Whoever should be appointed to write for a palace like that of Alaafin should be someone with deep sense of wisdom and knowledge. That warning piece by whoever writes it as Bode Durojaiye is not only embarrassing but also unimaginable with those disparaging words used. Yorùbá will say pẹlẹ lakọ o labo.
This year will make it the 10th year of Ooni Ogunwusi on the throne and there has never been anytime, the king or the media arm of Ooni disrespect the institution of Alaafin, either in writings, in discussions or interviews. Never!
Ooni Ogunwusi and Late Alaafin Adeyemi have never had cause to exchange words on anything, not even on Yoruba. They never did, as I can recollect. Not on superiority, not on titles, and not even in relationships. Ooni seek and earned that love.
Similarly, Ifẹ and the people have always shown love to the Ọyọs but the same, has never been reciprocated.
When Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi became a king in 2015, he paid homage to Alaafin in Ọyọ in an historic event, as a mark of respect to someone who is already on the throne before him, but for every hands of love, it is always one day of cry, another day of anger and one wonders if this is an agenda to draw the so called Yoruba land into pre colonial days ethnical banditry as warmongers. It’s sad.
On the recent unfounded noise of one title, it is a known fact that Ooni’s Chieftaincy title to anyone for years as far back as 1980s bears Ifẹ in it. Ifẹ is such an historical place to many YORUBAs and with sense of pride, it’s nothing to hide and replace for Yoruba land.
In many cases, it’s many towns that trace their root to Ifẹ, and this is a role Ifẹ has always served. The root, the source, the cradle and custodian. Even the history of Ọyọ and the those who came from Ọyọ can not be completed without mentioning Ifẹ.
There will never be an Ọyọ town without someone coming from Ile-Ife to settle in Ọyọ. Pick any history book of Ọyọ today, you will see Ile-Ife ancestry there. This is the same ties many Yoruba towns have with Ifẹ. The Ijesha, the Ekitis, the Ìgbómìnàs, the Akokos, the Okuns, to the Itshekiris and lots of many sub ethnic groups who have historical connections to Ifẹ. This is to show the Ifẹ place in what they call Yorùbá land today and the common heritage we share and why the name Ifẹ can not be subdued for any YORUBAland. Ifẹ is enough.
Notable title holders like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, his wife HID, and many politicians that Ooni Sijuade gave titles to in 2004 including Atiku, Gov Odili all either have Ifẹ or the Source in it. You have titles like Odole of Ifẹ, Baamofin of the Source, Yeyeluwa Oodua etc.
The biggest title that the present Ooni Ọba Adeyeye has given anyone in the last 10yrs is the Odole of Ife to Chief Kessington Adebutu and it has nothing like Yorubaland in it.
The latest title as announced by the man to be conferred, Dotun Sanusi shows clearly Okanlomo Odua. The man Jubril Dotun Sanusi wrote that clearly on his Facebook account 12hrs ago, only for Bode Durojaiye to rush to his page 6hrs after and start warning on behalf of the king with lies of “Yorubaland” usage. Anyone can search these posts which I will put in comment box.
I wonder if Mr Bode hates the man Jubril Sanusi or he just want to create attention, tension and use that opportunity to attack Ooni. This is also sad.
On the said publication, I have seen many people calling Ifes bad names and I wonder how someone will sit in his house quietly looking for what to eat and survive and some people somewhere in this age and time will mischievously be insulting others for mundane power arrogance. This is also disturbing.
I want to believe that Alaafin Owoade has no hand in this, because some of us have respected him since he emerged and accorded him the respect he deserves. I will be utterly disappointed if he does, because a good leader don’t allow such.
Nigeria and today’s YORUBA society is governed by Law and State governors appoint leaders of each community as guided by Law. OSUN State installed Ooni over Ifẹ people. And Ọyọ state installed Alaafin over his Ọyọ domain.
Everyone can call himself what he likes, it’s allowed but no one should use their office to cause mayhem in the society with sensational posts capable of disrupting the peace and tranquility we currently enjoy. We expect everyone to man their post, and bring development to their people in their own little capacity. This is the Yoruba will look forward to.
As we await the 48hrs expiring date of the so called warning on nothing, and while Ooni always continue to look away as always – I hope people are keeping records of events.
Tomorrow is always another day.
©Elu Ọmọ Elu
Leave a Reply