We Need to Include Young Adults in All Aspects of Decision Making

Oba Lamidi Adeyemi

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi lll is adored beyond the Yoruba race. He exudes opulence, and royalty. This royal father commands influence and affluence amongst his subjects. The Alaafin is always looking magnificent and radiates warmth. He has been on the throne for over five decades. Oba Adeyemi has combined the wisdom of age with the vibrancy of youth to preside over his people. Articulate, sound-minded, and fearless, Alafin is a man full of history. He knows the history of Oyo like the back of his hand and recalls with ease and amazing accuracy past occurrences in the empire. Oba Adeyemi is a selfless statesman and highly detribalised traditional ruler who has made invaluable contributions to nation-building. Today, he will bestow two chieftaincy titles on two accomplished sons of the soil who have distinguished themselves in all human endeavours. Oba Adeyemi gives Olaoluwakitan Babatunde an insight into the origin of Oyo Empire, the preservation of culture and heritage, and why he is honouring Dr. Babajide Agunbiade and Hon. Shina Peller with chieftaincy titles

The rich history of the Oyo Empire

Firstly, the Oyo Empire has a rich culture and it’s a very good thing that a lot of people are interested in this history. The Oyo Empire was a Yoruba Empire of what is today eastern Benin and western Nigeria including Southwest zone and the western half of North central zone. My Empire grew to become the largest Yoruba state. It rose through the outstanding organisational and administrative skills of the Yoruba people, wealth gained from trade and our powerful cavalry. The Oyo Empire was the most politically important state in the entirety Western Africa from the mid-7th to the late 18th century, holding sway not only over most of the other kingdoms in Yorubaland, but also over nearby African states, notably the Fon Kingdom of Dahomey in the modern Republic of Benin to the west. Its territory encompasses a real mix of environments with portions of rainforest, dry forest, savannah, and mangrove swamp. We benefitted most from the savannah regions, which facilitated easy movement and trade contacts with neighboring states. As with the nations which prospered throughout the second millennium in the region, the Oyo Empire exploited local resources such as okra, yams, dates, palm oil, and fish. Iron-smelting technology permitted the production of iron tools and weapons while traded goods included kola nuts, pepper, ivory, gold and slaves. The Oyo Empire, with its capital at old Oyo, prospered to what it is today and our people have played major preservative roles as they are key custodians of our cultural heritage.

Oyo’s influence in nurturing the Yoruba identity and consciousness

Yoruba culture consists of cultural philosophy, religion and folktales. We have rich and diverse culture ranging from our religion, festivals, food, music, art, among others. There are so many aspects to our culture. For instance, respect is an important aspect of Yoruba tradition. It is a symbol of peace and orderliness. In Yoruba culture, the younger person is expected to greet the older one. Music is an important and cherished part of Yoruba culture. The Yoruba people are known for our drumming tradition, especially using the dundun. We have several historical festivals organised by the Yoruba race worldwide. The Child naming culture is also very significant for us. Yoruba names always have meaning and significance and names are given to children according to the circumstances surrounding their birth. We have our food that is part of our culture and it is peculiar only to the Yorubas, our arts, sculpture. I can go on and on. The role and depth of Oyo’s influence in nurturing a Yoruba identity and consciousness among the Yorubas has continued to resonate across generations and boundaries. In all of this, the most important aspect of our culture that we cannot afford to lose is the element of the Oyo culture. These are embodied as; symbols, language, naming, food, norms, values, and artifacts. It is also the basis for a global understanding of our people, beliefs and tradition.

Why I emphasised youth’s empowerment during my 50th coronation anniversary

During my 50th coronation anniversary as Alaafin of Oyo, one of the key things emphasised was youth empowerment. We need to include young adults in all aspects of decision-making process, honour their voice and understand and implement their honest opinion and ideas, especially those ideas that foster national unity and bring development. We must be willing to share power and privileges to make our country great for both adults and youths. If you noticed, most of the chieftaincy conferment, I made recently, were for high achieving young men, most of them under 50 years.

How to teach and induct the next generation into the Yoruba traditions and culture

We are dealing with a smart and technological-oriented generation. Hence, teaching and inducting this generation involves improving communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. We can start by exposing them to authentic materials. I have learnt of ‘Live Native Speakers’; lets introduce them to Live Native Speakers, serve them our meals and introduce them to memory-friendly songs.

