At an event many hours ago, the controversial Oba of Lagos, HRM Oba Rilwan Akiolu, publicly humiliated the Ooni of Ife, HRM Oba Enitan Adeyeye.
The two traditional rulers had met at an event, and with Oba Akiolu and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, already seated, Oba Adeyeye first exchanged pleasantries with Achebe, who was sitting closest to him. Then, as he extended a hand to Akiolu, the man shunned him in the full glare of many. And turned away immediately.
Taking the pubic disgrace in his stride, the Ooni walked to his seat, not uttering any word. However, some of the people present as well as those who have seen the video, obviously saddened by Akiolu’s action, have been blasting him. Describing his action as unbecoming and unacceptable, especially coming from an elder and a traditional ruler of his caliber.
Below is the first one from Verdant Zeal’s Tunji Olugbodi:
‘In yoruba land, the twin notion of BIBIRE & OMOLUABI (good conduct & upbringing based on noble heritage) are held in high esteem. It is the basis by which maturity, tact, wisdom, respect for others, hospitality, friendliness and orderly conduct are judged and measured. And celebrated. In all these, wisdom and maturity are, perhaps, the best indicators that demonstrate the capacity to lead and be respected for arriving at decisions and solutions that may not necessarily align with particular expectations, but the results will be pleasing and welcomed regardless. Tact, diplomacy, circumspection. Even the bible speaks to the need to obtain wisdom, and to use tact (solemnity) to achieve end results where there is strife. The conduct of the Oba of Lagos has always left a sour taste in the mouth. Tact certainly is not one of his great assets, nor is Laakaye- native wisdom. We can then understand why some reign without ruling, and where they manage to rule, they are at best usurpers to what should ordinarily be the hallowed ground for people who, at least with age and responsibility of office, show progressive wisdom acquisition. It used to be said that ‘ade ori la fi nmo Oba’ (a king is easily identified by his royal gait). Unfortunately, some are also identified by their misbehaviour and permanent foot in the mouth. The so called Oba of Lagos is a disgrace to any claim to royal heritage. Certainly a bad copy for anyone who claims to be a leader, a kabiyesi. Worse still , an elder of any stock. The Ooni was not the one humiliated- it is the common ancestry and decency that Lagos and Lagosians stand for that was rubbished. Sadly, you can’t give what you don’t have. Agba kii so’ro bi ewe.’
The second is from Olawale Olaleye of ThisDay:
‘For the first time in a very long time, words failed me over Oba Rilwan Akiolu’s sheer lack of self-worth and personal discipline, not only as an Oba but an adult. I’d thought that none of Oba Akiolu’s despicable demeanor would ever stun me again, because I had been privileged to see him outside of his enclave a few times and honestly, the aura around him has never been anything royal or dignifying, to say the least.
But his recent display of poor mannerism against the Oonirisa at a public function shocked me to my marrow. I was and still ashamed that a Yoruba Oba, supposedly so, would be that badly behaved in public. This is not a debate on the basis of age; Oonirisa is not and will never be his mate, whenever the royal calibration is done. Oga ni master.
It is now that I am beginning to believe the stories that preceded Akiolu’s ascension to the throne. Indeed, no one that truly boasts the blue blood would do that to any Oba, let alone the Oonirisa. The whole of the Yoruba land must take this seriously and the entire traditional institution in the country must condemn this denigrating, infantile, ignominious, unprovoked, arrogant and over-exaggeration of self by this political Oba of Lagos, because if he could do this to Oonirisa, he would do it to any other traditional ruler in the country.
He lacks self-restraint and is always driven by impulse – completely thoughtless. He is habitually uncouth. He has never learnt to know when to draw the line and does not see any life outside of his deficient royal deportment. Oonirisa, you have no doubt proven to be a first class Oba. Kabieyesi o!’
And the third, from Fred Chukwuelobe of Pointsize Communications:
‘I am not Yoruba, but my little knowledge of their monarchy tells me the Ooni of Ife is higher in rank to the Oba of Lagos island. What happened between the duo at an event in Lagos when the Oba refused to shake hands with the Ooni when the later politely walked to him, speaks volumes. I think it’s the lowest the former AIG of police could descend. After almost spoiling the chances of gov. Akinwunmi Ambode during the last governorship campaign, when he dared Ndigbo resident in Lagos to vote for Jimi Agbaje and get drowned in the lagoon, I thought he had learnt some lessons. To publicly ridicule the revererd Ooni is an insult on the entire Yoruba race. And if I’m not wrong, the greatest attribute of the Yoruba is respect to institutions and elders. Correct me if I’m right. The Oba surely needs a serious reprimand from the Yoruba nation.
According to Wikipedia, “The Oòni (or king) of Ife claims direct descent from Oduduwa, and is counted first among the Yoruba kings. He is traditionally considered the 401st spirit (Orisha), the only one that speaks. In fact, the royal dynasty of Ife traces its origin back to the founding of the city more than ten thousand years before the birth of Jesus Christ. The present ruler is Adeyeye Ogunwusi, styled His Imperial Majesty by his subjects. The Ooni ascended his throne in 2015. Following the formation of the Yoruba Orisha Congress in 1986, the Ooni acquired an international status the likes of which the holders of his title hadn’t had since the city’s colonisation by the British. Nationally he had always been prominent amongst the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s company of royal Obas, being regarded as the chief priest and custodian of the holy city of all the Yorubas.”
So, the Oba of Lagos has disrespected the entire Yoruba race both at home and in the diaspora. I rest my case.’
Veteran journalist, Dare Babarinsa, finished it:
‘KABIYESI OONI AND HIS REBELIOUS SON
I watched the video of the encounter between Baba Kabiyesi Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and his angry son, Rilwan Akinolu, the Eleko of Lagos. One could only advise that Baba Ooni should forgive the recalcitrant former policeman. Omode lo n se won!’