The rebuttal published by Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I asking for the revocation of the announcement of Chief Sanusi Dotun, the Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, Ilaji Resorts as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland by Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi – Ojaja II came as a rude shock to some of us who had a rare privilege of witnessing the genesis of last Saturday’s reiteration and amplification of Chief Dotun Sanusi as Okanlomo of Yorubaland’s Designate.

The announcement which now generated unwarranted furore had first been made in 2020 at the palace of Ooni of Ife when Chief Dotun Sanusi in the company of prominent sons and daughters of Ibadan and some of his multi-billionaire friends paid a birthday homage to the highly revered monarch.

The homage which Chief Dotun Sanusi described ‘as a must’ was a return visit to the one paid by Ooni of Ife a year before when the Monarch visited Ilaji Resort to commission the then newly completed Ilaji Resort’s Yoruba Art Gallery.

Being birthday mates, Ooni of Ife drew the first blood, when he made a grand and majestic entrance into Ilaji Resort in 2019 to commission the Gallery which boasts of collections of Yoruba legends artefacts before he left for Ife to meet visitors who he said had been waiting for him in the palace to celebrate his birthday with him.

Chief Dotun Sanusi did not disappoint in the following year (2020) when he led dignitaries from all walks of life to pay a thank-you visit to the monarch. The visit which later turned into a mini party began with the introduction of the prominent personalities that accompanied Chief Dotun Sanusi. It also featured traditional chants, Chief Dotun Sanusi’s speech, and light entertainment.

Ooni of Ife while delivering his speech acknowledged Chief Dotun Sanusi’s contributions to the development of culture in Yorubaland and as a mark of his appreciation to the man who has done so much for the preservation of Yoruba culture, he announced Chief Dotun Sanusi as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland Designate.

But for the issue of coronavirus which was rampaging then, the official ceremony and staff of office would have been presented to Ilaji Resort Boss.

The news of Chief Dotun Sanusi’s announcement as Okanlomo of Yorubaland Designate was well publicized then and there was never a time that the then Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi condemned nor demanded the revocation of the announcement.

In fact, to show the level of cordiality that existed between Chief Dotun Sanusi and the then Alaafin, the late Monarch, publicly in his palace, endorsed a football competition tagged Ilaji Football League (IFL).

IFL, a ten-team competition envisioned and solely sponsored by Chief Dotun Sanusi, had the participating teams drawn from ten major towns in Oyo state.

The late Alaafin of Oyo during the presentation of the official Jerseys of Oyo FC by Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade, the representative of Chief Dotun Sanusi, lauded the Ilaji Resort’s Boss for creating a platform for the discovery of football talents that are scattered within the hinterlands of Oyo State with a view to making their footballing dreams a reality. The Monarch consequently gave his blessings for Oyo FC to participate in the competition.

The ten teams that participated in the competition include: Oyo FC, Ogbomoso FC, Iseyin FC, Eruwa FC, Igboho FC, Igbeti FC, Saki FC, Kishi FC, Ibadan FC, and Ilaji FC which happened to be the host team.

And true to the Monarch’s predictions not less than five of the players discovered from that competition are playing very well in some of the European Clubs thereby making their dreams materialize.

If the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi whom many knew and regarded as a repository of Yoruba history and custodian of Yoruba culture during his reign did not antagonize nor reject the announcement of Chief Dotun Sanusi as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland five years ago, it is then worrisome but not totally surprising that the present Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I was only using the announcement as a cover to fester a supremacy battle.

Hazeez Ayansola a media consultant and a businessman man writes from Ibadan

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The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Aderemi Oseni, has described the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, as a shining example of modern royalty committed to cultural rebirth and progressive leadership.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State, remarked in a congratulatory message to the monarch on the occasion of his 50th birthday.

In a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists, the lawmaker praised the Alaafin for his “visionary reign” and his role in “bridging traditional heritage with contemporary governance.”

He said, “Oba Abimbola Owoade’s reign signifies a rebirth of traditional leadership in Yorubaland. At 50, he has become a royal voice for peace, youth empowerment, cultural pride, and national development.”

