The Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyesosin, in this interview with Oluwole Ige, speaks about his 44 years on the throne, how to reinvigorate Yoruba culture and tradition, challenges of his community, role of traditional rulers among sundry issues. Excerpts:
Can you give us background history about yourself before you ascended the throne of Ogiyan of Ejigbo?
I was born January 25, 1936. I had a privilege and I still have it in the sense that my physique does not aptly show my age. In other words, I look younger than my age. That is the general opinion of people about me. Before I started western education in 1946, I was in Quranic school, but I did not finish my tutelage there. I backed out when I was very young because of what I considered then a cheat by my bosses. Bosses are very common in Quranic schools, I mean those who had been there before you. However, I graduated from primary school in 1954. In the same year, I passed an entrance examination into Eku School of Nursing, in the old Bendel State. My father felt that I was too small to go to nursing school. He thought if I went there and I broke a bottle of medicine, they would drive me out, so I was prevented from going there. So, I went back to the farm. I was in one of our farm plots one day when somebody came to give me the news that my father would want to see me at home immediately. The person said there is school founded by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, which bridged the gap between primary and secondary schools. The school was known then as modern school. In May 1955, I was admitted into a modern school. In 1957, I graduated from modern school. I taught for one year before I went to Grade 3 teachers’ college. My father died in 1960. I taught in a primary school between 1961 and 1963. Then, I went for a two-year course in Osogbo. I could not finish the programme. They thought I knew too much and I was referred in one subject out of 10. I obtained credit throughout, but was referred in the principle and practice of education. I didn’t repeat in the school, but I started teaching in my old secondary school. In 1969 I gained admission into the University of Ibadan and graduated in 1972. I was given automatic employment at Osogbo. From there, I went to Fiditi Grammar School. By then, my predecessor in office, the then Ogiyan of Ejigbo passed on. I was invited by my family to represent them and by the grace of God, my appointment was ratified on the 23rd of December, 1973. Coincidentally by December 31st of that year, the Ejigbo people came to me in Fiditi and carried me home. So, I taught for only one year and three months. But, I was lucky throughout because I came across some people who helped me very much. Chief Akanni Aluko is one of them, so also was the late Chief Adeseun Ogundoyin. Among the people I am talking about is the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao of blessed memory. Out of the three of them, only Akanni Aluko is living. I have put a complete 43 years on the throne and here I am by the grace of God on the 44th year on the throne. Coincidentally, I was installed as Ogiyan of Ejigbo on my birthday. All these great people I mentioned commandeered King Sunny Ade to play for me on April 25th, 1974 when I received my instruments of office. It was given to me by Canon Akinyemi, who was the father of Professor Bolaji Akinyemi. Canon Akinyemi was the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the then Western Region. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the Premier Western Region and the late Chief Lateef Adegbite was the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
Was there a prediction that you will become a king?
My mother told me so. She told me when I was very small and I didn’t take the matter seriously. At a point in time, my mother always reminded me that “you are a Masquerade and you don’t know your worth. The people of the town are looking at you”. Then, I became extremely cautious. When people fight me, I weep because I don’t know how to fight back. I was afraid of myself, just like a joke, the prediction of the other day became a reality, when I was installed in January 25, 1974
You are very rich in Yoruba culture and tradition. What is the secret behind that?
The secret is only the grace of God. God gave me a life and what people called a supportive means. I could remember one Serah Holding, an American youth was teaching me in Grade 2. She gave me a complete literary works of Williams Shakespeare as a parting gift. Then, she called me a renaissance man, meaning somebody capable of doing everything equally well. I came across renaissance in the ancient history. But, I didn’t know what she meant then. So, if you ask me now that I practised culture, I would tell you that I was born with it and I developed it because I realised its importance. God empowered me for everything.
As a traditional ruler and somebody who is versed in Yorurba culture, customs and tradition, are you not worried that Yoruba culture and tradition are fast going into extinction by the over bearing influence of Western culture?
You are very correct. When you say culture, you did not add religion. Some people nowadays if they are called Adeyefa, they would change their name to Adeyeoluwa. So, religion has contributed much to the backwardness of our tradition and customs. Secondly, through the western education in the home, our children listen to more of English than the native language of their fathers. So, if as young as one year old, a child has started to speak English, he or she would behave like an English man and not as a Yoruba man or woman. Education and religion have been and would continue to be problem to Yoruba culture and tradition.
But, what can we do to reverse this trend and ensure that our culture and tradition are not eroded by western education and religion?
I would quote the late Nnamdi Azikiwe. When we were having problems, he said we had to go back to the basis and start all over. He called it political irredentism. He maintained that we had to go back to the source or basis. If we want to improve our culture, we just have to go back to the beginning or basis. If we can’t go back, we have to change the curriculum. But, the religion is still there. When you see somebody instead of being called Ogundare, he would say he is Oluwadare. A Yoruba child is being named Josiah simply because they came across Josiah in the Bible. We should re examine our trend regarding religion and education so that it doesn’t affect the identity of our culture and tradition. We should do what I earlier referred to as irredentism, which means going back to the basis.
What are the socio-economic infrastructures that you think this Ejigbo community still lack?
We are at this stage. All what we lack that can take us to the next stage are those things we have to concern ourselves with.
Some people have been advocating for the involvement of traditional rulers in the government of the country. They are of the view that they should be given a role to play constitutionally. What is your take on this?
Personally, I want Nigerians, whether inside or outside the government, to realise that they need traditional rulers. Personally, I would not want government to give us any constitutional role. The moment they give us a role, we are subject to the constitution and if we have to do our things constitutionally, then we are politicians. I don’t want Obas to be politicians. Like they usually run after politicians, they would run after us too. If they give us any role, then we would ask for more like Oliver Twist. If you are given a role , you are given responsibility and if you are given responsibility without authority, what is the essence. But, the moment they give you authority, you have become part and parcel of the politicians.
The popular juju music meastro, King Sunny Ade had at one time or the other sang praise of you, how do you feel about it?
I feel surprised because I was nothing. He made people to believe that I was something. But, whatever would be would be.
Since your have been on the throne, going to 44 years now, you look very much younger than your age. What is the secret?
It is the grace of God. Secondly, it is contentment. If I am rich or poor, I am alright. If I am poor and I am not alright, I would look for money by all means. Then, looking for money would involve attendant worry. Worries makes people wear. So, if I am rich or not I am always alright. I am contented with whatever God has done for me. Above all, the grace of God is sufficient for me. But, if you want to be successful, your ambition must tally with the wish of God. If you are ambitious past what God is ready to do for you, you worry. So, I call it double coincidence. What God wanted me to be is what I can be. I cannot go beyond it. The Yoruba says through worry and personal efforts, one cannot add a single day to his life or days he would spend on earth.
What is the major challenge or difficulties you have faced in the past 44 years on the throne?
I feel satisfied for everything. I have no problem. Whatever I am today is the will of God. I cannot exceed it. To aspire to exceed the will of God is difficult and unattainable. God has created and I would not go beyond the limit of the ambition God has for me.
Ejigbo people are known to be very enterprising, with many of them doing excellently well in commerce and industry, not only in Nigeria, but in some African countries, such as like Ivory Coast, Ghana, Gabon and so on. What informed these attributes?
Only God knows. But, I know if you are what you don’t like, you have to change it. Probably, when they cannot achieve much, locally, they went outside to struggle. However, doing very well in their business is a variation. As you have people who are very rich, you also have those who are poor. It is only the rich you know. You have never gone to know the poor.
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