The state of our politics and role of traditional institutions

As you have said, traditional institutions play a key role in society and their politics. Rulers may play the role of mediating between the people and the state or enhancing national identity. We also serve to resolve minor conflicts and provide an institutional safety-valve for often inadequate state bureaucracies. The list is endless.

Conferment of chieftaincy titles on two prominent Yoruba sons

It takes a lot to be invited into Yoruba royalty and be considered for these Yoruba-wide titles. US-based Dr. Babajide Agunbiade and Hon. Shina Abiola Peller are the ones getting the chieftaincy titles. They are indigenes with impeccable characters. I took the decision to confer historical titles on these two prominent Oyo and proud Yoruba sons of mine because of their contribution to society and outstanding representation in their various industries and fields of endeavours. Agunbiade is one of the most cerebral oil and gas experts and, most especially, representing Nigeria gallantly in global oil and gas, rising to the leadership in global oil and gas. I am proud to be associated with such intellect. He’s a passionate competent dependable well vast guy that goes the extra mile to make sure people around him achieve their full potential. He is a very astute gentleman fair and balanced family man and ultimate professional. Nigeria will be in a better place if we all do like me and identify such rare gems and allow them to lead us.

As with Shina Peller, what can I say? His father and I come a very long way and I have known him all of his life. His relentless passion to help others, strive for peace and harmony, rare business acumen and intellect made me to be one of the people to advise him to go into politics. Look at all the work he has done and how he is representing the people of Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency in Oyo state. It is unbelievable the work he has done in the last two years to foster development, peace, harmony and prosperity. Look at what he is doing across the country for the Lead Generation Initiative, sensitising youths for political involvement and fostering peace at a difficult time at Oke-Ogun. Definitely, he is one of the best honourable members we have in the country today.

The uniqueness of the titles

These are highly coveted titles. The title I am conferring on Agunbiade is Atobaase of Yorubaland which means “the one who is competent enough to be a king”. Please, do not confuse this title with the Atobase title which means “the one who improves or beautifies the king”. The Ayedero of Yorubaland that I conferred on Peller is the Ayedero of Yorubaland, literarily means “the one who brings peace and prosperity to the world.” Peller is ordained to elevate his people and bring peace and prosperity to the world.

Please note that this conferment represents me and all Yorubas and the recepients must be addressed as High Chiefs or His Majesties. Not royal majesty, but His Majesty. Against the backdrop, and in accordance with our culture, I consulted the Oyomesi, the traditional cabinet of the Alaafin, who are the kingmakers and they rigorously ascertained the character, business acumen, philanthropy, and public dispositions of both Agunbiade as Atobaase and Peller, as Ayedero of Yorubaland and we found them worthy as thoroughbred Yoruba men who are culturally inclined and traditionally oriented personalities that can wear the toga of Yoruba royalty and to be promoters of the institution of Chieftaincy. No one needs a second look to realise what great achievers they are. Peller is the son of Alhaja Silifat and the late Professor Moshood Abiola Peller.

He is from Iseyin, Oyo State and he is an entrepreneur, politician, industrialist, and member of the 9th National Assembly. Peller is the chairman and chief executive officer of Aquila Group of Companies and Club Quilox. He is an exceptional philanthropist who is selfless in many ways. Agunbiade an Oyo man from Fiditi in Oyo State is a foremost Sub-sea Engineer and has nearly 25 years’ experience in oil and gas offshore industry. Neither of them solicited for these titles. They were given to them due to their exceptional attributes and the need to promote brilliant young men. The dual have been selected as custodians of our cultures, beliefs and tradition and are expected to keep their good works going, as well as represent their fatherland in the spaces of endeavours.

Privileges of the title holders

I cannot disclose all of it for cultural and traditional reasons. However, they cannot bow or prostrate before anyone as Yorubaland High Chiefs, including any Oba. At their discretion, they may bow or prostrate to some very old and revered Obas. When you see them, they are Yoruba royalties that represent me and all Yorubas and you have to address them as such. I have said they must carry themselves with respect and dignity, represent Yorubaland very well and continue to contribute to development of Yorubaland.