• Olowo: If you’re not ready for Isese, stay away from Oba throne

From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan

The Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye is furious. He has called out kingmakers in Yoruba land to be cautious and wary. He told them in strong terms to uphold the customs and traditions of their forefathers. He told aspiring princes to Oba stool the home truth.

 

 

Desecration of the throne must stop forthwith. His definite declaration: Any prince who is unwilling to practice Isese, the Yoruba indigenous religion, should stay off the traditional institution. They should not aspire to become Oba.

It was exactly a week ago. The evening of Thursday at his palace in Owo, Ondo State, during a courtesy visit by members of the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR), led by its president, Dr. Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode. The council’s presence in Owo was aimed at commending the king for his consistent promotion and protection of Yoruba heritage.

Oba Ogunoye emphasised the need for traditional rulers to preserve Yoruba culture in the face of rising modernisation: “The throne of an Oba is not merely ceremonial but deeply rooted in the cultural and spiritual identity of the Yoruba people.

“Anyone who is not ready to promote the indigenous culture of Yoruba land should stay away from the position of Oba or abdicate the throne. Yoruba is a special race, endowed with a peculiar heritage, including religion.

“The throne derives its essence and strength from ancient Yoruba tradition. All princes maybe entitled, but only those ready to uphold the customs of the land should be considered.”

The monarch called on traditional rulers “leaning toward foreign religions at the expense of Yoruba traditional beliefs to reconsider their positions or step aside. The survival and authenticity of the Yoruba identity depend on its guardians, the monarchs staying true to the culture they represent.”

Fakayode lauded Oba Ogunoye for “his unwavering commitment to Yoruba spirituality and cultural values. The ICIR’s mission include but not limited to preserving and spreading the teachings of Ifa.” He expressed deep satisfaction that the “Olowo remains a dependable ally in this cause.”

Doyin Odebowale, legal counsel to the ICIR, praised the monarch for defending Yoruba tradition “against growing intrusion from foreign religious practices.” He urged other Yoruba kings to rise to the responsibility of protecting their thrones from erosion and irrelevance:

“Our monarchs must take their stools seriously to command respect not just among their people but in the larger society. Tradition is not a costume to be worn and discarded it is a sacred duty.”

The visit and the monarch’s pronouncement came at a time of increasing debate over the roles of traditional religion in modern kingship in Yoruba land, especially as more kings and royal aspirants publicly identify with foreign religions.

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