestors that he would defend, protect and add glamour to the Yoruba norms and tradition. Oduduwa’s principal minister and grandson, Oranmiyan (because Oduduwa begot Okanbi, an only child, and Okanbi begot Oranmiyan, among others, namely Ila-Orangun, Oni-Sabe, Olu-Popo, Ala-Ketu, and Oba-Benin), founded the city of Oyo when prolonged drought struck Ile-Ife as a result of people’s emigration.
“Oyo simply rose to prominence through wealth gained from trade and its military skills. It was the largest West African empire and the most important and authoritative of all the early Yoruba principalities. More so, the British, as it was in their tradition, recognised lineage as meaningful supremacy and legitimacy, preferring to sign the Treaty of Cessation with the Alaafin as the Superior Head of the Yoruba Nation.
“In politics also, he is concerned about the sanctity of his position and whatever happens to the welfare of his people. Customs and all traditional practices of today in government, religion and economic life have had distance and possibly age-long origins which were based on valid and accepted tenets that emerged from the synthesis and aggregated experience of a particular society.
“One such society is the ancient city of Oyo, reputed for cultural resources that are of rich non-material and material attributes and transmitted through generations. Moreover, the precepts and concepts of Alaafin’s administration have continued to support and nurture the people’s ancient culture and sophisticated civilisation from time immemorial.”
