Olubadan harps on constitutional role for monarchs as Yoruba Obas meet in Ibadan

Ahead of the Yoruba Obas Forum conference holding on Monday, in Ibadan, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, has called on the forum to make strong demand for constitutional role for the traditional rulers in the country at the conference.

The monarch made the call at the ancient Aliiwo palace while playing host alongside his Balogun, Osi Olubadan, Ashipa Balogun, Ekerin Olubadan and Ekerin Balogun namely Obas Owolabi Olakulehin, Eddy Oyewole, Kolawole Adegbola, Hamidu Ajibade and Dada Isioye respectively, to the delegates of the forum consisting of its executive and other notable members who paid him a courtesy visit.

The Olubadan while speaking through his brother and Baba Kekere Olubadan, Senator Kola Balogun, recalled that as the closest institution to the people at the grassroots, members of the traditional institution are playing very significant roles bothering on security, economy and the general welfare of the people.

Oba Balogun commended the forum said to have been in existence since 2019 and charged it to avoid the pitfalls of a similar forum formed in 1944 but which had for a long time gone into extinction.

He equally stressed the need for the forum to deliberate on the pull him down syndrome that is fastly becoming the pastime of the Yoruba people, especially among the younger generation which believes not in the established Yoruba norm of respect for elders and those in authority, adding, “this forum has a huge task and I pray that God and our ancestors will see you through”.

The President of the Forum and Molokun of Atijere, Oba Samuel Adeoye, in his remarks, said the forum came into existence to foster unity among the Obas in Yorubaland and pursue the goals of living peacefully and that since its formation in 2019, it has been performing the expected roles.

He recalled that the forum had been used to settle dispute among brother Obas and also played significant roles in addressing the menace of herdsmen, stating that, “we were in the forefronts of the struggle to free our people from the intruders subjecting our people to harrowing and we are grateful to our governors for their support in that regard”.

Oba Adeoye added that the forum also noted that there’s a serious threat to the culture, tradition and language of the Yoruba which all should be concerned about, saying that the forum “has also taken cognizance of the effect of the downward trend with the aim of addressing it”.

Other traditional rulers with the President on the visit include the Olukotun of Ikotun-Ile, Oba AbdulRazak Adebayo (Secretary General); Alayandelu of Odo-Ayandelu, Oba Asunmo Ganiyu Aderibigbe (PRO);  Elerinmo of Erinmo (Admin), Oba Micheal Ajayi (Admin); Aare Alawo Ekun of Ago-Aare, Oba Abodunrin Kofoworola.

Others are Aare Alawo-Ekun of Ofiki, Oba Adeoye Gbenga Tunji; Olujumu of Ijumu Kingdom, Oba Williams Olusegun Ayeni; Ologijo of Ogijo, Oba Kazeem Gbadamoshi; Olasole  of Lasoleland, Oba Jacob Dairo, and Onileki of Lekkiland, Oba Olumuyiwa Ogunbekun.