Obedu festival has strengthened unity in my town —Oba Oyeyemi

 The entire Oba-Ile town in Osun State was recently lighted up by the celebration of Obedu festival. Sons and daughter of the serene town returned home and identified with their progenitor. The Oloba of Oba-Ile, Oba AdekunleAsamuOyeyemi, in an interview by TUNDE BUSARI reviews the cultural gathering and promises improved editions in future. Excerpts:

 

You had Obedu Festival and large attendance of your sons and daughters. How can you assess the outcome?

I cannot have it more memorable. In fact, I was told by the elderly ones that it was the best in the history of the town. This festival afforded me another opportunity to appreciate the strong bond between my people and our forefathers. It was not a matter of whether you are a Muslim or a Christian; everybody trooped out to the shrine of Obedu and performed normal rites as prescribed from the days of our forefathers. In a nutshell, I realised that despite our acceptance of other religions, our people still hold our culture in his esteem. I thank them for demonstrating this. I must confess that their response beat my imagination because of their adherence to Islam and Christianity.

 

What is the place of Obedu in the history of your town to have deserved being worshiped, so to say?

Your question wants me to take you into the history of the town. I want you to understand that in Yorubaland, we don’t celebrate without one or more reasons, let alone performing rites to someone who is late. Check the account of all Yoruba towns and communities. The story is the same in Oba-Ile. Obedu played a memorable role in the beginning of the town. He hailed from Ile-Ife and accompanied his friend called Oduyale to settle here. Oduyale suffered childlessness in Ile-Ife, and Obedu advised him to relocate as a solution to his problem to his childlessness. Obeduwas versed in Ifa oracle, and directed the movement of his friend to a tropical forest known as forest of demons. In the forest, Oduyale was hearing strange chorus of Oba le oo (He is landing, he is landing safely). The chorus turned to Oba-Ile we know today. Obedu later joined his friend and, they both co-habited harmoniously.

 

Why is Obedu remembered instead of Oduyale?

Obedu was blessed with some mystical prowess, which he used on many occasions to save dangerous situations. Don’t forget I said earlier that he guided the movement of his friend to the place known as Oba-Ile. Issue of his remembrance came up when at the twilight of his lifetime when he told his people to always call on him whenever they were endangered. He promised to always come to their aid to ward off such dangerous situation. But the people did not believe him. So, after he had gone, they tried to test him by calling him. To their surprise, he came out and destroyed them. It was too late for him to realise that it was his people he killed. That is the cause of his remembrance at his shrine where we have his chain till date. This history has been documented for the future generation to relate with. Dr Paul OyegokeAbimbola in 2005 published Oba Ile Town In History. You can read it further.

 

What are the benefits derived from the festival?

The festival is spiritual connection with our ancestors. It also strengthens unity in the town. Thirdly, it rejuvenates positive spirit in the town by communicating with our forebears and educating public at large. You would agree with me that these benefits, if well co-ordinated, are the elements needed for development of society. Where there is unity, positive spirit and communication with forebears, growth is not far from that place. That is what we really focus on, and in years to come, we shall see the fruit of it. I am happy that my chiefs, traditional and honorary, see my vision and work towards achieving it. We shall collectively take Oba-Ile to greater height.

 

Oba-Ile Day came after Obedu Festival. Why didn’t you combine the two to save your people time and resources?

We are talking of two different events here. They can’t be combined because they are different. One is cultural and the other is social. I am blessed with very sophisticated and organized people in this town. They are well read and exposed. They know how things are done right elsewhere. They know that they cannot do something they would not be proud of for the town. So, they put in their best to ensure that none interferes with the other. This must have answered your question. There is no reason to combine them because they are distinctly organised.

• Retracing history of Iwude festival in Ijesaland

 

Can you say Oba-Ile was also a success?

Without sounding immodest, we tried our best as much as our resources could take us. We displayed commitment toward the development of the town, and I am happy. I am the central figure to both Obedu and Oba-Ile Day. Therefore, I say this with every sense of responsibility. And I am assuring you that each edition would come with different innovation. Festival and other communal events organised in other towns also passed through stages before reaching where they are today. In future, I see corporate organizations coming down to sign sponsor papers with us. I can tell you that we are equally endowed with tourism products, which we will unveil to the world at the right time.

 

You just received an award in Canada. What is the award all about?

The award is called Distinguished Royal Father of the Year for Asa Yoruba in Canada. It is an award notice of which came in phone calls and letter to me last month of October. As a traditional ruler, I don’t think one still needs all those things again. But realising the kind of encouragement and inspiration which receiving such award would give to the organiser, I felt I must be there to receive it. And I am glad I was there in Winnipeg, Manitoba Province of Canada. I was there with Olori who also expressed her joy being at that gathering of Yoruba culture promoters. It was fun being there, and I appreciate the organisers, a collaboration of groups of Manitoba-based media companies, groups of Canadian-based Yoruba communities and supported by the government of the province of Manitoba in Canada.

 

What is the significance of the award to you?

The significance of it is that we are all can make impact anywhere in the world from where we situate, and what we do (good and bad) can be noticed anywhere in the world. Therefore, we should be mindful of our actions and behaviors at all time, in public or private because all eyes are on us, especially those of us holding public positions. The quality of attendance said it all. We had representatives of Manitoba Premier, two Manitoba’s Members of Legislative Assembly,Oluomo of Lagos; AlhajiMusibau who came directly from Lagos to Winnipeg, many Nollywood topnotch actresses and actors and others.

 

 What did you say after the presentation?

I thanked and appreciated the organisers, expressed my pleasure and delight for being so recognized and honored. I  promised my continued supports to activities that promote Yoruba heritage; including the organisation that recognized me for today’s award.