According to the APC chieftain, the monarch’s ability to sustain the dignity of the ancient Alaafin stool while staying engaged with modern issues such as education, innovation and national unity makes him a “leader of rare substance.”

He added, “Kabiyesi’s engagement with young people, advocacy for cultural values, and commitment to the peaceful progress of Oyo Kingdom make his golden jubilee worth celebrating by all lovers of Yoruba heritage.”

Oseni prayed for the monarch’s long life, sound health, and continued grace to steer the affairs of his kingdom.

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The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Aderemi Oseni has congratulated Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade on his emergence as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.

The Oyo Kingdom, renowned for its rich history and cultural significance, had been without an Alaafin since the passing of the late Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III in April 2022.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan, the lawmaker described the emergence of the new Alaafin as a significant milestone in preserving the rich cultural heritage and royal legacy of the Oyo Kingdom. He expressed confidence that the new monarch would continue the enduring legacy of leadership, unity, and progress set by his predecessors.

“The ascension of the new Alaafin marks a new dawn for the Oyo Kingdom. I am confident that His Imperial Majesty will uphold the cultural values, traditions, and historical pride of the Yoruba people,” Oseni stated.

He further highlighted the pivotal role of traditional rulers in fostering peace, unity, and development within their domains and beyond, urging the new Alaafin to continue promoting harmony among the people of Oyo and the larger Yoruba nation.

The APC chieftain also called on indigenes and residents of the Oyo Kingdom to rally behind the new monarch, offering their unwavering support for the growth and prosperity of the ancient kingdom.

“The Alaafin’s stool is not only a symbol of authority but also a beacon of cultural identity for the Yoruba race. I urge all sons and daughters of Oyo to support His Imperial Majesty in steering the kingdom toward greater development,” he added.

He prayed for wisdom, strength, and divine guidance for the new monarch as he embarked on this historic leadership journey.

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Governor Makinde maintained that as part of measures to improve the security situation in the state, the administration has set up a Security Task Force comprising cabinet members and heads of security agencies including Operation Burst and Amotekun.

He added that the government has equally introduced the voluntary policing approach in which non-state actors will work together with other security agencies to tackle insecurity in the state.

Describing them as all-important stakeholders in the issue of security, the governor called on traditional rulers to join hands with the state government to improve the security of the state.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted  that the governor stated these during a meeting on  Wednesday with  traditional rulers and security agencies, held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

The meeting had in attendance the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III; Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I; a representative of the Soun of Ogbomoso; members of the Oyo State Traditional Council; the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Mrs. Ngozi Onadeko and other security commanders, among others.

The governor, who reiterated the need for qualitative intelligence gathering, said there could be no security without intelligence gathering, adding that his government would continue to improve security in the state, as the economic growth being experienced in Oyo State can only be sustained if there is adequate security.

He added that the government will collaborate with traditional rulers to improve the security of the state, as, according to him, intelligence gathering would not succeed without getting closer to the people, especially the royal fathers.

He said: “I have said before that security cannot work without intelligence gathering and we cannot gather intelligence without getting closer to the people. In all of the troubled areas across our state, the royal fathers often get information before we do, and that is why it is important that we must collaborate with you.

“The reason we are in this meeting today is because security is one of the four pillars of our administration, and one of our key policies as contained in the roadmap for accelerated development in Oyo State (2019-2023).

“There are actually four cardinal points, which this administration is standing on. We have Health, Education, Expansion of our Economy and Security. So, If Oyo State is to continue on the path to economic growth, then, the state’s security architecture must be maintained.

“So far, Oyo State is doing well economically and this is as a result of the policies which this administration has put in place. For example, the February 2021 inflation report for all food items showed that Oyo State has the lowest inflation rate in the country.

“While other states are battling with increases in food prices and other things, in Oyo State, the cost of transportation, housing and food items, including bread, yam, fruits and vegetables, have remained stable. But if we want to continue to enjoy this stability, we must ensure that we maintain a secure environment.”

The governor equally explained that the state’s Security Task Force was set up as a matter of emergency to address the various security challenges and ensure that the state is always on top of security situation.

He added that the committee would regularly link up with traditional rulers and stakeholders across all local government areas to have requisite information on happenings across localities.

