Oluwo Wants Traditionalists to Convert Idols to Tourist Attractions

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has charged traditionalists in Nigeria to convert their idols to tourist attractions inline with modern reality to boost the country’s economy.

Oba Akanbi stated this at his palace in Iwo on Thursday while receiving members of Traditional Religion Worshippers Association Osun (TRWASO), according to a press statement issued by his Media Aide, Mr Ibraheem Alli.

Oluwo attributed the scanty populace of traditionalists to non promotion of their belief to modern taste, urging them to repackage their shrines to modern standard devoid of dirtiness.

The traditional ruler maintained that Yoruba culture is an asset to the country’s economy, even as he lamented non appreciation of its value by custodians of the said culture.

He condemned the harshness associated with traditional deities as discouraging, imploring traditionalists to revoke the stringency spiritually attached to their belief.

Oluwo urged the traditionalists to support his programme tagged “Invading the Invaders” targeting at promoting western dresses made from local fabrics (Ofi) to be called Telu Jeans.

Oba Akanbi explained that the ofi would be used to make western dress of all kinds, like school uniforms, bags, etc, affirming that such will lure Nigerians to appreciate our culture and promote our economy.

He disclosed that his partnership with Bank of Industry (BOI) was at the top gear for external materialization of Telu jeans, saying he would not relent in promoting Yoruba culture and accessories.

The Oluwo further advised traditionalists to turn the idols to tourist attractions of festivity with gate fee to boost the nation`s income and modernize it to interest prospective attendants.

Oba Akanbi said: “The idols and deities must turn to tourist centre if our culture will appreciate. The traditional sacred places need the attention of her believers but I will suggest the renovation/modernization of the shrines to attract people`s attention. Otherwise, no children will mingle nor visit a dirty shrine again. If properly position, those items can be turned to festivity.”

Oluwo recalled that the knowledge of Ifa in the olden day was commendable, saying it played vital roles in showing productive direction to confused issues, but condemned in totality those worshipping Ifa as God, saying only novice will claim idols are bigger than monarch.

He added anyone can worship anything he/she so desires but must not be raised above traditional rulers, pointing the crown is an illuminator that can never bow for darkness.

Oba Akanbi said the idolatry devotion of some traditional rulers has tainted the traditional institution and has avoidably turned them to civil servants in the hands of most politicians, reiterating kings`are ignorance of the divine commandment attached to the throne.

Oluwo added the genuine origin of government (Ijoba) was “Association of Monarchs” (Ijo Oba) and disclosed the retrogression was as a result of non appreciation of the source of natural power of the crown. “Kings are not human being but representative of God on earth”, he said.

He added: “Regard for monarch is respect for God. And there can never be two kings in a palace. Monarch who bows to any idol is arrogating the power of the crown to the idol. Since I am a representative of God through service to humanity, the stool should be clean, holy, devoid of rituals and as such, no other small gods should be in palace premises.

“That is why I evacuated the ogun in my place to far away place and people worship it better in the place and not in the abode of God (palace)

“The origin of government (ijoba) is assemblage of monarch (Oba). And for us to regain the status, we must acknowledge our divine position devoid of idolatry and use it properly. It is regrettable that most traditional rulers have turned themselves to civil servants in the hands of politicians and idols.”