Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, on Tuesday, threw his weight behind the Yoruba Obas Forum’s call against having a Yoruba Oba in the Diaspora.
Iba Gani Adams said the Forum’s reaction to the issue was timely, describing it as the best approach to stop the cultural infraction that has been affecting the image of Nigeria and Yoruba race in particular.
The Yoruba generallissimo in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, said it is illegal for anybody living outside the shores of Nigeria to parade himself as a Yoruba Oba.
“Given my position as the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, it is part of my duties and responsibilities to protect the sacred stool of our traditional rulers as well as the sanctity of the Yoruba traditional institution. It is illegal, unfortunate and uncalled-for for anybody living in the diaspora to say he is an Oba in a foreign land.
“There’s a law that clearly explains the importance of the traditional institution as one of the most respected institutions in Nigeria and Yorubaland. So, the institution must be respected so as to retain its pride of place in the history of our race.
On the other hand, there is also a law that allows the government to install an Oba gives the state government with the support of the state legislatures across the region.
“There’s a law that also gives the Oba the responsibility of installing his chieftains.
“In Nigeria, there are other nationals like the Jews, the Arabs, Indians and Chinese,but none of these races have an Oba of their races in any part of Nigeria.
“Moreso,there are other tribes in Nigeria.We have the Hausa,we have the Benin and we have the Itsekiri,or Fulani, however, none of these tribes have an Oba in the diaspora.
“So, you cannot go to Europe, Italy, Holland or Germany and claim to be an Oba of Itsekiri, Benin, Hausa or Fulani or even Emir anywhere in Europe and in the world or outside the North.
“For instance, the Benin people have at least, 30 per cent of Nigeria across Europe. So,I applauded the efforts of all the Obas under the aegies of the YOF for raising their voices against the illegal practice”.
Highlighting the beauty and core values of Yoruba race,Iba Adams pointed out also that the Yoruba is respected all over the world because of the rich contents of their culture,adding that there is a law that gave the legal backing to the traditional rites and procedures before an Oba is installed in Yoruba land.
“The Yoruba Community and other apex organizations are what is obtainable abroad,not an Oba.What is happening in a state like Dallas in the United States of America (USA) and countries like France,Holland and Ireland,Egypt and Gambia is a total denigration of Yoruba culture and tradition.
“With the information at my disposal, it is no doubt that the Yoruba Communities in those countries are against the practice of installing a Yoruba Obas in the diaspora.
“The Yoruba community remains one of the foremost Yoruba group abroad with members of the executive including the President, Secretary and other members.
“For instance,it is unfortunate if an authentic Yoruba Oba have an
audience with a foreigner and we could not recognize the real Oba from the pretenders masquerading as Oba in the diaspora.
“So,I am appealing to the Ooni of Ife,His imperial majesties,Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi,Alake of Egba land,Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Awujale of Ijebu land,Oba Sikiru Adetona and other prominent Obas in Yoruba land to support the YOF in condemning the illegal practice of a Yoruba Oba in the diaspora.
“We need to sanitize the traditional institution.A Yoruba Oba in diaspora is uncalled for and it is a complete denigration of Yoruba culture and tradition.Such a practice should not be allowed to stand at all”,Iba said.
