Obas, Yoruba tradition can end kidnapping, insecurity in South-West —Adeyemi, Oluwo Ifa Agbaye

There have been reports of insecurity and kidnappings in many Yoruba states, with most people fearing an invasion of the region by external aggressors. As a traditionalist, are you bothered and what do you think can be done?

Yes, I am bothered. All well-meaning individuals and true Yoruba sons and daughters should be bothered. It is not about being a traditionalist, a Christian or a Muslim; the insecurity situation should be of concern to all of us. This is particularly so because there is this growing concern that some forces outside the Yorubaland are interested in disrupting the peace of the region.

I do not want to hastily generalise by saying that Fulani men are behind the increasing attacks on the South-West like some people have been doing. That will be against the spirit of religious tolerance, which is what my foundation, the Fasola Oyinbo Ifa (FOI) Foundation, preaches. In fact, I have always cautioned people not to pigeon-hole an ethnic group or a particular religion as being responsible for the country’s insecurity challenges. That will only cause tension and disharmony among us and we cannot afford to continue to toe that dangerous path, which has inhibited our progress for too long. But we should all be bothered by the insecurity situation and come round as a people to find a common solution.

There are many things that can be done by the Yoruba states to curb insecurity and kidnapping. I am happy that the state governors have proposed a security summit, while the Aare Ona Kakanfo, Aare Gani Adams, has also spoken about the Yoruba taking actions…

But is there anything Ifa can do to save the South-West in this situation?

You need to understand the concept of Ifa. It is first about divination; you divine first before you talk about solving problem. If you don’t consult Ifa with your problems, he will not dabble in your affairs. Orunmila is not meddlesome. There are many things Ifa can do, but has anyone asked for Ifa’s help? If as a people in Yorubaland, we want the ‘ancestors’ to help us overcome the security challenges, they will. But you will have to seek their help.

• DAWN DG, Famakinwa: His death a tragedy for Yoruba race ―Gani Adams

You mean the Yorubaland should go consult Ifa as a people?

No. That is where the society is getting it wrong. We are Yorubas and we are without history and qualities that distinguish us from others. The Yorubaland was praised by the colonial masters for having an organised royal institution that made governing easy. It was similar to their democracy. We have our royal fathers and a sound traditional institution system that places decision-making on the general welfare of the town in the hands of sagely elders. What happened to that system?

The traditional rulers in Yoruba should not just be ceremonial heads; they are much more important than that. And let me tell you, if they are allowed and empowered by the governors at this critical time, they can end the insecurity and kidnapping in no time. You know that for quite a long time, there have been agitations that traditional rulers should be given a constitutional role. With the increase in insecurity, I can tell you that the time has come for government at all levels to look in that direction and give the royal fathers more responsibilities.

Apart from government looking at restoring some key functions to royal fathers, I also think it is high time our governments in Yoruba land looked into how to preserve our culture and language. The South-West is treading on dangerous grounds in terms of the erosion of the values and culture of the Yoruba. So, I advise the governors that apart from the security summit they have planned, they should also consider a summit on culture to address the erosion of our culture and values. As an individual, I have been trying to restore and preserve culture by ensuring that we get school children to relive and imbibe the values and cultures of the Yoruba during major events such as Children’s Day and others. My NGO has an annual programme known as Asa Day, to celebrate our culture. During the May 27 Children’s Day celebration, we still conducted an event on how to rejuvenate our culture. We had school children compete in completing Yoruba proverbs, interpreting the sayings of talking drum, Yoruba dance and other aspects of the Yoruba culture. But governments can reach more people and do more to preserve our culture on a bigger stage.