Why we shouldn’t be too emotional about Senator Adeleke’s death —Oluwo

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi, who just returned from North America, his former base speaks with TUNDE BUSARI on his trip and the death of the senator representing his senatorial district, Senator Isiaka Adeleke. Excerpts:

How did you receive the death of the senator representing your senatorial district at the National Assembly, Senator Adetunji Adeleke?

As a traditional ruler, I should not dwell much on death issues but I must confess to you that I received the news with a rude shock like other people who saw him the day before he died as he was brimming with life. He was a lively man, always surrounded by lively people. He was a politician who lived his life for his constituents and was loved by the people.

The late senator was the Asiwaju of Ede; do you think his death would affect the relationship between Iwo and Ede?

I don’t think so. Why would it affect our relationship? We all understand that his death is our collective loss because of his position as our representative in the senate. We are all mourners in this circumstance. But I can only advise that people should not be too emotional on his death because death is the leveler of all beings. There is nothing anybody can do to stop it when the time is ripe. His death is a reminder of God’s act. Of course, human beings must find a way of linking death with sickness and other causes but the truth is that God does not reveal to us the secret behind death. It can come at the time we least expect as it was in this case. I always say that since we have no control over our birth, how we are going to leave this world is also the prerogative of our creator. That is why we must always remember the day; the last day we will have the last breath. I am sincerely commiserating with the families he left behind.

You were away to Canada for a few weeks. Of what importance was the trip to your town?

The journey was important to me because it was my first trip to Canada since I came to Nigeria in 2015. That is, I left Canada as a prince but returned as a traditional ruler. Is that not interesting and so remarkable? My wife had our baby, Oduduwa, last year but had not set her eyes on me. I travelled to see both the mother and baby and I am happy they are all doing very fine. It was a happy reunion with Olori and historic meeting with Oduduwa, my son.

In terms of the importance of the journey to my town, I think I should keep the details to my chest this time around so that people don’t say I am controversial again. On a serious note, my pledge to my town and the people at my installation was to use all my resources to bring prosperity to the land. I should not be repeating what I have done in the last 16 months or so. I am happy that my people are already feeling the impact. In some months, we shall begin to see the benefit of my trip to Canada. My status in that country has not changed. You may have seen me during my visit to Michael Ford in the Toronto City Hall. I made useful consultations and further contacts, result of which will soon come and be seen by everyone. I could not travel to anywhere, leaving behind the blueprint I designed for my town.

There was a report two months back on an issue between you and Ibadan indigenes over a statement credited to you. What is the state of the matter now?

It is not an issue to be re-visited. You are talking of a matter of about two months. Please, let us move away from it.

Don’t you think the matter has affected your relationship, especially with your friends who are indigenes of Ibadan?

As I said earlier, there is no reason to go back to an issue which came and which had been resolved.  It is even good that you know a bit about my history with Ibadan. How can any author write about my history without adding Ibadan to it? Such a book is incomplete. Ibadan is the place where I grew and became a man and is seen as my second home. Therefore, I cannot disparage the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the people of the town. Wasn’t it reported in the media that I was at the first year coronation anniversary of the Olubadan? What does that say about our relationship? Mind you, the anniversary came after the issue you talked about. I was well received at the occasion and accorded royal treatment. There is no problem whatsoever.

What made you challenge traditional faithful to make their shrines tourists’ attractions?

It is true that I am an advocate of turning shrines to places which tourists from all over the world would like to visit. This is based on my understanding of what is trending in the world today. As we can all see that oil is not doing well again in the market and Nigeria is over-dependent on oil. How then can we survive if we don’t explore non-oil sources of revenue? That is my point; not that I am antagonistic of traditional people. As a traditional ruler who is a representative of God, I must say and do what will always improve the life of my people because they look up to me for direction. There is no doubting the fact that traditional rulers have been pushed to the rear. But we can make ourselves relevant by adding value to our towns and our people through sharing ideas such as this on the shrine. We should all shun sins. We should not do all God does not want us to do. We cannot afford to be stagnant because stagnation is backwardness. The world is dynamic and on a fast pace. So, if we continue to glorify the ideas of the ancient, then something is wrong and we cannot move with the tide of time.

There is a belief that you are controversial; why are you always in the news?

I think I should take this your question as a compliment. It is a compliment because it shows that people recognise that there is a town called Iwo land. I am not controversial but I am not an anonymous traditional ruler. I am the Oluwo, a first class traditional ruler who must live the status. If living the status as a young, first class oba of a big town is what the section of the people considers as controversial, I don’t think I have anything to say or any objection to their perception. I am here for a purpose; a purpose to elevate my town higher than I met it and that is what I am doing.

The Minister of Communication was here. The AIG (Assistant Inspector General of Police) Zone 2 was here. Many people who can help me develop my town have visited me. I am happy that I am laying a solid foundation for the future of my town and the evidence is everywhere for everybody to see.

A traditional ruler must be concerned more about the future generation who would be around to read the history of his reign. The origin of government (Ijoba) is assemblage of monarch (Oba). And for us to regain the status, we must acknowledge our divine position and use it properly to build human resources. I have prayed to God not to give me money I will not spend on my people. Whatever I have belongs to them because I am their father who must live up to their expectations and serve them. Is God not serving us? Does He sleep? He does not. He is awake watching over all of us. If He takes a nap even for a second, you cannot imagine what would happen. That is what a traditional ruler should be. You must be there for your people and bring everybody together, including those you know are not well disposed to you. Large heart makes a good father and leader.