Why I don’t always wear my crown and beads —Oba Oyesosin

Not a few are aware that the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Osun State, Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin, almost incurred the wrath of the late General Sani Abacha during his regime between November 1993 and June 1998. How he was let off the hook is reported by TUNDE BUSARI

 

The Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin, is one of the few longest-reigning traditional rulers in Yorubaland. He ascended the throne in 1973 when he was a school teacher with promising career at Fiditi Grammar School. His education as a graduate of the University of Ibadan has impacted positively on his reign, especially in his regular frank posture on issues of public interest. And when he speaks, he does with combination of passion and fire which shows clearly where he belongs on topic of discussion.

Naturally, he lacks patience for idle talk; he is a sharp shooter, hence he often withdraws to himself unless he is called upon to make a contribution. For instance, when he felt that some policies of the late General Sani Abacha regime were leading the masses to the wall, Oba Oyesosin broke his silence and emptied his mind to the public.

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The military authorities, which had built a zero tolerance to opposing viewpoints, played true to type and responded accordingly. What did they do to the traditional ruler? In less than 24 hours, the palace of the Ogiyan received an army of unscheduled visitors apparently to take a pound of flesh in Oba Oyesosin.

“They travelled all the way from Abuja down to Ejigbo because of a statement I had made out of patriotism zeal in me as a Nigerian and a traditional ruler. Their appearance did not tell me that they were in the palace to joke. They said I spoke against General Sani Abacha, which to them meant a taboo because the general was acting as a maximum ruler over the country. But a piece of advice, which suggested that I should call the media, settled the matter but I must say that it was not a pleasant experience.

“But do I regret it? Why would I regret saying what I am convinced is the truth. I was not brought up to tell lies. No matter the situation, I was taught to say and uphold the truth at all time. That practice has made life so easy for me. I am not under any pressure on anything. I enjoy my rest at will and wake up at right time,” he said.

Oba Oyesosin was not done with his interventionist policy as he, years later, added his voice to public discourse with a view to fulfilling his role as father of the people. Just last month of April, the media was awash with the news of the abduction of the Enogie of Ukhiri, Godwin Aigbein, in his palace in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

The traditional ruler, who retired as a Chief Superintendent in Police, was kidnapped under heavy shooting which sent the palace aides to different directions for safety. No sooner had the Ogiyan received that news than he jumped out of his sofa and, in unmistakable words, saying a threat to a royal father in his palace is a threat to others in their domains.

Promptly, he sent the media a save-our-soul to the authorities on the need to review security details attached to traditional rulers. He said that any neglect of traditional rulers in their palaces would make them vulnerable as experienced by the Edo State ruler.

“Something I don’t take with levity is security. Therefore, I implore our government to provide adequate security for all our traditional rulers in every nook and cranny of Nigeria. President MuhammaduBuhari-led Federal Government must not rest on its oars in providing efficient security for the royal fathers across the country. Indeed, the state and local government authorities are not left out in the responsibility to ensure that we are safe.

“What happened in Edo State is strange and an insult to traditional institution, which we symbolise. The incident is also a sign of insecurity in the land. Government is in the best position to tackle this problem before it gets out of hand. Being a traditional ruler is a sacrifice to our towns and communities, some black sheep should not be allowed to disrupt our peace,” he said.

While he would always acknowledge the significant role which the media played in his face-off with the military during General Abacha days, Oba Oyesosin expresses reservation for a section of the media, which he said are always accused of double standard on issues, pointing out that those who speak from two sides of their mouths bring the name of ethical professionals to disrepute.

However, he urges the practitioners to live up to the societal expectations, especially when government policies are insensitive to the demand of the masses just as he applauds those who hold on to the tenet of the profession.

“It is the primary responsibilities of the media to act as a check on all branches of government. The so-called immunity being enjoyed by them can only promote corruption. So, the media should strive more in exposing misgovernance and the way to do this is to launch a sustained campaign against law that makes some above the law,” the former secretary of the Nigeria Council of traditional rulers said.

In spite of the Ogiyan’s liberal disposition, he cannot under any circumstance, compromise Yoruba custom and tradition which he promised to uphold at his installation in 1974. He may not often appear either in public and private in full paraphernalia of a royal father, especially putting on a crown, the mannerism he exudes advertises the royalty in him.

Why doesn’t he wear much of crown these days? He says: “I am not happy that these important symbols of the stool are being desecrated by those who have no royal blood in their veins. You see beads on these people and you begin to ask of where our custom is heading to. Instead of reacting and being tagged intolerant father, I decided to choose how I appear, and this has given me more satisfaction. But this is not saying that I can’t wear my crown as long as crown is our means of identity as traditional rulers.”

When taken down memory lane and asked of one of his fond moments during his reign, without blinking his eyes, the Ogiyan recalled his encounter with the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, who reigned from 1930 to 1980. Thirty-nine years after Oba Aderemi joined his ancestors, Oba Oyesosin still remembers the love with which he showered him within six years of their relationship, describing him as epitome of authority in words and deeds under whose feet he learnt a lot of lessons which every traditional ruler needed to administer his town. One particular encounter remains evergreen in the mind of Oba Oyesosin.

“I was in the palace here when the phone rang and the caller was Baba Ooni. He said I should come down to Ife to see him. There was a tone of urgency in the message. I did not waste time. I got to the palace and he ushered me in. We ate together and talked on different issues. Can you believe that was the last I saw of him? The next thing was the breaking of the news of his departure.

“Whenever I recall this, I remember him as not an ordinary traditional ruler but one who was specially gifted. He made his mark not only in Ile-Ife, but also in the entire former Western Region. He participated in the sociopolitical development of the region, which extended to the present day Edo and Delta states. He was the Governor-General when Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the premier of the region. We had a kind of father-and-son relationship till he passed away,” he said.