Ile-Ife belongs to all Yoruba and should be respected —Oloba of Oba-Ile

The recent inauguration of the organising committee has set the ball rolling for the first coronation anniversary of Oba Adekunle Oyeyemi, the Oloba of Oba-Ile, Osun State. In this interview by TUNDE BUSARI, the traditional ruler who revealed that he is leaving no stone unturned for a successful occasion talked about his relationship with the Ooni of Ife, relevance of Ife to Yorubaland and other issues.

Last week, you inaugurated a committee to organize your one year coronation anniversary. What are your expectations and particularly the term of reference for the committee?

There is nothing more than delivering a befitting anniversary that will replicate the coronation in terms of attracting eminent personalities to the town to see what God has done in the past one year. I have confidence in the committee because of its composition which includes experienced personalities who are not new in such organization. Some of the members have in the past been involved in bigger events. This will definitely make the job easy for them. And as I told them, what is worth doing at all is worth doing well. And I have no doubt in my mind that they are already on course. The committee comprises male and female to tell you how balanced it is. Just wait and see what will happen.

Your anniversary is in April, is the preparation not too early?

It is not early. I can even tell you that I already had it in mind soon after my coronation last year. How many years does it take the world football governing body to organize an edition of the world cup? Four years! That is why you always see a grand event from the opening ceremony to the final match when the stadium is filled to the capacity. I don’t believe in the fire brigade approach whereby you are forced to rush things and leave undone important things you should do. What am I saying? My background does not even encourage fire brigade approach. Answer to your question is that this is the right time to start a programme that will hold in April. As a matter of fact, how many days are left in January? February is here, meaning that we have only eight weeks left to the anniversary. Can you see what I mean? Again, it is not early unless one does not know what he wants.

Can you name one achievement that deserves celebrating in the last one year?

It must be recalled that when I came, what I met on ground was a people driven by individualism as against communal life lived by our forefathers. I expected to see the same thing when I came. But I am happy to inform you that we are returning back to the days of our forefathers. We are now seeing one another as a whole that must not allow ourselves to be divided for any reason. I am achieving this unity and we are going to achieve more. If this alone is my achievement in one year, I am happy because where unity is lacking, peace is elusive. There must always be issues to score and fights to settle. Therefore, I appreciate my people, from my chiefs to the entire people of the town at home and in the Diaspora.

Since you returned from your former base in Canada, have you had cause to return there?

Yes, I was there July last year. I was part of the delegate of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Eniitan Ogunwusi, who was on his usual cultural reawakening journey. Don’t forget he had visited the UK and the US earlier. North American was the next turn and the reception was impressive.

How were you received given the fact that you left as a prince and returned as a traditional ruler?

It was interesting to return to my people out there. We were received well. Because it was the Ooni’s trip, the effect was not much. After we returned to Nigeria, Olori and I returned back and spent about 50 days. It was really a memorable return. People were excited seeing one of them becoming an Oba back home. It was fun.

Leaving such an organized country, where Nigerians desperately run to for obvious reasons, must have been a hard decision for you when you were returning to become the Oloba. How do you cope in your town given the visible difference?

Let me say I don’t see what you are talking about. Yes, things are better organized in that part of the world. Yes, infrastructural facilities are working well. Yes, there is hope and prospects. But none of the above compares to serving your fatherland. I have put all the glamour, all the prospects, all the opportunities out there behind me. I have a mission here; a mission to serve and elevate my town and my people. It is a divine mission, which I cannot run away from. So, I am not missing my past out there because this is a new life decreed by God. I am very happy to tell you that impacts are gradually manifesting. My vision is clear and no sacrifice is too much to achieve it. I am cool here. Home is home while abroad will remain abroad. I am back home. I am here with my people and we are all happy.

I also learnt that you led your people to Ile-Ife where you met the Ooni. What was the real purpose of the visit?

The visit was after the New Year, in the first week of this year. We had scheduled it since last year but had to wait till when we finally made it there. It was an historical journey back home; journey back to the cradle. We discovered some artifacts here which established our strong connection with Ile-Ife. We just decided to back it up with a formal visit. About 50 of us went and it was a memorable visit. The Ooni hosted us well. We visited some important historical sites. We went to the palace of Oduduwa and other important places in Ile-Ife. I think the visit to Ile-Ife should be a routine thing for all the Yoruba because of its sacred status as the cradle of the race. I have not read another version of history which traced the origin of Yoruba to another town. This means Ile-Ife belongs to all of us and should be respected as home for all.

You were in Canada with the Ooni and you also led your people to him weeks ago. Does this mean you have a special relationship with him?

I have just said it. As long as Ile-Ife remains the cradle of the Yoruba race, we have no choice than to build a good relationship with the Ooni. It is not about ego; it is about Yoruba history which gives Ile-Ife that status. So, it is not a matter of personal relationship or not. It is about our race.

How do you describe the Ooni going by your familiarity with him?

The Ooni is a civilized monarch whose experience is invaluable to the throne. He is exposed and pleasant to be with. He symbolizes royalty.

What is your impression on the new set traditional rulers across Yoruba towns now?

It is a positive development; it is a credit to the Yoruba. Youthfulness goes with energy; energy to move around and network for the development of town. I am always very pleased being in the midst of my fellow Obas where we discuss issues based on individual exposure. We are professionals who have accomplished some things before we came to the throne. There is no way this experience will not impact on our towns. My advice is that we should live up to the expectations of our people who put us there. We should always remember the number of contestants before we were eventually selected. If we have this in mind, we will understand why we must not fail our people.