From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo.
A Professor of International Relatins at the University of Ilorin, Hassan Salihu, has described the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, as “a purveyor of authentic Yoruba tradition and symbol of philosopher king among traditional rulers’’.
Salihu made the remarks at a lecture delivered in Oyo town, as part of activities for the celebration of Alaafin’s birthday
who clocked 77 years.
The lecture held in the palace was entitled, Concepts and Values of the Alaafin In Yoruba land.
He said given the responsibility of the Alaafin who is expected to be diplomatic, energetic and protective of his people, the Alaafins before the incumbent posed all these qualities hence, their success in building a strong empire and founding a new settlement with an efficient palace bureaucracy and an unwritten but resilient constitution.
Salihu stated that Oba Adeyemi became the monarch at a time when articulation was needed to save, protect and promote the heritage and the glory of Oyo and the Yoruba.
“Oba Adeyemi is the first western educated Alaafin. But western education, on its own, cannot make a person articulate. It requires clarity of language, erudition, agile mind, seriousness of purpose and, of course, courage. Oba Adeyemi possesses all these before he became the Alaafin. He is politically, historically and socially sensitive”.
The guest lecturer submitted that Alaafin’s articulation can be more appreciated when one examines the contents of his writings under the groupings of governance, politics, social developments and general history.
“All these are the manifestation of the philosophy of the Alaafin and his vision and mission for his people, race and country. This philosophy is upholding, preserving, projecting and defending the historical tradition and native laws and customs of the people. In addition, it is the living embodiment of the cherished cultural heritage of the Yoruba people and the accredited custodian of this tradition to fight an defend same.
“Clearly, this philosophy and the consequent articulation is independent in all things and never neutral in nothing
affecting the progress and development of Oyo as well as inherited traditions of the Yoruba.’’
Earlier, former Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Oyo State, Mr. Femi Mapaderom, decried what he called “gradual extinction of Yoruba Customs and traditions.’’
Mapaderun, who was angered at how modernisation has been allowed to bombard Yoruba traditions, warned that ‘’as things move at the present time, it will be disastrous if we fold our arms allowing our traditions to dwindle into oblivion in the face of permissiveness’’.
The occasion was witnessed by the deputy governor of Oyo State, Alake Adeyemo, as well as traditional rulers from Lagos, Osun, Ekiti, Ogun and Oyo states.
