Interview

Traditional rulers are not idol worshippers —Oba Awokoya

The role of kingmakers across the length and breadth of Yorubaland in selection/election of a new king has become a major concern to stakeholders. The Otufesojoye of Irete in Ijebuland, His Royal highness, Dr Abdulganiyu Olusegun Awokoya, bares his soul on this development in this interview with Soji Ajibola.

YOUR journey to the throne of your forebears, how was it like?

I mounted the throne of my great grandfather on October 2, 2021. I was presented with the gazette of the government while the paramount ruler of ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, approved my kingship for Irete community. Irete is a town under a town; we are kindred of Awujale/Dagburoye. The 15th Awujale of Ijebuland migrated from Ijebu to establish Idowa town in the 16th century. During that period, Irete community was being represented in Idowa council of obas by an Otunba as the community as at then was yet to have its own king. However, in 2021, I was crowned as the first king of Irete by the paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

What is the security situation in Irete town?

Since 2021, we have been piloting the town. It is a peaceful settlement. We don’t have problems concerning tribe, religion or culture. We all participate in all the religious activities. In a nutshell, we are at peace with ourselves and our neighboring communities.

How will you describe development pace in the town?

I can’t be categorical on whether it is rapid or not. We are still pushing for a greater development. There is a school behind us here named Oba Sikiru Adetona College of Science and Technology named after the Awujale of ijebuland. The school is here to propel our development. The school is the only government presence we have. However, on our own, we are trying to have an office of the Federal Road Safety Commission in the town. The community has given them an office space to use for their operation. We are trying to bring government agencies to the community

What about the commitment of the indigenes?

The indigenes are trying their best to make sure we have social amenities in the town. We have a culture called ‘regberegbe’ in Ijebu traditional setting. W are trying to do the same thing here because most of the towns in Ijebu prosper by regberegbe. When we came in, there was an empowerment we did for indigenes. We also established a modern market for the community. Also, we are aiming to have a modern hospital with facilities to take care of any ailments. We empower our sons and daughters by giving them scholarships for them to fulfil their educational needs.

What level is this scholarship you mentioned and who are the beneficiaries?

We have offered scholarships to at least 20 secondary school students since we started.

Is there a body set for the scholarship selection process?

Yes, there is a body called Irete Area Development Committee chaired by Otunba Dosumu Saheed.

What is the plan for your second anniversary on the throne?

We wanted to make sure it is low-key. We want to give traditional titles to some people. We had a gala night on October 1. We did our jumaat service on September 29. We did our thanksgiving at Adam’s Memorial Anglican Church; so the programme is very light.

What is your vision?

My vision is for the community to become one of the most sought after not only in Ogun State, but the country as a whole. When we came in, we installed some solar streetlights to light up the town. We are trying to do more so as to become a modern community. We will like to bring government institutions and industries so as to increase our economy.

What area of development do you want government to come in?

Infrastructural deficit is all over the place, not only in Irete town. But from our own angle, we like government to rehabilitate community roads and the drainage system in the town. As I said earlier, we are trying to light up the community.The government can assist us with more street lights.

How do you manage traditional and western religions?

I believe there are no conflicts between both. There is just a misunderstanding of what tradition is and what western/Islamic religion is. Every society has its own way of culture, likewise Yorubaland. In Yorubalnd, we have customs and culture that are different from idol worshipping. Some people believe that when you follow customs and culture, you are worshipping idols. For example, I’m a Muslim by religion and I’m a king. I don’t worship idols, but I participate in customs and culture because you can’t be king without practising culture and customs. We need to differentiate between customs, religion and royalty. They are different things altogether.

Is the traditional stool losing its steam with involvement of traditional rulers in partisan politics?

Your observation is good. Looking back to when the British arrived, they removed the kings and they put in place the government we have today. The constitution permits the governor to influence enthronement or king making. From your question, the obas are at the mercy of kingmakers. Who are these kingmakers and what is their formulation? I believe the sons and daughters of the king should produce the king from within themselves so that there is no need for kingmakers because we are in a modern society.

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