Why we are bent on preserving Yoruba heritage —Oke

I learnt you hold a different view from the call for implementation of Shariah Court in South-west states. Can you confirm this?

Without being told, as a journalist who covers culture and Yoruba tradition, you should know that I will not keep quiet on that matter because it is a sensitive matter. And any matter which involves religion and ethnicity in Nigeria is a sensitive one which must be treated as such because of past experiences in the country. What I mean is that apart from being a sensitive matter, it is also a volatile one which can easily turn people against each other. So, in order to prevent such ugly occurrence, when a matter like this rears its head in Yorubaland, it is my duty as my position demands to speak up on the position of the Esin Ibile Association. I am the head because they know I am capable of representing them well. If I keep quiet on the matter, then I have betrayed them.

Don’t you think the public would misconstrue your stand as being intolerant of other religions?

I want you to go and check the record to find out about the way we conduct our activities. Our association is registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Apart from that, we enjoy strong support of the Ikubabayeye, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi who is never known to be intolerant of other religions or tribes. The record is there that Baba accommodates everybody and knows much about each religion. We are tolerant of other religions, even when other religions don’t reciprocate. The record is there that traditional religion is called different derogatory names but we don’t respond to them because we know what we preach. This issue of Sharia court and our position on it does not mean we are intolerant. We are only exercising our fundamental freedom of expression inasmuch as we are not insulting or disparaging any religion.

Don’t you also think Yoruba culture and tradition is being threatened by foreign influences?

Since everything that comes from foreign countries is accepted and used here, there is the tendency for this fear. But let me say it clearly that we are not averse to development. We are enlightened enough to appreciate the role development plays in human life. But certain things need to be preserved for the sake of posterity. That is what we do at Asa Ibile. We make efforts to preserve our heritage to pass it on to coming generation because we also inherited it from our fathers. With our efforts yielding fruits home and abroad, we are not under a serious threat. But we need to do more work. One of the works we need to do is to contribute to public discourse and articulate our position on issues that affect religion. I think, we have not committed any crime by doing so as citizens who are law abiding.