The discovery of an ancient symbol of warrior (oduro) from the earth in Ago-Are, Oyo State, sent the whole town into jubilation. The Aare of Ago-Are, Oba Abodunrin Kofoworola was particularly excited witnessing the development during his reign. In an interview by TUNDE BUSARI, the monarch explains how the item was dug out of the earth in his new palace under construction.
Can you tell me how that field marshal staff discovered?
It was discovered on a site on which new palace is currently being developed. The construction workers discovered it while digging the earth. The labourer,who first dug it out, did not know what it means and later covered it with sand. But as fate would have it, the supervising engineer spotted an error and directed them to dig further. That required them sand filling a space to dig another. It was in the process of covering the first with sand that they saw the oduro again. An indigene,who had joined in the work, saw and spotted it.
How did you get the news?
They brought it to me, and I asked them to take it to the head of my family who later confirmed and shed more light on it as regards the number of years it had got lost from the palace. Alhaji explained that it has been in the earth for about 80 years during the reign of Aare Arogundade Olanipekun-Olakanla (I). He said the two successors of Olanipekun—Oyeniran Adesope and Oladoke Oyesiji—could not lay their hands on it. He said further that it was field marshal baton which was first presented to the third Aare Ona Kakanfo Oluwonde Akinosoin Edu Ruling House. It may be of interest to you that Akinoso was also the traditional ruler holding Ekeje title together with his generalismo title. The succeeding Aare OnaKakanfo Oladimeji also got the oduro after he had defeated Kurunmi of Ijaye.
Why then was the discovery turned to a big show in the town?
It is a landmark in the history of the town, hence the decision to gather the people in the public square to see it and bring the elderly to educate the town about what it means. That was the exact thing we did. We took it round the town during which people were offering prayers.
Where do you now keep it?
Where it is kept is not as important as keeping it safely. It is okay where it is.
Oke-Ogun is a big senatorial district in Oyo State and respected during elections, to what extent has this been beneficial to the people of the axis?
You seem to want to drag me to politics, and I will try as much as I can to restrict myself from discussing politics. I am a royal father who must be guided by high level of restraint on public matters. I won’t say anything that has to do with politics.
Kabiyesi, I don’t want to agree with you based on the fact that we are all regarded as political animals. Aren’t we?
I am not actually saying you must agree with me. You have right to hold on to your view on any issue. I am not even speaking for another person. I am only speaking for myself in my capacity as Aare of Ago-Are.
Are you forbidden by law to speak on politics?
This life is about discretion and use of it. As a traditional ruler, I know that whatever statement I make would be seen from a bigger perspective as head of a town. I must, therefore, watch what I say in order not to embarrass my town and my people. And because of the fact that my subjects belong to different political parties, I must be seen as father of all of them, regardless of their party affiliation. Owing to this fact, I must restrain myself from making statements that could be termed political.
But some traditional rulers have made their positions known on political issues. Why are you different?
I am different because I must be different. I have said it earlier that I act based on my principle which nothing can change for now.
Can I say your career as a civil servant, whom is not expected to be heard, is still guiding you in the palace where you are now a public figure?
I would not know. I would not confirm or refute your observation but I must tell you that I know what to say and when to say it. What then is the essence of my education when I lack right discretion to do things? Look, I am not saying any other traditional ruler should not exercise his right of expression. What I am saying is that I won’t go outside my principle because I want to be heard.
Looking at you in this serene environment evokes feelings that you must be missing your urbane life in Abuja and Lagos where you worked before you ascended the throne. Is my observation right?
Your observation is right to the extent of your understanding of the difference between the two experiences. There is no basis of comparing the two capitals of the country with this countryside. But what is more important in the matter is the purpose for which my return home is serving. Is it meeting my dream? Does it align with my post-retirement plan? These questions are more important. I can always tell you that though I miss the upscale life, I am at home returning to my people in this capacity as traditional ruler.
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Does that mean your being the Aare was your post-retirement plan?
Never! I had other plans for my life after service. Becoming the Aare was not part of my plans. Let me say it clearly again through this medium that I was not thinking about it. I was contented with what God had done for me during my service years and looking forward for a deserving retirement. But the plan of God was different from mine, hence my being here today. I am saying this to thank God for selecting me as one of His favoured to be called traditional ruler. I am of the opinion, based on my experience, that traditional stool is not a position one should be desperate to mount. God must have destined that one would be there. That is my story, and story of other traditional rulers who believe in the workings of God.
Is there a specific message that you are passing across by your experience before and on the throne?
Yes, and the message is clear. Race to the stool should not be a do-or-die thing. Of course, every prince would want to try his luck because he is entitled to the throne. But only one will get there. And when he gets there, he should know that God deliberately favours him to clinch the position. That is the way I see the whole thing. Every prince should see other royal blood as one, and accept whoever is finally selected.
We have many traditional rulers in Oke-Ogun, how can you describe your relationship?
It is true we are many here because we have many towns up here. On the strength of that, there is harmonious relationship among us. Formally and informally, we see ourselves as leaders of our respective towns and communities who must live by example. The peace being enjoyed in Oke-Ogun cannot be divorced from the peaceful co-existence among us. We do visit one another from time to time and celebrate occasions together.
The state of road from Ibadan to this northern axis is worrisome. How do you respond to this?
There is no way to respond to the state of the road than what you have just said. It is truly worrisome. It is worrisome that one needs to think before one put his vehicle on a trip to Ibadan. The damage the road does to vehicles is regular, so regular that I sympathize with commercial transporters who have no other means of livelihood aside plying the route. It is not road alone, the state of infrastructural facilities generally is nothing to write home about. This is unfortunate for an area that produces high quantity of agricultural products. But I think we would continue to use medium as this to appeal to government to do something about these problems. When we talk of development, we talk of availability of infrastructural facilities. And when these facilities are unavailable, no reasonable development would take place. As we look towards the next dispensation, we are hoping that Oke-Ogun would be paramount on the agenda of incoming government.
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