“Earlier this month”, he continued, “we reviewed the security situation and it has stabilized a little bit but the improvement is not what we want, as it is marginal. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our security agencies because they are trying their best. They have been responsive but there is still a lot to do.

“After the evaluation of our situation, we decided to set up the Security Task Force/War Room. We call it the War Room because the situation we are faced with is war in the sense that Oyo State people must sleep with their two eyes closed. And until they are able to do that, we also will not sleep.

“So, we had our inaugural meeting and since then, we have been meeting weekly to address security issues. Why I set it up as a Task Force was because this time last year, when the COVID-19 came, we set up a Task Force. Members were meeting every 48hours for almost six months; and afterwards, we made it a weekly meeting and, by the grace of God, we led the entire country in tackling that pandemic. So, it is an approach that has worked for us and we know that it will work for us in tackling the insecurity issue too.

“If our plans are to work effectively, we need the buy-in of everyone in Oyo State, but most importantly, you, our fathers in each of our communities, we need your buy-in and that is why I have invited you for this meeting today.”

The governor, who sought the cooperation and support of all stakeholders across the state to enable the state government have the right security information on a prompt and regular basis, said: “I called you here today not to threaten you but to ask you to work with this administration to tackle insecurity in our various areas of the state.

“We also know that if you understand why we are taking some measures against insecurity, you will be the ones in the best position to communicate this to our people. For instance, if we talk about people working in the mining area, some of our traditional rulers in Oke-Ogun will sign documents for those who need land for mining for peanuts. If we interact on what we desire to do, you can also advise us on the local situation in your areas.

“So, I believe that with this, misunderstanding about some policies of the government will reduce and that is part of why I have called this meeting. You are the ones who see some of these foreigners as they enter Oyo State and you can report when strangers have come in. You can give government information because you know whoever is accommodating strangers.”

The governor noted that the traditional rulers have demonstrated their support for the government and have shown that the security of the state is so paramount to them and must be maintained.

On the issue of voluntary policing, he said: “With the approach of voluntary policing, all non-state actors can also be reined-in and we need your support to achieve that. If you know some stubborn youths around your areas, they should go after the criminals,” he said, adding that the state government has directed that in all Local Government Areas in the state, there must be security meetings at least twice a month.

Governor Makinde also assured the traditional rulers that his administration will continue to work on improving the security and, by extension, the economy of Oyo State, stating, however, that the country’s weak federal system has been a major constraint to the states.

“We won’t shy away from the assignment you have given to us. We won’t come back to you with excuses. Yes, there are constraints as the Kabiyesi [Alaafin of Oyo] has said. The peculiar federal arrangement we have is a challenge.

“They said we are fighting against federal arrangement. No, we are actually fighting against a unitary arrangement. The founding fathers of Nigeria signed up for a federal arrangement, not a unitary arrangement but this is where we are. There are challenges but it is this issue of insecurity that actually brought the challenges up.

“But I give you the assurance that we will not throw our hands in the air and say it is because we don’t have a very smooth interaction between the state’s representatives and the people in Abuja.

“Whatever we can do will be done and with the support of everyone; the state actors, non-state actors and traditional rulers, I believe we will achieve a secure Oyo State.”

Earlier, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, said that state governors should not be blamed for the insecurity within their states, as, according to him, they are not the ones controlling the security agencies in their states.

He added that all the security agencies in the states are being controlled by the Federal Government, as security is in the exclusive list of the Nigeria Constitution.

While advocating the introduction of  State Police, the Alaafin of Oyo said that if we do not embrace state police, all the state governments will remain puppets under the Federal Government.

He explained that Governor Seyi Makinde cannot be blamed for the present insecurity in  the state, as he maintained that the present administration in the state has been working day and night to curb insecurity in all the length and breadth of the state.

The foremost traditional ruler commended Governor Makinde and other South-West governors for the establishment of Amotekun, saying that the establishment of this security outfit was apt and that it served as a breakthrough.

He said: “I want to say that we traditional rulers and royal fathers are stakeholders in the issue of security. They are killing and raping our sons and daughters in public. They are killing our people as well.

