Alaafin: My good plans for Oyo remain unshaken, seeks prayers for Buhari

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has said harmonization of norms and values embedded in traditional institutions, with the modern system of governance is the only antidote in reducing, if not totally eradicating, the problems of access to justice and conflict resolution in the country.
Oba Adeyemi gave the advice on Sunday at Church of God, The Excellent Way, Oke Oroki in Oyo town, during a thanksgiving service, as part of activities to mark his 79th birthday ceremony.
The paramount ruler said this became imperative because socio-cultural norms embedded in traditional institutions have remained an integral part of the people.
Alaafin, who declared that his good plans for the people of the ancient town remain unshaken, noted that apart from being the powerful human tool for survival, the defined cultural norms and values also form the bases of existence of every civilized society and they bring order which in turn makes the society devoid of any state of lawlessness.
He narrated how the ancient town of Oyo was polarized into two
opposing camps as a result of religious and political upheavals before
he ascended the throne as the first literate traditional ruler.
‘’During this turbulent period, harmony, mutual trust and fraternity
completely broke down. Violence, acts of terror and hooliganism
equally took the centre stage. Things fell apart to the extent that
people were fleeing from the town to seek abode elsewhere. All these had not relented when I was chosen as the next Alaafin.’’
‘’ After my installation in 1971 and by a direct diplomatic offensive,
I targeted some men who were on the two sides of the political and
religious divides. These patriotic men, some of who had died, answered my royal call and the turbulence not only stopped, the polarization ceased and town re-united. Even, the Central mosque which was split
into two became one and every muslim who wished to worship there was
accommodated. ‘’
Oba Adeyemi said God used him and some subjects to effect a change
that has put the town on new lease of peace and a sound community of
interest that remains mutual heritage today.
He said the art of resolving conflict is borne out of a belief that
conflict which is inevitable should not and must not be left alone,
but be put under control by interacting with relevant parties to
develop common principles and practices that would return cordial
relationship against violence.
According to him, ‘’during conflicts, traditional rulers , therefore
undoubtedly  played significant roles in managing these conflicts
informally and arranging  peace-making meetings when matters get out
of hand. These governance institutions and structures were controlled
by certain unwritten laws which formed part of general social
structure, and, its machinery of enforcing governance was well
organized to manage affairs, administered justice and resolve tension
in the society’’.
‘’However, during colonial era, there was a role change as the roles
and offices of traditional rulers were either usurped by the
colonialist or their subjects’’.
Alaafin also called on religious leaders to continue to pray for a resounding health for President Muhammadu Buhari in the arduous task of sanitising the country from hydra-headed monsters of corruption and ineptitude.
He assured Nigerians not to be unnecessarily apprehensive about the present administration, saying the era of  oligarchy and corruption-ridden governance with contents of the National Anthem and pledge being turned into mere nominal mouthing has gone for good.
Alaafin said positive development in good governance and
accountability being witnessed presently in Nigeria is serving as a
beacon of hope for the rest of the citizens of the West African
sub-continent in particular and Africa in general.
‘’Until recently, lack of transparency, probity, and accountability in
Nigeria translates into a pandemic across the sub-region and the
continent as a vacuum is created by the absence of effective Nigerian
leadership. President Buhari’s victory which was a victory of hope and
transformation will translate into the beginning of a new renaissance
in the sub-region and the whole of the African continent
for a new democracy in which wanton corruption, abuse of power, lack
of transparency in governance, deceit of the citizenry, ineptitude,
ethnicity and impunity were orders of the day.’’
The paramount ruler asserted that changing a Government under which
the mass of ordinary people were unnecessarily and needlessly burdened
over the years under the yoke of massive and pervasive corruption,
deliberate oligarchic mismanagement of abundant natural resources,
party political and ethnic cronyism and abject ineptitude peacefully
through the ballot box is a feat worthy of emulation by other citizens
of the West African sub-continent in particular and Africa in general.
‘’The track record of the President and his unassailable commitment to
democratic processes since Constitutional governance in Nigeria in1999
gives hope that under his leadership, Nigeria will once more instill
the values of good, and accountable governance not only in Nigeria but
will also be an advocate for those values and norms in the West
African sub-region and the continent at large.’’
While praying God Almighty to guide and guard President Buhari and the people
of the country in the difficulty but must-do task of honesty and
accountable governance that lies ahead , Oba Adeyemi was of the
conviction that the integrity and honesty as well as a never-give up
attitude of the President to a positive cause would prevail throughout
his term and empower like-minded leaders on the African continent to
emulate and follow such shining path.
 ‘’May the President use his wisdom and diligence to carry along all
Nigerians, including those who did not vote for him, in order to
achieve the common purpose of rebuilding a strong, motivated and
united country that will demonstrate the expected leadership on the
African continent.’’
In his sermon titled, THE BEST IS YET TO COME,, Reverend Dr. Femi
Afolabi, urged His Imperial Majesty to forget the past negatively and
positively but to move forward, work with and in God closer, work for
God and to wash hands clean of anything that annoys God.
Wihile lauding Oba Adeyemi for what he referred to as ‘His exemplary
leadership qualities and resilience for well being of his people’’,
Afolabi buttressed his sermon from the holy book of Bible; Psalm 127
verse one, Acts of the Apostle Chapter ten, 1st  Corinthians Chapter
three, Psalm 51,and 2nd Chronicle, Chapter twenty verse fifteen.
He admonished the paramount ruler not to be distracted by ranting of
some disgruntled elements whose trademarks are persecution, acrimony,
and subterranean moves to stultify growth and development, but to
surge ahead and remain undaunted, focused and dedicated to the divine
tasks ahead of him and their accomplishments.
The first Bible lesson taken from Psalm 100 was read by the Alaafin’s
eldest son, Tunde Adeyemi.
Special prayers were offered by the officiating Ministers of God for
the monarch, his family, Oyo metropolis, the State and the nation as a
whole.
The church was filled to the brim as the colorful thanksgiving service
witnessed a galaxy of politicians, businessmen, academics, religious
and community leaders, embers of the Oyo Traditional Council [Oyo
Mesi], traditional rulers, Baales and a large crowd of elated residents.