HRM Oba (Prof.) Adekunle Adeogun Okunoye, Adedeji 11, the Eburu of Iba in Osun State, has questioned whether some traditional rulers are devaluing the crown through actions he believes undermine the dignity and sanctity of the traditional institution. In an exclusive interview with Gbenro Adesina, the monarch speaks on the importance of preserving royal traditions and the responsibilities of traditional rulers. He also reflects on his personal journey from a family of teachers, his early passion for education and his career in computer science, which took him from the classroom to higher academic pursuits and eventually to the throne. Okunoye recounts how his upbringing shaped his values, the decisions that influenced his educational and professional journey, and the experiences that have informed his views on leadership, tradition and community development. Excerpt:
Q: Kabiyesi, before you became a king, you were a son, a young man with ambitions and someone trying to make his way in life. Who was Adekunle Adeogun Okunoye before the crown, and what was your childhood like?
A: Adekunle Adeogun Okunoye, before ascending the throne, was an ordinary young boy with great ambitions and a strong passion for education. I came from a family of teachers. My late mother was a primary school teacher, while my father is a secondary school teacher who also owns a private school. My father places a high premium on excellence, so there was healthy competition among my siblings, cousins, and other members of the family. The question was never whether you would proceed to a higher institution, but rather what course you would study at the university. Being born into a family of teachers, I started school very early. I often joke that I was almost born in the classroom. By the time I was 10 years old, I was already in secondary school.
Q: Which schools did you attend?
A:I attended two primary schools. I started at All Saints Primary School, Aperin, Ibadan, and completed it at CAC, Inalende-Oniyanrin, Ibadan. I left primary school in Primary Five, andI proceeded to Akinorun Grammar School, Ikirun, Osun State. I lived with my aunt, Alhaja Olarinde, and her husband. They had a great influence on my life. They raised us very well and instilled the values of Omoluabi in us. I left school at the age of 15.I did not pass all my subjects at O’Level in one sitting. My Physics result was withheld. I had to wait for another year, partly because of financial constraints. I eventually completed my secondary school education alongside my immediate elder sister. Although her results were not as good as mine, I had performed very well.At 16, I gained admission into the College of Education to study Mathematics and Chemistry. That was a wonderful decision. I knew several people who were more brilliant than I who opted for A-Levels. Some of them eventually had to sit for JAMB because they did not obtain the required grades for university admission. I reasoned that if these brilliant students could not secure the required points for university admission through A-Levels, I might not be able to do so either.Rather than spend two years on A-Levels only to return to write JAMB, I decided it would be better to spend three years at the College of Education and obtain a certificate. That was exactly what I did, and it turned out to be a wonderful period of my life.I enjoyed the freedom that came with college life. I joined the Kegite Club, participated in social activities, and still devoted considerable time to my studies. I graduated from the College of Education at 19, with a distinction in Mathematics and a credit in Chemistry.After graduation, I taught Mathematics and Chemistry at Akinorun Grammar School for one year. However, I had never planned to become a teacher. I subsequently used my NCE certificate to secure admission into the University of Ibadan (UI), where I studied Computer Science.My father wanted me to study Medicine, while I wanted to study Engineering. So, when UI offered me admission to study Computer Science, my reaction was, ‘What?’ I had never heard of a computer before, let alone seen one.At UI, we initially worked with mainframe computers. Before we completed our first year, we had started using microcomputers. I had absolutely no idea what a computer was when I gained admission. That is one advantage children today have over our generation.My first year at UI was excellent. I studied very hard and performed well. However, after the first year, I began to relax and spend more time playing. That was when my grades started declining. Although I eventually graduated with a Second-Class Upper Division, I believe that if I had maintained the same level of commitment I demonstrated in my first year, I would have graduated with a First Class.After graduation, some of us began making plans for postgraduate studies. However, we felt we should first learn Arabic and French. My intention was to pursue a postgraduate diploma and subsequently a master’s degree in Petroleum Engineering. We believed that knowledge of Arabic and French would give us opportunities to work anywhere in the world.We had our eyes on companies such as Aramco in Saudi Arabia and ELF Petroleum in France. Some of our colleagues followed that path, and they have become very successful today.Interestingly, we were making these plans without the involvement of our parents. We had no mentors guiding us either. During the day, we would spend time having fun at the Students’ Union Government (SUG) building, while in the evenings, we gathered in our respective study rooms to read.Unfortunately, I could not follow that path because of family responsibilities. Although I secured admission for a postgraduate diploma in Engineering, I felt I needed to support my mother and take care of my younger siblings.My industrial training experience during my third year at the university was particularly challenging but immensely rewarding. I worked with a friend of my uncle, and the job required me to relocate to Lagos.There were days when I did not even have enough money for transportation from Okota to Victoria Island. Yet, I enjoyed the job and was eager to learn; I always found a way to get to work. Sometimes, I had no transport fare and would board a “Molue” bus, claiming to be a staff member whenever the conductor came around. Some conductors would protest, grumble, and insist that there were already enough staff members on the bus and that I had to pay. Somehow, we would eventually sort things out.I woke up early every morning and went to work. I genuinely enjoyed the experience and learnt a great deal. What I acquired during that period had a tremendous influence on my academic development.At the time, we were using FoxBase, a database management system, running on a Unix system. The company developed software for the Federal Urban Mass Transport programme. Through that experience, I gained practical database management knowledge that we hadn’t covered in our university classes.When I returned to campus for my final year, I put that knowledge to good use. I proposed an innovative project titled Educational Management System, which was designed to link schools with the Ministry of Education.The practical knowledge I acquired during my industrial training enabled me to develop an excellent final-year project. In fact, I always say that if I hadn’t earned an A in my final-year project, I wouldn’t have graduated with a Second-Class Upper Division.
