Why I Adopt Emir Regalia-Oluwo

A prominent and First Class Yoruba traditional ruler in Osun State, The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi has adopted full Emir regalia and jettisoned his regular Yoruba dress.

• The monarch also banished some idols, particular the popular one that has been in the palace since time immemorial.

Oba Akanbi relocated the palace popular idol to another strine in the town and resettled it there.

In a chat with Daily Trust, the traditional ruler said Iwo is the home of Islamic scholars and that he could be regarded as an Emir.

IThe monarch said his decision to adopt Emir regalia was to show the whole world that Iwo is an Islamic ancient town and that the turban is part of his paraphernalia of office.

“When I was made the Oluwo of Iwo, I was turbaned. It is because Iwo is an Islamic ancient town. Iwo was known as ‘geri malami, meaning: the home of the scholars. So, this regalia is appropriate for me as the Oluwo.

On the reason he banished the idols and relocated the palace popular idol, Oluwo said the palace was meant for the monarch alone and that the idol cannot be sharing space with him in the palace.

“As the monarch, I’m superior to the idols and it cannot be competing with me in the palace. I have taken that idol my palace to where it belong. Those who may want to worship the idols can meet  them there, not in my palace. As you can see, there is a mosque in the palace and we can worship the God Almighty there”.

Meanwhile, the monarch has been the talk of town as his decision has been the major discussion across the state.

However, majority of the indigenes if Iwo applauded the Oluwo for his action and pledged their full supports for him. (Daily Trust)