“It is appalling that we still see some of the people we have arrested and handed over to the Police on the street gallivanting around. Our governor is doing the right thing but we don’t really have superior power over the constitution guiding us. “So, when it comes to the issue of insecurity, there is nothing the state government can do if the Federal Government fails to do the needful.

“If our governor orders Police to carry out an assignment and another order comes from the FG, definitely nothing will be done. So, don’t let us deceive ourselves. Even our governor cannot command the Army and he has no power over it.

“Now, 70 per cent of our farmers in Ibarapa have left their farmlands. They no longer farm again. If we do not succeed in having State Police, the states will continue to be puppets under the Federal Government.

“Your Excellency, you can actually put up a wonderful edifice but the operation of the constitution will not allow you to achieve the goal.”

In his remark, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, who spoke through the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Senator Lekan Balogun, said three groups including the government, security agencies and traditional rulers must collaborate for the security of any state to be guaranteed.

Similarly, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Ngozi Onedeko, said that the security agencies need intelligence gathering and necessary information from the general public so as to assist them do an effective job of securing the society.

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The decision was reached by the governors, traditional rulers who gathered in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, to review the security situation of the zone.

The meeting, which was held inside the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s office, Agodi, Ibadan, had in attendance five governors including the host, Governor Makinde; Governors Akeredolu of Ondo, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Gboyega Oyetola of Osun and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.

The meeting equally had in attendance the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of South-West, David Folawiyo, and security chiefs serving in Oyo State.

Others included the chairmen of Council of Traditional Rulers in each of the South-West states and some first class monarchs.

Some of the traditional rulers who took part in the meeting include the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III; Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinrutan; Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunnjso 1; and Olugbon of Orilegbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao.

Also in attendance was the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko, and other heads of security agencies in Oyo State.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, who spoke at the end of the meeting hinted that though the meeting was at the instance of the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the trio could not fly out of Abuja due to bad weather.

He said that the governors and the traditional rulers thereafter decided to meet to appraise the security situation in the zone.

Akeredolu, who briefed newsmen about the resolutions of the meeting said, “The discussion we had with our Obas and security chiefs have been most productive. Many things we never thought of came up and we heard from our Kabiyesis more mature approach to challenges we are facing in the South West and the country at large.

“And from our discussion, we all agreed that the time is now that we support the decision of National Economic Council (NEC) about forests management. They believe that all the states should be in the position to manage their forests, which will give enough room to determine who is there, what purpose they are serving, and where you have people illegally. The states should be able to take steps to enable us preserve our forests.

“We all agreed that our borders have become too porous, and that we need to do something urgently to prevent foreign herdsmen from coming into this country without any form of caution, because a number of them have come in with their herds and what they do is of concern to us. We all believe that our borders need to be checked and tightened, so that all those foreigners from Niger Republic and those beyond bordering states don’t come in with their herds and destroy our farms.

“We also discussed that, as we are supporting other areas of farming, like rice farmers and others, there is need for government to support cattle breeding.

“One of the ways we can support cattle breeding is to change the ways cattle breeders are adopting now. So, there will be designated grazing areas, as well as feed mills. With these, there is no need to trek with herds from far. But, things that will lead to open grazing in these modern times must be looked at and the state and federal government, in particular, should give as much support as possible to cattle breeders”, he concluded

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Believe me, I’m not writing as a wailing wailer, or as a Prophet of doom. I am not writing as a clairvoyant or a seer. I merely write as a realist. The symptoms of a failed nation are just too palpable to be missed or ignored by a reasonable people. I am not talking about a State which has failed because of social and economic policies that even the authors and protagonists cannot decipher or fathom. This nation is on the precipice because its leaders are playing Russian Roulette with the security of Africa’s biggest and most important country. It is all now a matter of guesswork, that the gun is loaded, but the way we are going it is looking like every chamber is now full and not just one. Whatever shot you fire is bound to be the killer shot. Our leaders clearly know this but are in such an inebriated state that they have become oblivious, impervious and immune to all the danger signals.

