Rotimi Agboluaje, Ibadan
In a reaction to the video that gone viral on social media, where the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akinolu reportedly snubbed the Ooni of Ile-Ife Oba Ogunwusi Enitan Ojaja II, at a public function, the apex Yoruba youth body, Yoruba Youth Socio-cultural Association (YYSA), Osun State chapter has described it as an affront on the Yoruba race.
This was contained in a statement made by the acting coordinator of the group, Mr. Adeboye Oluwabusoye.
According to the group “such affront by the Oba of Lagos is ridiculous. In the first instance, we (the Yoruba people) believe in our cultural heritage and history. The Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo had been known to be the foremost Obas in Yoruba land and all other Obas are aware of the fact.
“Besides that, some of the Obas titles like the Alaafin of Oyo, Ooni of Ile Ife, Erediuwa of Benin Kingdom including many others had been in existence ever before the chieftain title of Eleko changed from Baale to Oba in 1630. The first Oba of Lagos to be crowned as Oba was Ado, the son of prince Ashipa of the Benin Kingdom.
“If someone like Oba Ridwan Akinolu, the Oba of Lagos, can behave scornfully to the Ooni of Ife, where are we going in Yoruba land? Do we still believe in our culture? This should not continue if we truly we want unity in Yoruba land. We are now enjoining our royal fathers and elders to shun any form of royal supremacy, envy or jealousy in order to ensure unity in Yoruba land”.
