Five states, one kingdom: Obasanjo, traditional leaders storm Iwo for Owu unification

The 27th Owu National Convention held in Iwo, Osun State brought together crème-de-la-creme of Owu indigenes for two days. TUNDE BUSARI reports the thrills and frills of the gathering.

Though arriving behind schedule, the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo last Saturday made it to Iwo, Osun state where the Royal Union of Owu People (RUOP) was holding its 27 Owu National Convention at the Kings Riverside Holiday Resort along Ibadan road.

Alongside traditional rulers as well as prominent sons and daughters of Owu extraction, Obasanjo demonstrated solidarity with his root adorning the uniform Ankara fabrics and missing freely with all in attendance.There was, however, apprehension on his likely absence, a situation which gave way for optimism when the news that his chopper had landed on the field of Baptist High School, Iwo leaked.

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Following the breaking news, the whole hall was in frenzy looking forward to see Obasanjo in their midst. And by the time he arrived into the waiting hands of the royal fathers led by the Chairman, Supreme Council of Owu Obas, Oba Adekunle Oyelude, it was a charged hall that ushered him to his seat on the high platform.

The previous Friday,December 7, 2018, the Iwo Central Mosque had played host to the special thanksgiving arranged by the union, an event that announced the presence of Owu people drawn from five states of the federation and in the diaspora in Iwo. Good and affordable hotels in the town were immediate beneficiaries as tens of visitors needed to pass a night in the town.

As the jummat service was rounded off, the visitors went straight to the business with the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union holding its meeting, which was presided over by the Chairman of Supreme Council of Owu Obas, the Olowu of Owu Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama.

At the end of the session where far-reaching issues were debated, the NEC rose and ratified another two-year tenure for the president of the union, Major General Ekundayo Opaleye (rtd) led executive, which was severally described as effective and result-oriented.

Oba Makama was excited by the outcome of the NEC meeting pointing it out that the conduct of the meeting attested to the sophistication and civilization of the Owu people. The monarch said one good turn deserves another, hence the ratification of the executive new tenure.

“As a journalist, I expect you to also find out why the exco was given another term. In plain language, it is evidence of their stewardship as one who should be encouraged to pilot the plane owing to the commitment and leadership quality demonstrated by the president.

“I am, therefore, congratulating him and other members of his team. I am urging them to take the union to higher height we expect from them. You can go and ask others about how they had carried out their duties to further confirm my remark on them. We are blessed in Owu, and this is one of the evidences,” he said.

Among the resolutions reached at the NEC meeting included seeking support for the government to conduct credible and peaceful general elections in 2019. The meeting urged Owu people to participate actively in politics based on respective choice of political parties. The meeting promised to remain a socio-cultural body which is not tied to any political party. The NEC also congratulated the new Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola and urged him to live up to his pre-election promises to the electorate. They also promised the support of the union to the government. Also, the meeting challenged the Owus to encourage their wives to engage in arts and crafts with a view to empowering them against the current economy.

The success of the NEC meeting was celebrated at the Gala Night that stretched till the dawn of the following day. During the fun-filled gathering, the atmosphere brought out the beauty of the existing unity among Owu people. It was a complete relaxation moment dancing to live band and series of cultural performances including exhibition of art and craft made by Owu women.

Before the Saturday session commenced the people had converged on Almaroma Baptist Church, Hospital road, Iwo for another thanksgiving during which the officiating minister was said to have drawn a comparism between the Owus and the Jews.

It was learnt that the Olowu Kuta complemented the minister of God by telling the church that an Owu son approved the Bowen University owned by the Baptist. The revelation was said to have received applause and laughter among the congregation.

After the thanksgiving the train moved back to the Kings Riverside Holiday Resort, the frontage of which had then became a beehive of economic and cultural activities with retailers doing their business and exhibition going on simultaneously.

Obasanjo was the proverbial big masquerade which takes last dance because soon after he left the podium, the programme was rounded off. However, he did not leave without dropping a political message, which earned him loud ovation. He did not particularly campaign for any candidate but told the electorate to review the last three years first before they cast their votes atthe next elections.

“Whoever says the last three years and half years are good years for him economically needs to be asked on the secret which is not in public domain. Secondly, each state should look carefully before you leap so that we don’t leap before we look. God did not make Nigeria a failed nation. The people in power make it so. But enough is enough. A word is enough for the wise. I am not going to be a part of what is not good again,” he stated.

