In Africa and most parts of the world, a traditional ruler must always come from a royal family or a ruling dynasty. Although this is not lways the case as some people ascend the throne through charismatic qualities, military conquest, financial status or religious prophecy. This was the trend in the early stages of human civilisation but ruling and royal families have over the centuries established their lineages as royal dynasties to maintain their roles and positions in the society. The monarchial leader is always regarded as the head of the traditional institution in any society. And according to the national conference of traditional rulers held in Kaduna from 28-29th November 1983 came out with the definition of a traditional ruler as :
“A person who by virtues of his ancestry occupies the throne or stool of an area and who has been appointed to it in accordance with the custom and tradition of the area and whose throne has been in existence before the advent of the British rule in Nigeria. From this definition we can deduce that: The position of a traditional ruler must be ancestral, that is, dating from the history of the people; particularly those predating the era of colonisation and a traditional ruler must be the one who is appointed according to customs.
Furthermore, the king, as the head of the traditional institution, contributes to the promotion and preservation of the cultural heritage of a place. Without a leader there will be no direction for a community as there will be chaos as a result dysfunction of the system. Hence the need to study, analyse and document through ethnographic research the roles and importance of the traditional rulers to the development of their respective kingdoms. A very good case study is Iloko Ijesha that had no traditional ruler for over nine years until a new king was installed as the Owaloko three years ago.
The Owaloko of Iloko Ijesha is one of the traditional rulers whose seat of authority is highly respected and given prominence among the traditional rulers in Osun State and Yoruba land at large.
The new Owaloko was installed in Iloko Ijesha on Saturday, July 24, 2021. Iloko Ijesha is a town under the Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State.
The governor of the state, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, presented the instruments and staff of office to the newly installed Owaloko of Iloko Ijesha, Oba Olusayo Ogungbangbe, Ajabusi Ekun the sixth.
A lot of dignitaries attended the event which took place at the Osowusi Muslim Commercial High School. Some of them include the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja the first, Chief Bisi Akande, the former Governor of Osun State, among others.
This official crowning came nine years after the former Owaloko, Oba Oladele Olasore, joined his ancestors in June 2012.
Oba Ogungbangbe, who contested alongside other royal princes for the throne, was elected as Owaloko on August 26, 2015.
- Adepeju is Principal Museum Education Officer, National Museum of Unity, Ibadan.
and then