I know power makes people blind. It intoxicates, addles the mind and takes full possession of the powerful, especially if they want to play God. This is why I’m shocked that some Nigerians are already daydreaming about becoming President in 2023, when they have no guarantee that Nigeria will still be alive by then. Or maybe I should not be surprised because what better can one expect from this bungling class of crass elements. The usual leading contenders, as typical of this confounding breed of persons, are pretending that all is well, although they know much better having been the contributors to, and cause, of the problem. They must not be seen to be criticizing the rudderless, directionless and visionless government of President Buhari lest they are marked down as enemies of the President. They know that elections are never held here, stricto sensu. What we have is a selection process with the hapless people being trundled out to deceive the unsuspecting international observers who can’t believe that what they are seeing is possible even in a Banana Republic. Simply put, elections are largely controlled from the very top, where the omnipotent President holds sway, and the outcome of the selection process is dictated by his whims and caprices.

If nobody has yet told the President, then he must hear this somehow. Our security situation is more than dire and grim. It is now catastrophic. Nigerians are now being killed, kidnapped and raped in places that used to know only peace. The orgy of banditry has since moved from the core North and middle belt to Yorubaland, previously considered a safe haven. The tales are unbelievably horrid and terrible. The situation in Ondo State is so critical that the Governor Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has now cried out that the “Fulani bandits” must move out of his State within seven days. I salute him for having the courage to say it as it is, being a member of the same party as our most reluctant President who seems unabashedly unaware of the bloody forays and operations perpetrated by some of his kinsmen in far-flung territories and domains outside their traditional space. The Governor obviously cried out in utter exasperation, frustration and, perhaps, fear. I knew him as a die-hard Buharist. But only a bastard would sit arms akimbo and watch his mother or daughter being raped by some monsters and say or do nothing! That is the situation in which Arakunrin Akeredolu has more or less found himself. As with the President, he has discovered, albeit tragically, that family comes first. Nobody will watch over yours, when theirs is also threatened by the same fate. As the Yorubas will say, “a ki so ori olori, ki awodi gbe t’eni lo”!

Osun State has virtually become a major theatre of war involving series of killings and kidnappings. I don’t know if the Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has been as vociferous as Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), but I am sure he is slowly being driven to come to the same conclusion. Akeredolu has nothing against the Fulani. There are many great and peaceful Fulani living in different parts of Nigeria. Some generations of Fulani people have fully integrated in those communities outside their sphere of influence without anyone raising eyebrows. But these bloodthirsty wanderers and vagrants, who are said to have meandered their ways from outside Nigeria, must be flushed out and ruthlessly dealt with regardless of whether the current President of Nigeria is their godfather, avuncular mentor, swami or whatever he represents to them.

The situation in Oyo State is just as scary. I have read the account from no less a personage than the highly respected and revered Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, another die-hard Buharist who now appears ready to part ways with Buhari if necessary. I have had the opportunity of sitting with Iku Baba Yeye, as we fondly call him, and I know how disappointed this esteemed traditional ruler is that the Federal Government has refused to act speedily and decisively on the matter of the gross insecurity ravaging and destroying the country. I was not surprised to receive his lengthy letter to the President days ago which I hope Buhari found time to read, or someone found the opportunity to read to him. I won’t bother to talk about very reserved and highly respectable and regarded Northern Leaders led by the spiritual monarch, The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, a cosmopolitan and cerebral leader I have come to love and adulate so much for his simplicity and forthrightness. Virtually every part of the nation is haemorrhaging to death while the Federal Government is watching helplessly and hopelessly!

The Alaafin has done well by properly documenting some of the dastardly acts of these merciless bandits and his public missive to our President, Muhammadu Buhari excerpts of which are worth repeating on these pages because the letter is one for posterity whatever fate befalls the entity presently known as Nigeria and whichever way the country goes in the end:

“In recent times however, I am worried about the security situation in the country, especially in the South West geo-political zone, nay the entire Yoruba-speaking area of the country including KWARA, Kogi, and Edo States.

“This has to do with the incessant and increasing menace of Fulani herdsmen that have laid siege in almost all the highways of Yorubaland. Whether in Owo, AKURE, Ilesanmi/Ife-Ibadan Road or Ibarapa zone and Ijebu area of Ogun State, the story is the same.

