Pegasus Reporters Issues on the Wing
“When a man has seen it all with royalty and has been in a position to put some money in their pockets while they lick his hands, there is no way he will have any respect for any throne. Forget all the acts of him prostrating once in a while in some palaces. It is all home video.”
PEGASUS REPORTERS, LAGOS | OCTOBER 3, 2023
I believe my time consulting and working with a revered throne gives me a little latitude to speak on the above matter. And I think, severally, I tried to bring the thoughts out with the King at the time. But, we now need to face the fact, that the same way we have suffered, and continue to suffer with our political leaders is the same way we are continuing with our custodians of culture who are supposed to show direction.
It is a pity that Wasiu Ayinde who has just been given an ‘honorary title’ by the revered Awujale has suddenly turned this into a coronation event with his 7days Ipebi where Obas came to pay him homage. Even he personally got lost when he came all out to grab the microphone at his celebration, his head open to belt out some tunes in honour of his mentors. At least he saved us the embarrassment of wearing a crown. The facts actually are:
(1) In Ijebu Ode a king goes into seclusion at Ipebi, that the Ijebu call “Odo,” outside of the town.
(2) But a chief or Otunba hibernated in his house or his family house, depending on the nature of his title. That is what KWAM I has done. Though it is acceptable, it is not prescribed. It is voluntary and the king has nothing to do with it. It is between the chief or Otunba and the priests who perform the rites.
(3) There is no doubt that KWAM I escalated his own rites because he is a showbiz man and he has the financial means.
(4) I do not know why the king chose KWAM I for the honorific title. But all I can say is that it is the prerogative of the king to create and confer certain groups of titles on whomsoever he wants. No one can query him.
When Chief Olusegun Obasanjo insulted some Obas recently, we were all so angry with him. I am not holding forth for Baba here. He actually deserved it but he is the perfect example of what I am about to say. When a man has seen it all with royalty and has been in a position to put some money in their pockets while they lick his hands, there is no way he will have any respect for any throne. Forget all the acts of him prostrating once in a while in some palaces. It is all home video.
In 1998 when we were preparing for this political dispensation, General Abubakar invited us all especially the well-educated, knowledgeable, and forthright but we all stayed away. The positions had to be filled so they went for drug barons, cult leaders criminals, and the lowly educated. We are where we are today. It will be hard for any sane really determined person who wants to make the right changes to get into power. You must belong to a group or cult and be sponsored heavily so you can begin to serve your group. It is the same with the Kingship now. The same people now in government promote 4th class obas known simply as Baales to first class position because they belong to that group or cult. Nowadays, you see revered kings bombing fists with ordinary Baales because they hold positions of authority in the group. Our first-class kings now attend naming ceremonies, birthdays, and marriage ceremonies and share the finest wines on the same table with them chewing fat meats in the open glare.
What Wasiu Ayinde has done speaks totally of the bastardization. He even had it recorded and shared on his social media handles. Madness! He is lucky Baba Awujale is aged now and resting. He would have called him to order as he did Subomi Balogun. The man whose title he just received. We can’t blame Baba Awujale. He has warned us enough over 60 years for these likes but some of us have pushed Wasiu Ayinde as the best for the Olori Omo Oba. Of course, Wasiu is a masterclass with lyrics but his involvement with the culture the way he is going is a pure bastardization of what he has held dear all his musical life. But you can’t change him. He is who he is. This is a man who enters all palaces with a pistol in his pocket.
Do we need the Kingship structure? Yes! But not the way it is presently being served. Very few of our Kings today have their heads screwed the right way. They have a duty to serve their people and make the right decisions to keep our cultures the right way.. No one is talking to our actors to stop the useless rituals they do in their movies selling the negative parts of our rich culture. No one is calling the herbalists aiding young Yahoo+ youths seeking the get-rich-quick solutions. The older generation is doing more harm than good to lead youths positively. The youths are now moving into royalty and forget what happened 400 years ago. The coming SLAVERY will not have part 2.
I think our royalties need an instant brain reset. And I mean it in the most respectable way. I am a Prince myself, but I am presently not proud of what is going on. If we do not correct all this now, I can assure you, if we are not careful, the next 10 years, kingship positions will disappear. Then who will lead our cultural revival? This is a time for us all to sit down and do the right thing. Is the opportunity lost? Hmmmmmm!
It is time for SPIRITUAL CLEANSING!
Adewale A. Williams, a public relations practitioner, business executive and culture analyst writes from Lagos
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This your write-up is appreciated. It’s well thought of, especially as you eventually traced down the root of the problem to the era of slavery and the diabolical roles played by our Yoruba Obas. If the concept of retribution, karma is anything to go by, one can quickly conclude with you that institutions of Obaship will fade out sooner or later in Yoruba land, even in the world. You can imagine the negative impacts they are having on our ancient traditions the onslaught of the protagonists of the democracy as ‘best’ alternative to all we’ve been known as mode of leadership and governance. Anyway, the world is ever rotating. “Aye nyi!”
Thanks for looking in our dear Imam Busairi, JP