Anti-terror war: Alaafin urges China to support Buhari

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has urged the People’s Republic of China to give logistics support to President Muhammadu Buhari in fighting terrorism in Nigeria.
Oba Adeyemi gave the admonition at a colourful reception for China’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian, and his entourage who were on a courtesy visit to the paramount ruler in his ancient Oyo palace.
He said wanton destruction of lives and properties by the Boko Haram sect and other groups engaged in terror acts has not only reached an intolerable level, Nigerians are becoming more apprehensive and
worried about the state of insecurity, especially flagrant disregard for human lives.
“The country is going through serious security challenges  and perhaps the most difficult trouble after the end of the civil war in 1970. What is more disturbing  is that  these Boko Haram insurgents and their allied cannot have such sophisticated and destructive
weapons  to terrorise without receiving backings of some allies somewhere”.
Alaafin noted that China, as the second
largest economy in the world, can assist and mobilise other allied nations to come to the aid of the Federal Government in curbing terrorism in the country.
‘’Threats to human lives are not only serious acts of terrorism but indeed an abomination. This is why every well-meaning Nigerian and good friends of the country must see the current war against dreaded
Boko Haram and other subversive elements  as a welcomed development and give total support, in order to save the country from the siege of terrorism’’.
Security, he explained, is critical to the survival of any nation to forestall lawlessness, chaos and the eventual disintegration of the country, as it is considered as a dynamic condition, which involves the relative ability of a nation to counter threats to its core values and interests..
Describing the visit of the Ambassador and his entourage visit as ‘uniquely historic’, and attestation of
China’s sincere concern for the preservation of cultural heritage, the royal father pointed out that the visit was a melting pot of human culture, and a testing ground for human ability  to co-habit, relate and working together for mutual relationship. It will also afford China opportunity to know the level of assistance to be rendered to the people, especially rural dwellers, in terms of provision of needed amenities.
Oba Adeyemi observed that the time to begin to appreciate and re-appreciate the cultural importance to Yoruba and national growth “is critically now as experiences suggest that the pathways to
development are strategically hidden in the cultures and
cultural-political determinations”.
“Culture as viable tool of development are under-estimated and not annexed even when the Americans and European Union (EU) are doing everything possible to annex their many cultures for national and regional sustainable development drive. Brazil, India and China,
as well as South Korea, Indonesia, and Singapore all built their paths to development on traditional values and culture’’.
Interestingly, he stated that ‘’these Western countries, including the Asian Tigers all started the journey to development with Nigeria but they have since left Nigeria far behind in the race to development. The gap is very wide and is still being widened as the
missing link in Nigeria is still not being annexed’’.
“Our religion is a cultural heritage of inestimable
value. It defines us, provides understanding for our life and connects us with our past, so that we can chart a course of greatness and development for our children’.
“Every culture has an explanation for the creation
of the Universe. Yoruba traditional believers see the world as a product of two connected worlds; the visible world of material life and the invisible spiritual world. The connection of these two worlds produces power that is called ASE in Yoruba cosmology. For the Yoruba,
the Creator rules over the entire universe manifesting the elements of nature. These indigenous beliefs and practices are a life philosophy and natural science; we see the relationship of man with nature and
universe. Revealing the ways in which humans can be in harmony with the energies of nature and the universe. It is the basis for understanding the beginning and end of life.’’
The Ambassador, who was excited at the reception
and honour accorded him and his entourage, said he was in school when he first learnt about the history of Oyo Empire, Oduduwa and Oranyan.
While thanking the Alaafin for the opportunity to know more about the Oyo Empire, kingdoms, kingships culture and tradition, the Ambassador said: “We are here to explore and understand the culture of the
kingdom which is the greatest in Yoruba land, and one of the greatest in West Africa.
“Oyo Empire was the most powerful in West Africa, with
distinct and outstanding administration, as it shared the same philosophy with that of China, a people-oriented administration”.
The Ambassador also lauded the Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District and  Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu, who he described as ‘’a devoted,
conscientious and patriotic lawmaker whose unalloyed interest in the development of her community and  the district she represents brought them to the ancient palace’’.
Earlier, Senator Sunmonu, who facilitated the visit, said the motive was to have an assessment of Yoruba culture and how China can assist the people.
Sunmonu eulogised China for its contributions
towards national growth and development.
The visiting Ambassador was later decorated with traditional aso ofi attire to the delight of large turnout of residents..
However, the great value of Yoruba culture and tradition which were once discarded and demonised by the Western world was publicly acknowledged, admired and appreciated by the Ambassador and his entourage at the event.
During the reception, some cultural displays, including Sango, were arranged to entertain the guests.
When it was the turn of Sango, one of the worshippers was shot in the chest by a hunter with a locally made gun. The male Sango worshipper fell down immediately. This arose the curiosity of the envoy who was
apparently dump founded as to what would happen next.
Few minutes, thereafter, the Sango worshipper rose and vomited all the bullets sustained from the gunshot, uninjured.
This thrilled the Ambassador who was amazed and admired the Sango worshippers for their magical display.