Oluwo reiterates commitment to Yoruba identity

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has reiterated his commitment to protecting the Yoruba race from practices he described as infiltrations, such as deity worship by kings, land grabbing and the misuse of traditional authority.

Oba Akanbi also affirmed his dedication to safeguarding his subjects and their properties, including land, noting that he had not sold a single plot since his enthronement as the Oluwo of Iwoland.

He made this known while receiving a delegation of the Yoruba Council of Elders, YCE, led by its National President, Chief Ajibade Oyekan, in Iwo on Wednesday.

The Oluwo commended the YCE leadership for their visit and their holistic interest in protecting Yoruba sovereignty. He also urged the council to caution Yoruba traditional rulers against attributing the etymology of other tribes to the Yoruba people.

According to Oluwo: “I appreciate and commend the leadership of the Yoruba Council of Elders for their visitation and love-rooted interest for the sovereignty of Yorubaland and cohesion amongst Yoruba Traditional Rulers and Yoruba race by extension.

“You have acted holistically. I love discussion solutions which is what they came for. I’m a cleaner. As a cleaner, you have to clean your house. I’m ready to work with them to clean the Yoruba race. Yorubas are great people with excellent culture. I’m proud of the Yoruba Council of Elders thoughtfulness, to visit and deliberate. This is a great move and it indicates a good future for the Yorubas.

“Equally, I want YCE leadership to deliberate on my monarchical teachings, most especially the freedom of Yoruba sons and daughters from mental slavery and upgrade of Yoruba culture by separating religion from culture and traditions.

“I call on Yoruba traditional rulers to re-engineer the spirit of love to entrench the institution as a fatherly position and not the usual fear tactics introduced to the throne by certain religion.”

Responding, Chief Oyekan said the visit became necessary to promote cohesion among Yoruba traditional councils and discuss how to check the disproportionate loss of Yoruba land to outsiders.

In his words: “I don’t know Oluwo this much. His majesty is open. I neither know him this close nor this much. He has opened up for Yoruba unity and integrity which YCE stands for. What he likes, he told us. What he dislikes he told us. Even culture is dynamic. That is what Oluwo is telling us.

“We are for peace and unity of Yorubaland. Yoruba should be in one accord. We have listened to Kabiyesi. He hosted us. We are here for almost five hours.

“We want other traditional rulers to also be dynamic, to be open to change, not crazy change, but good change. There were many things our father did in the past, no more of such. We want our monarchs to hold our culture and ensure they are dynamic to meet up with modern reality and promote tourism. It’s only when we upgrade that it can be attracted to and accepted by modern blood.”

Other members of the delegation included the Secretary General, Engr. Oladipo Oyewole; Chief (Mrs.) Funmilayo Jabaru (Financial Secretary); Chief Akindele Aremu (Treasurer); Lagos State Chapter Secretary, Chief Olabisi Fadipe; and other prominent members of the council.

Oluwo reiterates commitment to Yoruba identity