By Rupert Ojenuwa
Like many Nigerians, I have had to dedicate a substantial part of my data subscription to the rife debate on social media on the superiority argument between the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo. And, whilst I find it most intriguing and somewhat infertile, I believe it betrays one of the greatest factors of Africa’s backwardness. Something I shall soon call by its name.
This new raging debate stemmed from the visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s to Ibadan during which the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, extended warm handshakes to every royalty present, each of whom rose in honour of the Ooni except for the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, who sat comfortably down to receive the Ooni’s handshake. As much as that action is enough trigger for the ongoing debate, one would naturally think that the moment the Alaafin released a press statement stating unequivocally that he holds Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi in high esteem and that bloggers should quit sowing seeds of discord, everyone should have held their peace but instead the press statement appeared to stimulate the debate, even more.
The disturbing issue is the fact that, due to the ongoing debate, many historical truths and distortions have been peddled before all and sundry. Individuals across the world who are neither Yorubas nor with any affinity to the Yoruba race seem to now have a history of the race to hold on to. What I believe should be concerning to any well-meaning Yoruba is whether the historical information put out is the truth or not. And if it is not, how does that serve the positive interest of the Yorubas?
For example, some claim that the Ooni of Ife is not a child of Oduduwa and that he is only a slave. Some give him some dignity by saying he is a priest. The Alaafin, on the other hand, is not spared, as some claim he is the 16th in hierarchical presentation. Some even went as far as stating that many people from Oyo who claim to be Yorubas where the Alaafin reigns supreme are Fulanis and not connected to the Oduduwa ancestry, subtly questioning the Alaafin’s ancestry.
Let us assume without conceding that the Ooni is a slave or a priest. How does that serve the Yoruba nation? Do you expect that the Ooni will be ridiculed in isolation from other Yorubas? If these 5th columnists succeed in disparaging or vilifying him, will it not be a shame to the entire race? This is wrong and should be called by its name. The question should always be, ‘How do these narratives serve the positive interest of any of those revered stools, and in fact, how do those narratives serve the interest of the Yoruba nation? If it doesn’t, then let’s jettison divisive narratives and embrace logic.
Here is my logical take, as should be those of any discerning mind. The Alaafin of Oyo can’t be and shouldn’t be traced to any Fulani. This is not to say that Fulanis are inferior breeds, but the undiscerning mustn’t ingest the wrong narrative. The history of a people shouldn’t be allowed to be distorted. As the Fulanis wouldn’t want to be traced to having a Yoruba ancestry, so do the Yorubas, much less one of the revered Yoruba stools.
As for the Ooni of Ife. It stands truth on its head and betrays the quality of mind of anyone who directly or remotely suggests that the Ooni is a slave or a priest whom Oduduwa tasked with the assignment to keep watch over the throne. It’s important that as the Yorubas continue in this debate, it doesn’t inadvertently portray someone as revered as Oduduwa as one who lacks tact. How can a KING put his throne in the custody of a slave or even a priest? And for what? Let’s take the President of Nigeria as a case study. When he is not available in the country, does he call on a Priest or a Pastor, no matter how revered he is, to administer the nation? Does he not just hand over to his vice? In the parlance of monarchy, why would a King put a priest in charge when he has children and or a second in command?
The Ooni, without a shred of doubt, is not just a legitimate heir of Oduduwa; he is the owner of the throne of Ile－Ife. Having listened to these many debates, it is clear that everyone agrees that Ile－Ife is the cradle of the Yoruba race. Thus giving it precedence over every and any Yoruba settlement. It is therefore illogical for one to accept Ile－Ife as the beginning of the Yoruba race without accepting its throne as the foremost throne in the Yoruba land. And if one accepts the throne as having preeminence over other thrones, then isn’t it foolhardy not to accept the occupier as being foremost, as the throne dictates? Whilst the current occupier of the throne is indeed relatively young, everyone who comes in contact with him must see beyond his age. They must see the throne upon which he sits and accord him the respect that the throne commands, as any sign of disrespect to him is a direct affront to the throne he sits on and thus disrespect to every Yoruba －living or dead.
It must be stated that Ooni Adeyeye is a huge blessing to not just the Yoruba race but to Nigeria, and every Yoruba should be proud to have him. Though he sits on a most revered throne, his humility is top-notch and exemplary. He seems to be deliberate about it even amid unrelenting criticisms. He believes that the position of leadership is one of service, and one shouldn’t be alienated from the people he has been called to serve. His conduct from his accession to the throne betrays him as one who had been prepared for the throne. One on a mission. A mission to unite, to develop and make the Yoruba race a centre of attraction to Nigerians and the rest of the world.
And whilst his critics continue on their sterile mission, he continues to sit in his place as the Chief Marketer of the Yoruba race, marketing the Yoruba and Nigeria to the rest of the world. Today, he is one of the most googled monarchs from Nigeria owing to his strategic plans and moves. And make no mistake, many of his moves are largely about how to bring development to the Yoruba nation. Can you imagine that with just about 10 years on the throne, the Ooni is arguably the highest employer of labour amongst the monarchs? This should earn him commendation and not vilification.
The Ooni’s presence and personae must not be demystified. It should be a great service if he accords anyone his presence or even a handshake. Here is a monarch who is almost worshipped outside the shores of Nigeria. Whenever he visits Brazil, he is accorded the highest courtesies and reverence with pomp and pageantry. We must not make it a culture of demystifying our own. The Yorubas must treasure him and treat him as a KING of precedence and ensure to guard him jealously. After all, a Yoruba adage is transliterated as ‘it is what you call your calabash that others will call it’
And for those bloggers who have been asking the Federal Government to intervene. What more do you want from the Federal Government? The Ooni of Ife is Co－Chair of the Traditional Ruler Council of Nigeria and also the Chairman of the Southern Traditional Council. Though those place the superiority badge upon the Ooni, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi prefers to see them as a badge for service and which he has carried on with utmost responsibility and humility.
I therefore believe it is time the Yorubas rally behind the Ooni of Ife as the Northerners do the Sultan of Sokoto. There is a need to shun every divisive tendency, as that is one of the major culprits of the backwardness of the African race. We must remember that the throne is what is in question and not the occupant of it, but luckily, the current occupier of the throne, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, colours the throne beautifully by bringing enormous positives to the throne and the Yorubas. In fact, on more than one occasion, one could hear him addressing any Yoruba visitor who isn’t directly from Ile－Ife by saying, ‘You are welcome home. This throne is for you, in a deliberate desire to foster a sense of inclusion and unity.
It is therefore important for all to agree that the Ooni is no less of the Ooni when he is out of the palace. He carries and embodies the throne and must be given the utmost respect, if not reverence, as the 001 of the Yoruba race.
*Rupert OJENUWA writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
Email: pasrup@yahoo.com