Stop Ascribing Etymology Of Other Tribes To Yorubas, Oluwo Implores Other Yoruba Monarchs

—As Yoruba Council of Elders visit him in his palace

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi has cautioned Yoruba traditional rulers from ascribing etymology of other tribes to the Yorubas.

Oba Akanbi, however, reiterated his commitment to protect Yoruba race and its appurtenance from infiltration such as deity worshipping by kings, land grabbing and traditional lording.

Oluwo made these known while addressing the delegates of the Yoruba Council of Elders, who visited him on Wednesday, at his palace, in Iwo, Osun State.

New Telegraph reports that the team, led by their National President, Chief Ajibade Oyekan, disclosed the visit is meant to familiarize the council with Oluwo, promote traditional unity and brainstorm on Yoruba culture and traditions.

The President stated the move becomes necessary to promote Yoruba traditional council cohesion and discuss the means to checkmate the disproportionate losing of Yoruba land to strangers.

In his reaction, Oba Akanbi commended YCE leadership for the visitation, their holistic interest to protect Yoruba sovereignty and called on the council to caution Yoruba traditional rulers ascribing the etymology of other tribes to the Yorubas.

He revealed the historical citation made by a king in Yorubaland is been used as authority and called on the council to call for the retrieval of the statement.

Oluwo affirmed his interest in protecting his subjects and their properties including land. He revealed he has not sold a plot of land since his enthronement as the Oluwo of Iwoland.

According to Oluwo “I appreciate and commend the leadership of the Yoruba Council Of Elders (YCE) for their visitation and love-rooted interest for the sovereignty of Yorubaland and cohesion amongst Yoruba Traditional Rulers and Yoruba race by extension”

“You have acted holistically. I love discussion solutions which is what they came for. I’m a cleaner. As a cleaner, you have to clean your house. I’m ready to work with them to clean Yoruba race. Yorubas are great people with excellent culture. I’m proud of Yoruba Council of Elders thoughtfulness, to visit and deliberate. This is a great move and tells a good future for the Yorubas”

“Equally, I want YCE leadership to deliberate on my monarchical teachings most especially the freedom of Yoruba sons and daughters from mental slavery and upgrade of Yoruba culture by separating religion from culture and traditions”

“I call on Yoruba traditional rulers to re-engineer the spirit of love to entrench the institution as a fatherly position and not the usual fear tactics introduced to the throne by certain religion”

In his words the National President, Chief Oyekan said “I don’t know Oluwo this much. His majesty is opened. I neither know him this close nor this much. He has opened up for Yoruba unity and integrity which YCE stands for. What he like, he told us. What he dislikes he told us. Even culture is dynamic. That is what Oluwo is telling us”

“We are for peace and unity of Yorubaland. Yoruba should be in one accord. We have listened to Kabiesi, he hosted us. We are here for almost 5 hours”

“We want other traditional rulers to also be dynamic, to be opened to change. Not crazy change but good change. There were many things our father did in the past, no more of such. We want our monarchs to hold our culture and ensure they are dynamic to meet up with modern reality and promote tourism. It’s only when we upgrade that it can be attracted to and accepted by modern blood”

Others in the delegates of the council were the Secretary General, Engr. Oladipo Oyewole, Chief (Mrs.) Funmilayo Jabaru ( Financial Secretary), Chief Akindele Aremu (Treasurer), Lagos State Chapter Secretary, Chief Olabisi Fadipe and prominent members of the council.