Day Alaafin, Olugbon, KSA converged on Ogbomoso for Yoruba books

The preparation and publicity preceding the book launch gave the people of Ogbomoso assurance that the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, would grace the occasion. Still some section were skeptical, apparently oblivious of the bond between the author of the new books, Mr Sayo Alagbe and Oba Adeyemi.

Those Doubting Thomases were taken aback when the convoy of the Alaafin drove into the premises of Havillah Events Centre, Ogbomoso, and Oba Adeyemi alighted in white lace matched with his traditional abetiaja cap.

Accompanied by retinue of chiefs and palace aides, Oba Adeyemi followed his host, Alagbe, who managed his emotions but expressed some soft smiles till he took Oba Adeyemi to his seat at the front of the hall.

Oba Adeyemi, during his extemporaneous speech which drew intermittent ovation, saluted Alagbe for his genuine love for the  the Yoruba culture and its propagation, saying he had always followed Alagbe’s journey with active interest.

He admonished him to not be discouraged by the weak reading culture, assuring him that posterity would vindicate authors of books which make impact in the society, recalling Williams Shakespare’s contribution to literary world.

“There is no doubt that authors are facing hard times because of the fact that people are not reading books. This should not discourage people like Alagbe from doing what God has sent them to do. There is evidence that books will outlive their authors. That should be enough consolation to our authors that their names will be mentioned many years after they might have left here. I am here personally to show my support and challenge the invited guests to identify with him because writing books is not easy,” Alaafin told Nigeria tribune

Also, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, in company of his wife later arrived the event and first paid homage to the Alaafin after which he took his seat and followed the proceeding which had in attendance the crème-de-la-crème of Ogbomoso.

The Olugbon, expressed his respect for Alagbe whom he called a man of culture and tradition for his steadfastness in promoting Yoruba value system.

“I am happy to have attended the launc  because it is an important occasion. Mr Alagbe is from Osogbo, and you would agree with me that we are all one, regardless of where we come from. Seeing Baba Alaafin and his chiefs from Oyo means a lot to me. It means I would not have any excuse to miss the occasion. What I am saying is that I am happy that I attended it,” he said.

The book launch was not attended only by the Alaafin and Olugbon alone, other traditional rulers also physically honoured Alagbe. These included: the Onijabata, Oba Mustapha Oladele Ajala; Alaipo of OrileAipo, Oba Onaolapo Ajadi; Alarolu of Arolu, Oba Hezekiah Olubayo Adedeji; Elegbeda of Egbeda, Oba Elijah Olatubosun.

Complementing the royal fathers was the presence of the acclaimed King of World Beat, King Sunny Ade, who led his band to the event and spiced it with variety of his timeless songs which kept the audience on the edge of their seats.

The Ondo prince hardly observed much rest as he stood permanently on the stage doing his act, especially his amazing dance steps which belied his advanced 73 years age. Through his songs, backed with irresistible melody, Sunny Ade revealed the history of his relationship with Alagbe to the ecstatic audience, saying it was a long journey.

“Alagbe is my close ally right from the days of yore. I found him a reliable journalist who stands out among his colleagues in telling the truth. This must be the attribute which other eminent personalities like the late MKO Abiola and Baba Alaafin saw in him. That I am here is means that it is not Alagbe’s event alone but my event also,” he stated.

The chief launcher at the event, Mr Akinwole Akinwale (popularly called WoleKanle), was also full of accolade topraises  for  Alagbe, describing him as a role model through whom he garnered some experience while he was working with his father as a clerk.

“He may not know that I used to admire him when I was growing up as a young boy. So, I am not surprised that he has grown to become a writer who is well respected in Ogbomoso here and elsewhere. A person who brought Baba Alaafin to his event is a respected person,” he remarked.

Entitled, ‘Timo-Toye, a collection of 32 Yoruba poems and Six Hundred Yoruba Proverbs: An All-Embracing Potpie’, the books, according to the author, were written as a wake-up call to the Yorubas at home and diaspora to understand the richness of the Yoruba language with a view to preserving it.

Alagbe is reputed for his research into the Yoruba cultural heritage and values with his regular feature on electronic and print media in the past years. He had worked for the define National Concord, owned by the late MKO Abiola.

Aside his new books, Alagbe had previously authored: Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III: His Life, History and Philosophy; Ijalá Ògúndáre Fóyánmu: Ìjìnlè Ohùn Enu Yorùbá; Gain Adam: Leadership Challenge and Lérè Pàímó: A Quintessential Thespian.

Apparently impressed by the turnout of his expected guests, Alagbe expressed his gratitude to them, with assurance to live for promotion of Yoruba culture. He said he was always worried about the attitude of the Yoruba to Yoruba culture, hence his critical lines for Yoruba kings.

“I did the line in the special poem I wrote in honour of Baba Alaafin who has no equal in the length and breadth of Yoruba. You see him, you see the embodiment of Yoruba culture and tradition. That is what fascinates me and brings me closer to him. You are with him, you learn a lot of things. He is everything Yoruba obas should be.

“King Sunny Ade is a musician I cannot joke with because of the love with which he had related with me from the beginning of our relationship. I thank all other traditional rulers who came to honour me. I remain loyal to them, including other people who contributed in one way or the other to the success of the two books and the launching,” he remarked.

Dignitaries at the event included representatives of former governor of Oyo state, Chief Alao Akala; Senator FataiBuhari of Oyo North Senatorial district; Honourable Segun Odebunmi of Surulere/Ogo Oluwa federal constituency; Majority Leader of Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Sanjo Adedoyin and Oyo State Commissioner for Training and Establishment, Olasunkanmi Olaleye.

Others included:  the vice chancellor of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Professor Michael Ologunde, the Agbaakin of Okin Apa, Chief Pekun Olaleye; Barrister Ayoola Ajayi, Professors Emmanuel Akande, among others.

• I have a paid job because money from acting is not enough —Olabisi Adeyemi

In his post-event comment, the Alaafin noted regrettably that thev Yoruba Languages is no longer being learnt as a mother tongue by children, saying the number of students enrolling for the language as a discipline in tertiary institutions is dwindling annually.

He also noted that students currently offering Yoruba language in some higher institutions are reluctantly doing so as a face-saving course against loss of admission.

Oba  Adeyemi  added  that such students keep on struggling to change course and eventually jettison Yorùbá language as a discipline.

Still, he maintained, that Yorùbá language expresses identity; it is a repository of history; it talks about the nation’s ancestry, lineages or descents.Yoruba language, contributes to the sum of knowledge of any Yorùbá man or woman.

“All these would be gone and totally lost since the language is progressively dying out and steadily being supplanted by other languages, most especially the English language. If the élite could imagine how it would be like to be without Yorùbá as their rightful mother tongue in the next few decades, their emotional state will be stirred.

“This is largely due to the fact that language is the most valuable single possession of the human race. The more hostile the attitude of the Yorùbá élite to the use of the language, the more it is devalued’’.