“I have held series of consultations with opinion moulders and eminent Yoruba leaders across board about the menace of these cattle herdsmen with such assault like raping of our women and on some occasions in the presence of their husbands. That is apart from massive destruction of our agricultural lands; which ultimately points to imminent starvation…

“After due consultations with Yoruba leaders… we are worried by the audacity of these lawless people in effecting their illegal acts in broad daylight on our usually bushy highways without any arm of security being able to do anything…

“Now, we cannot even talk of parading suspects, when in actual sense, no major arrests have been made in this part of the country. Without arrests we cannot talk of their facing of the law.

“Unfortunately, and painfully indeed, in the face of the apparent helplessness of our security agencies, where do we go from here?”

It is at the wake of this manifest frustration of our people that our people have found it unavoidable, even though reluctantly to resort to alternative measures to safeguard their lives and property… Today, it is not merely infraction in the course of doing business, but blatant and criminal violation of the constitutional right to life and liberty of innocent citizens of Yoruba land. A few publicly known instances will suffice.

Certain individuals were kidnapped along Erio-Aromoko Road, Ekiti State. They were tortured and exposed to danger in the forest for upward of two weeks.

These victims included the Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikole Branch, Adeola Adebayo, whose decomposing body was eventually found after a ransom price of four million Naira had been paid.

Two officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, both Yoruba, were picked up along Ilesa-Akure highway. In the process of this kidnap, an unnamed individual died.

Musibau Adetumbi, a legal practitioner based in Ibadan, was going to attend an Appeal Court session in Akure when he was kidnapped along Ilesa-Akure highway. Professor Adegbehingbe, a surgeon at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife was abducted along Ibadan-Ile-Ife highway. Dr. Muslim Omoleke, the Administrative Secretary of the National Electoral Commission was kidnapped around Ilesa, Osun State.

Mr Ayo Oladele, an employee of Guinness Nigeria, and an Old Student of Christ School, Ado-Ekiti, was abducted and taken away and lately, Dayo Adewole, son of a member of your 2015-2019 executive council and Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole was kidnapped on his farm at Iroko, a village along Ibadan-Oyo Road…

As ugly as the picture above seems to be, the people of Yoruba land have remained generally peaceful and have resisted concerted efforts to push them into civil disobedience or adopting self-help mechanisms to protect themselves…

I am therefore writing to you, as a concerned stakeholder in your administration, to alert you and demonstrate to you, the urgency of the need to quickly respond to these and other issues concerning Yoruba land….

There is a general impression among opposition group that you are not known to take decisive and proactive steps in many matters of national interest and that you are not usually too disturbed about the gale of insecurity in Yoruba land…

As no major arrest of Fulani pseudo herdsmen has been made till date in Yoruba land, suspects cannot be paraded, let alone arraigned…

I am aware that members of the Odua People’s Congress scattered all over the world are already being mobilized to stand in the defence of their land and are ready, willing and able to raise an army of volunteers as was done in 1968 by the Agbekoya…”

These are pearly words of wisdom and advice from a monarch who is practically deified in Yoruba land. The President has been stridently admonished and strongly advised in forceful, resounding and vibrating language which is reverberating all over the polity. Effectively, Alaafin Adeyemi is saying that enough is enough and that things will get pretty unpleasant and nasty, pretty soon, unless the President wakes up from his deep, almost comatose, slumber and does the needful by a wholesale revamp and reshaping of our security architecture and thereby protect his fellow Nigerian citizens. The President swore to uphold our Constitution, it is about time that he started upholding that oath by acting like a patriotic Nigerian and safeguarding all his people and preserving their property.

On a similar note, I have been watching the videos of a militant Yoruba man, named Sunday Igboho, from Oyo State and what I see is raw determination to unleash mayhem, if need be, to protect his kinsmen from the brigands and mosstroopers trampling on them and their rights. The views Igboho expresses are symptomatic and reflective of the views of most of Yoruba land. He is the latest Yoruba hero for his fearlessness.