Before he dropped his political words, Obasanjo had earlier tendered apology to the large and attentive audience over his lateness to the event, explaining his trip to Delta State from where he flew to Iwo. He further said that he was being expected in Iperu, Ogun State after which he would jet out to Egypt in the night. The former president acknowledged the art works shown to him by Owu women and advised their menfolk to give them needed support to expand their vocations as a fight against poverty.

General Opaleye, in his speech, appreciated the commitment shown by the Owu people and asked them not to rest on their oars, adding that the union still had a long journey to tread in order to achieve the aim of the founding father. He also appreciated the attendance by Obasanjo despite a plausible reason to miss it.

Going down memory lane, the former governor of Ondo State during the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, traced the origin of the union to the late Balogun of Owu Kingdom, Chief Akin Olugbade who had the vision to reunite Owu people after the 1821-1826 war that dispersed them from their homestead.

“He then identified some Owu sons and daughters under the chairmanship of Chief Afolabi Fadairo who was the then Oganla of Owu, Abeokuta. Chief Akin Olugbade went to most Yoruba nation and invited some notable Owu sons and daughters to a dinner at Gateway Hotel, Abeokuta in 1986. After that dinner, not much was heard about this union because for over 13 years, there was no Oba Olowu in Abeokuta,” He said.

He recalled that Obasanjo in 1992 felt that Olugbade effort should not be wasted and came up with a lunch in his Ota Farm where he was said to have raised some pertinent issues on Owu people.

“At that lunch I remember a tentative meeting was followed. The following Owu leaders were present at that luncheon; Dr Onaolapo Soleye, Prince Bola Ajibola, Mr Doja Adewolu, Alhaji M. Ola Yusuf, Arc Wale Adisa Odeleye. Alhaji M. Ola Yusuf took it upon himself to move round the Owu settlements and carry out the plan to bring the Owu people under one umbrella,” Opaleye said.

The origin of the Owus, unlike other historical accounts, raises no serious argument as Nigerian Tribune findings have revealed that one Ajibosin, a grandson of Oduduwa was the progenitor of the Owus having received his crown from Oduduwa right from his childhood.

Ajibosin, a son of Oduduwa’s daughter called Iyunade, was said to have always cried on the lap of his grandfather whenever a crown was placed on his head and removed. He would only stop when the crown was returned to his head. Oduduwa, thus, decreed that Ajibosi should be made king at his adulthood.

That directive was strictly respected, resulting in Ajibosin relocating to a place below the Niger. His father, Obatala, was reputed for his cotton farm, hence the Ajimosin named ‘Omo Olowu’ (Son of cotton farmer).

In the words of the Olori Igbimo Apomu, Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta, Olufemi Osanyinjobi, “Ajibosin was to inherit a large chunk of the cotton farm which formed the bedrock of his original Owu Kingdom at the fringe of the Nupe country. Ajibosi’s new nickname after he relocated accompanied by six iwarefas to his father’s hometown among the Nupes in response to is being the son of Baba Olowu, the cotton farmer.”

The Owus would later settle in Orile Owu, Osun State. The 1821-1826 war, however, dealt a devastating blow to the people as they were forced to disperse and find settlement in different parts of Yorubaland. Today, the Owu towns and communities are located in five South west states including Kwara and Benin Republic.

Some of the towns include: Orile Owu, Owu Kuta, Owu Ibadan, Owu Igbotele, Owu Isin, Owu Ijebu, Owu Obaloyan, Owu Ikosi, Owu Oke Ode, Owu Okeya Ipo, Owu Ileogbo, Telemu, Erunmu, Owu Epe, Owu Mosafejo, Owu Obaloyan, Owu Ilemowu, Owu Gbawojo, Olowu Iji, Owu Ile, Owu Mushin, Owu Igboye, Owu Oke Ode, Owu Ajaawa, Owu Ifo,Owu Ogbaagbaa, Owu Ilobu, Owu Modakeke, OwuEpe Ijesa, Owu Ifo, Owu Gbongan, among others.

As a result of their population, they have produced men and women who had distinguished themselves in public and corporate service over the years. They include Obasanjo, former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Bola Ajibola, former Minister of Finance, Dr Onaolapo Soleye, Retired judge, Bola Babalakin, former Governor of Ondo State, Brigadier-General Ekundayo Opaleye, the late Chief Akin Olugbade, former minister in the late General Abacha regime, Chief Wole Oyelese, former Secretary to Osun State Government, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade among others.