In Igbein, Yoruba traditional rulers embrace social media for unity

It was a gathering of crowns and horsetails inside the palatial auditorium of the Olu of Igbein, Ogun State, Oba Oluwole Makinde penultimate Thursday when traditional rulers from different Yoruba towns and community converged to seek better ways of forging united front among themselves.

One area on which they delightfully reached a consensus was the use of social media as instrument of harmonious relationship with one another. In twos and threes, the traditional rulers, in colourful attires, arrived Obafemi Owode Local Government Council community and splendidly walked into the venue of the event amidst drum and praise.

The hosting monarch, Oba Makinde was seated in a special chair which sharply distinguished him from his guests. Yet he was receiving them with warm smiles indicative of satisfaction that he had a full compliment of the expected traditional rulers at the occasion.

The Ogun State Cultural troop, which is said to have represented Nigeria at series of international cultural fiesta, was adding flavor to the gathering with its intermittent sound and songs in praise of the traditional rulers.

After the opening prayer offered by the Onimeran of Meran, Oba Samuel Adeluja and introduction of the monarchs in attendance by the Onitetiku Ota, Oba Wasiu Adeyanju, the stage was set for lecture by Oba Olasole of Lasole, Oba Jacob Olutayo to deliver a brief lecture.

The articulate monarch gave more than expected from him with his effortless exploring Bible, Quran and traditional faith to drive home his point on need for traditional rulers to play their sacred role well as father and custodian of their subjects.

He impressed the gathering with the magical workings of social media in cementing relationship, especially among lost friends and relations, adding that traditional rulers should not be left behind in the race to enjoy the benefit of the technology.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Jide Ojuko could not make it to Igbein. However, Director of Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Dolapo Adewunmi, stood in for him and delivered his keynote address to the forum.

Ojuko applauded the sensitisation programme on cultural empowerment and stated government’s efforts at according traditional institution respect with a view to projecting it right to other ethnic groups within and beyond the shores of Nigeria.

“I wish to place on record that the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has a mandate to ensure that matters affecting traditional rulers in the state receive prompt attention and serve as the Secretariat of the State Council of Traditional Rulers. It has been playing a vital role in the HRM Heritage Forum, both financially and morally.

“Let me also use this opportunity to appreciate the founding fathers of the Forum, especially, the Grand Patron, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Grand Host, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo and the Chief Host, the Olu of Igbein, Oba Oluwole Makinde and other Royal Fathers who came from the South West States.  Their contributions towards the HRM Heritage Forum had gone a long way in uplifting and sustaining the culture and traditions of the people” he said.

The Aladesanyin of Odo-Noforija Kingdom, Lagos State, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja emerged the star monarch at the occasion by his appointment as the President-General of the Heritage Forum. The appointment had the trapping of a coup detat because Oba Ogunlaja had no inkling of the arrangement.

He was caught unawares during the presentation by the Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism who doubles as the Co- Founder of the Forum, BashorunMuyiwa Oladipo. The former Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly between 1999 and 2003 announced the name of Oba Ogunlaja and stamped it.

Until he was named, Oba Ogunlaja was the chairman, Lagos State Chapter of the forum. He accepted the offer and consequently showed appreciation to his colleagues for their confidence reposed in him.

The news received ovation of other traditional rulers after which they rose from their seats to pay homage to their new president. Oladipo said the choice of Oba Ogunlaja aligned with his vision for creating the forum, a vision, which he said would be nurtured to its full potentials as peace mechanism.

“I am happy that we have succeeded in the effective use of whatsapp platform among our traditional rulers. We have also succeeded in creating Queens Forum where wives of our traditional rulers also share ideas.

• l’ll never forget the day I was given palmwine for anaesthetics —Bankole

“We are not going to rest on our oars. HRM Forum is a parent body which has other forums namely; Heritage Television and Radio, Queen’s Forum and the Heritage Application, created to provide easier communication networks, where indigenes could logged- in online  and have unhindered access to history, local contents and happenings in their hometown, irrespective of their location.

“Tourism is the alternate source of revenue now world over, and God has endowed Yorubaland with lots of tourism sites. It is high time we showcased this goldmine to the world. That is what we are going to explore now. I appreciate your cooperation so far and seeking more of your cooperation so that our children living abroad would always be proud of their race in their different places of abode,” he remarked.

Oba Ogunlaja appreciated the gathering and revealed that many of the traditional rulers present at the event were meeting physically for the first time. “There is need for us as traditional rulers to work together for the unity of Yoruba and Nigeria as a whole,” he stated.

For their respective roles in promoting Yoruba institution through their works, about five personalities, including the Director of Media to the Ooni of Ife, Moses Olafarewere bestowed with Certificate of Recognition.

Other recipients of the honour included the Olu of Igbein, Oba Makinde, a veteran Journalist and Baaroyin of Egbaland, Olotu Lai Labode, an Assistant Editor of Nigerian Tribune, Mr Tunde Busari, Mr Kayode Ekundayo, Daily Trust, Mr Bolaji Akeem, NTA 10, Engineer Ajibola Abiola, Director of National Broadcast Academy, Mrs. Oluwaseun Boye, Ogun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Head of Media Unit, Mr Nehemiah Adegor, CEO, Founder 9jalatest.ng and Mr Timothy Odedina, Dozen Host LTD.

A Co-founder of the forum, Otunba Adeleke was delighted for the success of the event, promising more programmes to keep the forum moving towards achieving its long term goal.

The Ogun State Cultural troupe was joined by another group known as Efa Troupe, and the two performing groups thrilled the audience with their dexterity on drum. A lady bata drummer in Efa troupe won more applause for her group during her act. Traditional rulers and other guests could not hold themselves as they appreciated her with Naira note for the skillful and style with which she played bata drum, considered as exclusive vocation for male folk.

Other traditional rulers at the event included, the Laroka Wanikin, Ife Kingdom, Oba Bankole the Ologuro of Oguro, Oba Asimiyu Agboluaje; the Olowu of Ilemowu, Oba Oguleye Sikiru Omoyemi, the Oloja of Agberire, Oba Jacob Alajide, the Onisara of Feesu, Oba Alamu, the Oluaje of Foritaje, Oba Agbodanwu, the Olumakin of Ogunmakin, Oba James Oligbenga, the Alade Uraka of Poka land, Oba Ayodele Aliru, the Adegbajo of Odogbawajo, Oba Mufutau Ogunnuka, the Elewekoro of Ewekoro, Oba Isau Adeola Balogun.