An Oba should not be partisan —Olowu of Kuta

The Olowu of Owu-Kuta in Osun State, Oba Adekunle Oyelude is a reporter’s delight any day. He is urbane yet deep in Yoruba culture. His strongest point lies in his simplicity and attractive disposition. He speaks with TUNDE BUSARI in his palace on his life and style and vision for his town. Excerpts:

You always appear simple despite your royal status. Don’t you see this as bringing the aura of the throne down?

What do you mean by bringing the aura of the throne down? What sin have I committed by living my true life on the throne? Being a traditional ruler does not make me God. So I must not equate myself with God for any reason. Of course, there are some things a traditional ruler is not expected to do because of his status but this does not mean he should see himself in the picture of God as I said. If you say I am simple, I want to consider it a compliment. I want to also tell you that that is me. That is my person right from when I was  a prince.

Can we say your long stay in the Northern part of Nigeria is responsible for this?

Perhaps, you should rather say my contacts and relationship across all ethnic groups in the country is responsible. I have friends everywhere and I understand that this life is better to be lived simple. I am used to not allowing anything under the sun to bother me. I believe that what God has destined will definitely come to pass. And as a Muslim, I believe so much in this important article of faith. That is, belief in one’s destiny.

So, your elevation to the throne is manifestation of your destiny, not the wish of your people?

I have once told you the circumstance leading to my emergence as the Olowu and I don’t think we should repeat that now. You will recall that my returning home to the throne was made possible not by my power or anything but by the power of destiny. Many people have got message that they would become something but ended up becoming something else. That is the power of their destiny. God is greater than human beings who see prophesy. My people’s  massive support for me is the manifestation of my destiny.

What then do you think has changed in you since you ascended the throne?

As I said, I remain myself except that I now find myself in the gathering of traditional rulers. Not only that, people, young and old, prostrate and kneel down before me. Not only that, I am restricted from doing certain things according to the culture and tradition. Not only that, my public appearance is royal with all paraphernalia of the throne. Apart from all these changes, I remain myself Hammed AdekunleOyelude. Okay, Makama, my popular name before I came to the palace, is no longer called.

You said you are restricted from doing certain things. Does this suggest the throne is a burden?

How can you say the throne is a burden? Or what exactly do you mean by burden? The restriction I was talking of is for the preservation of the sanctity and authority of the throne as bequeathed to us by our forefathers. It is about our culture and its projection to the outside world. If it is a burden, many princes would not want to become Oba and till the kingdom come, princes will always contest for the throne of their forefathers. The throne is a call to service and also position of honour. Unlike political office, which is terminal, the throne is not, unless something happens.

What is the something sir?

You know what I mean but it happens on a rare occasion. An Oba is expected to enjoy his reign till God calls him to go and join his ancestors.

You are seen as somehow close to the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni  Rauf Aregbesola. Is there any special relationship between you and the governor?

In fairness to you, Ogbeni Aregbesola operates and maintains an open door policy, as far as I know. This is to tell you that everybody is close to him as long as you have genuine cause to be close to him. He is a down to heart governor I have ever seen. He is very frank and sensitive to issue concerning the traditional rulers. Without the fear of being misrepresented, he is a governor God sent to Osun State because what he has done so far has shown that if he had access to enough fund, he would have totally transformed the state. I have had a reason to differ with him and he took it lightly and explained his constraint after which I appreciated him better.

Don’t you think you sound like a member of a political party?

I don’t sound like a member of a party because I am not. I am only stating the truth as I see it and as you too can verify. Before you return to Ibadan, take some time to drive round the towns and speak with sincere people. A traditional ruler is not expected to be partisan because we are the father of all members of all political parties. But this does not mean we should not encourage whoever is doing well.

I saw you in some trendy shirts and trousers and almost missed your identity. How do you feel in those stuffs as a traditional ruler usually decked in agbada?

I told you earlier that being on the throne does not make me a totally different person. I enjoy my casuals as much as I enjoy my agbada. The only difference is that I don’t always wear them unlike when I was out there. Whenever I travel out, I wear casual that suits the environment. But you would be surprised that foreigners are attracted to our agbada, especially the white. They like it when they see us at the airport. That means our culture we are not promoting here is still attractive to those whose culture we are copying. It is a funny world.

Alhaji Akande Abass Obesere was on the band stand on your coronation day. I always see you excerpting some of his tracks during your private talks. Does this suggest Obesere is your favourite musician?

I don’t know you take notice of this and it is funny. My relationship with Obesere is beyond his music. It is that of godfather and godson. I have always seen him as a focused man who does not joke with his music career. He is full of energy and always optimistic. That is my kind of personality. During the yuletide, he was here in the palace with his family. He came to pay homage as he usually does. If you call him my favourite musician, you are on the track.

Your town has a tourism potential which is not yet tapped. What is your plan to explore this area?

I think I should not make my plan public yet. But be assured that we are going to open up the town to the tourists. Anlugba is our asset in that regard. We are definitely going to let the world know more about it. Anlugba connects all Owu towns across the length and breadth of Yorubaland together. Just watch as my plan unfolds in years to come.

Our youths seem to be on a fast track to success with their involvement in shady deals including criminalities. What is your take on this sir?

No father will sit down and be happy with the rate our youths are going. It is unfortunate that our value system which emphasizes had work is being undermined. But I must say that not all the youth are involved. We still have some who really know what they are doing and doing very well both at home and abroad. I want to advise the government to make employment opportunity available. This is a first step to tackle crime. When this is done, then the security agencies should be better equipped to enforce law properly. Nigeria is a great nation in which I believe.