Oduduwa did not come from Arabia, he descended from heaven to Ile-Ife —Ooni

Decked in his traditional all white apparel, his imposing height gave the large audience, especially those watching from afar, the opportunity to see at least his crown. Amidst ovation by the excited crowd of indigenes who could not hide their joy with his presence, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, had the floor. And he was in his element delivering his usual extemporaneous speech on the occasion of the coronation of the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Gbenga Oloyede.

After he had acknowledged the presence of other traditional rulers as well as other dignitaries, including representative of Osun State Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, he rounded off his speech with what sounded like a declaration on the origin of Oduduwa, regarded as the progenitor of Yoruba race.

In unambiguous language, Oba Ogunwusi dismissed the claim that Oduduwa migrated to Ile Ife from the Arabia, saying nothing could be farther from the truth. He called on the people to disregard what he described as a misrepresentation and outright falsehood.

He explained that God sent Oduduwa to the world through Ile-Ife where he landed on his way from heaven. He also said that those who claim that Oduduwa migrated from Mecca or Egypt lack detailed knowledge that God only sent Oduduwa to different parts of the world after which he returned to Ile-Ife.

“There is enough evidence to back this fact. You should not listen to concocted, half-truth history. Our history is best told by us. Nobody should tell us our history. Oduduwa descended in Ile-Ife. That is why he is called Atewonro. After he had landed here, God sent him to the East, West, North and South. He later returned to Ile-Ife. I am using this opportunity to implore our scholars, particularly Historians to conduct more research on this History in order to get the truth. People look up to them for the truth. Yoruba History is not an ordinary history which should be subjected to manipulation. The record of our history is there. Yoruba shall continue to play leadership role in the world because Ile-Ife is the cradle of all races in the world,” he asserted.

Just before Oba Ogunwusi made the declaration, he had given what sounded like royal sermon to the new monarch advising him to put the interest of his people ahead of his own in order to justify the confidence they reposed in him during contest to the throne. The Ooni who recently clocked fourth year on the throne, congratulated the new Apetumodu and urged him to henceforth put interest of his town first before any other thing, stressing that he is on the stool of his forefathers to serve his people and take them to the promised land.

He explained that his emergence as the Apetumodu followed the dictate of his destiny, which according to him, no man could successfully prevent. He explained that whoever has been destined from heaven to wear crown would definitely wear it regardless of challenges on his way to the throne, reminding the Apetumodu of his pact with the people of Ipetumodu to always serve them for the peace and progress of the town.

“Your status today as the Apetumodu was made possible by the confidence which the kingmakers and the entire people of Ipetumodu reposed in you. I want you to see the confidence as a divine trust which should be respected and protected at all time. One cannot betray God’s and peoples trust and remain the same. There is always going to be repercussion sooner or later. I am, therefore, urging you to be steadfast and stand by God, the creator of heaven and the earth. He is the all-knowing who ensures everything is in order. That God shall not forsake you on the throne. He will guide you to develop Ipetumodu beyond what you met,” he prayed.

Oba Oloyede expressed gratitude to the Ooni for the fatherly role he played on the journey to the throne, pledging his unalloyed loyalty to him come rain, come shine. He also extended same appreciation to other traditional rulers, including the Olofa of Ofa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi and other important personalities from far and near.

“I thank all our guests who took their time to be part of this historic occasion in Ipetumodu. I appreciate you. Ipetumodu appreciates and we shall continue to show our collective appreciation to you all. I wish you safe journey back home,” he said.

The premises of Origbo Middle and High School, which hosted the coronation was a beehive of celebration as the entire compound was fully occupied by different social and family groups, all of which were relishing the occasion. No fewer than three musical bands were engaged at different locations of the premises. King Sunny Ade staged directly opposite the tent under which Oba Oloyede and other traditional rulers sat.

Chairman of Origbo Local Government, Orosanya Taiwo Hassan was at different places at the same time in his flowing agbada. He was engrossed and almost overwhelmed by the demand of the occasion.

In his opening address, he saluted the Ooni for his support during the contest to the throne. The chairman briefly shared his experience during the period but gave credit of the outcome to Oba Ogunwusi and Governor Oyetola whom, he said, took his time to study the merit of the matter and gave approval to the selection earlier made.

“Today could not be without the strong support we received from His Excellency and His Royal Majesty, the Ooni of Ife. We are most grateful. Ipetumodu would not forget you for achieving peace for us. I also congratulate our kabiyesi and wish him successful reign,” he said,

As lively as the coronation was, so did it witness some scenes which queried the competence of the organiser in staging such a big show. Controlling the mammoth crowd was an herculean task and indeed a battle which the security operatives on ground found difficult to cope with.

Traditional rulers and other guests were occasionally blocked from seeing the stage of King Sunny Ade who was deliberately positioned opposite their canopy for easy accessibility. That however, did not stop the musician from putting up another scintillating performance  and earning good money.

Besides, late arrangement of seats for the governor in which the chairman of local government was directing should have been done long before the arrival of guests.

Notwithstanding the ceremony was another convergence of crème-de-la-crème of the society drawn from different parts of the country, a spectacle which spiced the rating of the coronation.

A prominent indigene of Ipetumodu, who is also the Chairman of Leisure Spring Hotels, Elder Johnson Akinniyi was full of gratitude first to God and also to the important personalities at the occasion, wishing them a safe journey back to their destinations.

“We are honoured to have the presence of such figures. We appreciate their coming, not minding the distance. We appreciate Baba Ooni and Governor Oyetola. We pray that Baba Apetumodu’s reign witness glorious things,” he prayed.