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COMMENTARY-In the early hour of Friday morning last week, I embarked on a journey from the city of excellence (Lagos) to the Palace of Ooni of Ife in Osun State, courtesy of my highly respected elder statesman, Senator Anthony Adefuye. The Senator had listed the foremost and highly revered king as one of those I should interview on his book am writing.
And so, as I journey to the ancient city, my eyes were fixed on the roads- considerably death traps that must have taken lives of innocent passengers either on business trips or otherwise. That road, Ife-Ibadan expressway- like as it is in other Nigerian roads across board.
As usual, the potholes that can send someone to his or her early grave, especially if the driver makes any slight mistake. Sadly, I witnessed a fatal accident along Ikire-Ife road where a vehicle somersaulted but to the glory of God, no live was lost.
It is true that Nigerian roads are death sentence and many struggling Nigerian citizens have died due to the diagonal failures of the Nigerian state, to fix the roads. Citizens on their own are helpless and docile, because those who should speak truth to power are now part of the cults, drinking coffee, crossing their legs and eating from the segregated national cake.
Anyway, back to the Ooni of Ife. As at around 1pm, we arrived the gate of the palace with all the media gadgets. Few minutes later, we were ushered into the serene environment while I fixed my eyes at the magnificent structures, looking dazzling. At that moment, I remember the transfiguration story of Jesus where Peter, James and John were amazed on what they saw, but Peter was more inquisitive as he says: ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here: If thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Matthew 17:4). But I know, it would be impracticable and impossible to follow Saint Peter’s way, unless it is by divine providence to do so.
One thing I know as a bubbling journalist and young historian is this, to utilize rare opportunity which I did very well, by feeding my eyes with relevant information coupled with other glamours.
Anyway, few minutes later, one of the Ooni’s aides came, and took us straight to the citadel of the throne where the Ooni, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Enitan, Jaja 11, the 51st Ooni of the dynasty sits and presides over the throne of his ancestors and the good people of Ife. It was there my eyes were filled with some of the ancient artefacts of the great Kingdom, believed to have been founded in the year 500. B.C- One of the oldest Yoruba cities. It was also there that all the great ancestors-Past Ooni’s images were pinned to the dazzling wall for history’s purpose, starting from the first Ooni to the last:
1 Oduduwa 1st Ooni of The 3rd Dynasty
2 Osangangan Obamakin
3 Ogun
4 Obalufon (Ogbogbodirin)
5 Obalufon (Alayemore)
6 Oramiyan
7 Ayetise
8 Lajamisan
9 Lajodoogun
10 Lafogido
11 Odidimode Rogbeesin
12 Aworokolokun
13 Ekun
14 Ajimuda
15 Gbonijio
16 Okanlajosin
17 Adebalu
18 Osinkola
19 Ogborun
20 Giesi
21 Luwoo (Female)
22 Lumobi
23 Agbedegbede
24 Ojelokunbirn
25 Lagunla
26 Larunka
27 Ademilu
28 Omogbogbo
29 Ajila-Oorun
30 Jadejinle
31 Olojo
32 Okiti
33 Lugbade
34 Aribiwoso
35 Osinlade
36 Adagba
37 Ojigidiri
38 Akinmoyeru
39 Gbanlare
40 Gbegbaaje
41 Wunmonije
42 Adegunle Adewela
43 Degbinsokun
44 Orarigba
45 Derin Ologbenla
46 Adelekan (Olubuse 1)
47 Adekola
48 Ademiluyi (Ajagun)
49 Adesoji Aderemi
50 Okunade Sijuwade
51 Adeyeye Ogunwusi (51st Ooni of The 3rd Dynasty)
When the Ooni finally came out with his glittering attires as usual, we all paid homage with greetings, as he shows great humor, eloquence and hospitality. It was on this instance that we (media) engaged the Yoruba foremost King on the business of the day. It was during the interview he also eulogized Senator Adefuye, describing him as a national patriot and a pride of the Yoruba race.
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