I hope and pray that President Buhari would appreciate this authentic security briefing from The Alaafin, one of Africa’s most important custodians of tradition and culture and resist the temptation of sending his trigger-happy military against the people of Oyo State. They are obviously ready for a full-scale showdown and battle in order to redeem their manhood against the rampaging kidnappers, rapists, raiders and corsairs. I foresee a civil war and bloodbath if action is not taken soon.

May this cup pass over us…

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Congratulating the custodian of culture on his 50th coronation anniversary, Tegbe said Oba Adeyemi has displayed uncommon wisdom and emotional intelligence in administering his domain, fostering peace and sustainable development.

In a statement signed on Thursday and made available to Mega Icon Magazine, the APC chieftain added that the Alaafin has not only “sustained our heritage and identity as a people”, but also used his throne to build bridges of friendship and harmony in the state, across Yoruba Land and beyond.

“I felicitate with His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III on the 50th Anniversary of his ascension to the throne.

“In half a century, Kábíyèsí has displayed uncommon wisdom and emotional intelligence in administering his domain, fostering peace and sustainable development.

“Iku Baba Yeye has sustained our heritage and identity as a people. He is best described as an encyclopedia of the culture and traditions of the entire Yoruba race.

“Our Father has used his throne to build bridges of friendship and harmony in the state, across Yoruba Land and beyond.

“I remain proud of his progressive ideals, particularly the legacy of peace and harmony which Yorubas are known for.

“I pray that Kabiyesi spends many more years in good health”, the statement read.

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Governor Makinde described the monarch as a father and royal icon with exemplary conduct and leadership.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as adding that the Alaafin’s impact on the society has been immense.

He prayed to God to continue to grant Kabiyesi good health to lead the people and to make more impact on Oyo Kingdom, Oyo State, Nigeria and humanity at large.

“On behalf of the Government and good People of Oyo State, I congratulate our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, on his 82nd birthday.

“Kabiyesi, we celebrate you as you mark another year of your eventful and impactful life.

“You are a father and royal icon of exemplary conduct in our society.

“I join your family, well wishers and numerous subjects to pray that God continues to enable you with wisdom and sound health and assure you more positive impacts on humanity, your domain, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
“Happy Birthday, Kabiyesi Iku Baba Yeye”, the  statement read.

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Gbajabiamila said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi in Abuja on Sunday that Ayinde-Marshal’s selection as the first Mayegun of Yorubaland speaks volume of his contributions to the Yoruba race.

The Speaker noted with delight how Ayinde-Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, has been mesmerizing Nigerians with his Fuji genre of music over the years.

He said Ayinde-Marshal, who is to be installed by the Alaafin on Monday, January 13, 2020 at the palace of His Royal Majesty in Oyo, has carved a niche for himself, which most Nigerians, especially lovers of Fuji music, have come to cherish so much.

Gbajabiamila recalled with nostalgia how Ayinde-Marshal popularised his music among Nigerians across the length and breadth of the country, irrespective of tribe or ethnicity.

“I have no doubts on my mind that the installation of Olasunkami Ayinde-Marshal as the first Mayegun of Yorubaland is an honour well deserved.

“This is because he has not only become a household name in Yorubaland and indeed Nigeria as a whole, but he has also been a good ambassador of the Yoruba people to the world.

“Here is one individual that has traversed the music industry in Nigeria for over three decades, and not for once has he failed to use his music to promote good values.

“I can say without equivocation that His Royal Majesty and the Oyomesis’ have made the right decision of choosing K1 De Ultimate as the first Mayegun of Yorubaland.

“I congratulate Ayinde-Marshal on this great feat,” the Speaker said.

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According to palace source, this decision was in line with the spirit of common empathy and solidarity with the Akesan Market Fire victims.

The installation of the Fuji idol, Wasiu Ayinde as the Mayegun of Yorubaland, which was earlier billed for  Monday, 13th January, 2020, has been summarily suspended.

“What befell the people of Oyo, in terms of losses and ruins, is unquantifiable and heart-wrenching.

“The institution of the Alaafin of Oyo respects the mood of the masses. We cannot be celebrating while our people are groaning in pains and utter agonies”, Prince Adeyemi Akeem added.

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