Your ascendancy to the throne last year followed the usual contest with others, how have you calmed frayed nerves?
I am happy to inform you, based on this question, that I have, in the past one years, stretched my hand of love to other contestants and the entire people of Ile-Igbon. I have made them to realise that the throne is a divine call and nothing more than that. It is not a position which money can buy, in the true sense of it. It is more than that. God must have destined the occupier of the throne even before he was born. This is an aspect of life which I want people to think about and understand. Nothing can and will happen to anyone without prior knowledge of God, who, of course, created the person.
You sound somehow philosophical with this question. Have you mended fence with your co-contestants?
I have done my best in reaching out to them. And I am happy to say that I have achieved so such. But I am positive that we are working towards achieving total reconciliation, after all, everything is all about development of our town and making it a town of our collective dream. Ile-Igbon, I must remind you, is an ancient town with a very rich history in gallantry and industry. We were not a pushover among other Yoruba towns. Go and check Yoruba history and confirm my claim. That is why I am one of the first class traditional rulers in Oyo State Council of Obas under the chairmanship of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi.
You just reminded me of that council, how can you describe the leadership of your chairman?
My experience so far in the council has taught me some lessons in leadership. I am specifically making reference to the Alaafin. He is an epitome of traditional authority, either in his words or his actions on issues. I think, this accounts for his influence that cuts across and even spreads beyond here. I also think his long years on the throne since 1971 has impacted so much on him that when he talks, he does with strong messages. There is no doubt that we are fast learning the rope.
Can you update the public on the state of the palace you promised last year that you would build?
I am pleased to inform you that the project is ongoing, and a part of it will soon be ready for commissioning by Governor Abiola Ajimobi. The master plan comprises 10 buildings but one is near completion now with four big living rooms and 10 rooms. Grass planting is already done. It is a huge project on eight acres of land. I know where I am coming from. So, I know the palace that will complement the status. My town, as a matter of fact, deserves a befitting palace that will, on its own be a tourists’ attraction to visitors. We are on course.
Aside the palace you are constructing, what are other new things your last one year on the throne has witnessed?
It may interest you to know that the C&S (Cherubim and Seraphim) Church is relocating its world headquarters to my town. This is a giant stride, as far as development is concerned. I have given them more land to make this good news a reality as soon as possible. Work is ongoing. You need to visit the place and see the level of construction works going on there. I am happy that this is happening to me barely one year on the throne. And it is just a tip of the iceberg on the physical transformation coming to Ile-igbon during my reign.
You just returned from a trip, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to Brazil. Could you do a brief review of that trip?
By all standards of assessment, it was a successful trip because we met the people, the Afro-Brazilians who cherish and value Yoruba culture even more than we do back home. It was interesting to witness these very enthusiastic people. We went to a place ‘Aye’ in Salvador, Bahia State. That site has a strong connection with slavery. We had lunch with the people there and they were touched. The Oonirisa, leader of the team, signed a pact making Salvador an extension of Ile-Ife part of Oodua nation. It was an historic moment when the Oonirisa was putting pen on paper. We were able to showcase our culture through our dresses and total comportment which earned us a lot of respect at public places including airports. All of us on that trip had one or two things to say, as regards the benefits derived from it. Yoruba is indeed blessed with rich heritage, only that we seem to undermine it. But with that tour, there is no going back, as charged by the Oonirisa, in our efforts to revive our culture and market it to the larger world. We have it, and we are not going to allow foreigners to come and teach us our language.
The Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi recently distributed 36 cars to some traditional rulers in the state. How significant is that presentation?
I guess you saw me at the event in Ibadan to understand how I was able to feel the mood of the traditional rulers who went home with these automobiles. They were visibly happy to be beneficiaries of the gesture. The importance of it is that the vehicles will aid their movements from their towns to different places they want to go. Another importance is that it showed the kind of leader Governor Ajimobi is and also the type of administration he is running in the state. The governor knows some of the challenges faced by these traditional rulers and came to their aid at the appropriate time. You needed to be at the ceremony to appreciate what I am talking about better. Everybody was happy. How would you react to the fact that some traditional rulers travel on motorcycles to visit neighbouring towns? That is the picture. It is not all traditional rulers that can afford latest automobile because fingers are not equal just as towns are not also of the same size and population and opportunities.
Do you like the one given to you?
I was not one of the beneficiaries because of my status in the council. The Alaafin of Oyo was also not given and other first class Obas. But I must tell you that ours are coming. Governor Ajimobi is a fair governor who does things in a way you cannot quickly understand unless one thinks deeply. He is a great thinker. I think, his previous experience in the corporate world really helped him. But in this life, it is difficult to satisfy everybody. One should not even try it because it is going to be exercise in futility. I don’t think God created the world for such to happen. But what is most important is the best you do according to your conviction. Once this is done, you are okay. Leave the rest for God. That is my principle of living my life even before I became the Olugbon.
At a book launch at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife last week, you expressed a soft spot for womanhood. What informed this?
My remark was not accidental. It wasn’t made because that event was in honour of the heroine ‘Moremi’. The remark represented my natural mindset for womanhood. We should stop deceiving ourselves, God endows our women with special attributes, which we should better accept and appreciate. I am an advocate of giving women opportunity to express themselves in higher capacities. There are evidence here in Nigeria and in other countries where they do far better, both in private and public service. All we need to do in this country is to encourage them with sincere support. They can move mountains. They can restore the lost glory for Nigeria. Again, I am saying it with all emphasis that our women are capable to take Nigeria to where it ought to be.
and then