Q: Were you able to make something out of that project?
A: That project laid the foundation for my entire career. It earned me an opportunity to work in the department, as my supervisors subsequently assigned a project to me to manage. One of my supervisors had asked three of us to return to the department, but I had other commitments, including the need to go out and work. During that period, I teamed up with one of the most brilliant people I have ever met. He was a year ahead of me academically, graduated in 1991, and made a First Class. We shared an ambition of becoming the next Bill Gates because we were both passionate about programming. He was exceptionally gifted. In fact, he developed an operating system as his final-year project. We both felt that rather than go into the industry to manage systems designed by other people, we wanted to develop software ourselves. With that ambition, we came together to establish a software company. However, after a few months, we realised that the venture might be a recipe for hunger. We came to the conclusion that Nigeria was not yet ripe for the kind of software development business we had envisioned. We eventually decided to look for jobs. I started working with a consulting firm in Lagos. Interestingly, the man I had worked with during my industrial training had promised me that if I graduated with a Second-Class Upper Division, I should return to him and he would give me a job. I fulfilled my part by obtaining the required degree classification, and he also kept his promise by offering me a job.
Q: Where did you serve?
A: I served in Taraba State, where I became friends with Alhaji Abbas Tafida, the Emir of Muri. At the time, I never imagined I would have any reason to return to that part of the country after leaving. The Yola-Taraba axis is extremely hot, and I found the weather quite challenging.However, after spending several years in the United States, I voluntarily returned to Yola, where I spent a semester at the institution now known as the American University of Nigeria (AUN), formerly ATB. That experience gave me a much greater appreciation of the place.I had planned to visit Jalingo, but an unfortunate incident prevented me from doing so. I was travelling with my children when we had an accident, and that brought the trip to an end before I could get to Jalingo.A few years later, I returned to Taraba, this time to Wukari, as a visiting professor. I have developed a great affection for that part of the country.
Q: Tell me about a lady you met there that you wouldn’t forget?
A: I’m not going to tell you. Ever!
Q: But if you are to describe Yola’s ladies, how would you describe them?
A: That Benue-Taraba axis has very beautiful and friendly ladies.
Q: You couldn’t close your eyes when they were passing?
A: Yes, back then. But now, I look straight ahead.
Q: Did you plan to study Computer Science?
A: Not at all. In my first and only JAMB examination, I chose Chemical Engineering as my first choice and Chemistry as my second choice. I was actually offered admission to study Chemistry, but my O-Level results were not good enough, so the admission did not materialise.
Q: Did you regret studying Computer Science?
A: No, I didn’t. I’ve learnt to appreciate God because He guides our steps. Remember I mentioned that I attended a College of Education. In those days, some of the boys used to say, ‘Kunle is not really brilliant. He only knows Mathematics. That is why he couldn’t get into the university.’ But guess what? When I eventually gained admission for my master’s degree in Europe, I discovered how useful that NCE qualification would become. In the European academic system, they have what is known as a minor and a major. I submitted my NCE transcript, which they assessed and accepted as qualifying me for a minor. They told me I didn’t need to look for another minor because my existing qualification had already fulfilled that requirement. We may not always understand why certain things happen in our lives, but God has a way of ordering our steps. I eventually completed my PhD and developed a strong research interest. I also discovered that I genuinely enjoyed academic life. Initially, I wanted to return to Nigeria, but I was concerned that I might not enjoy working in the particular institution I had in mind. I therefore began applying for academic positions in Europe. One thing I discovered was that you do not necessarily have to possess a formal teaching qualification to teach at a university. However, my educational qualification gave me an advantage over other candidates. During one of the interviews, after we had made our presentations and discussed our qualifications, I mentioned that I was also a qualified teacher. Among all the candidates interviewed, I was the only one with a formal qualification in education. That NCE certificate, which some people had once looked down on, eventually became useful and gave me a competitive advantage. I was offered three positions, so I had the opportunity to choose. Computer Science is a universal discipline, and having a degree in it opens doors to opportunities across different parts of the world.
Q: Can you advise young people on the subjects they should take seriously if they want to study Computer Science? Also, do you subscribe to the argument that Computer Science is no longer a top-notch university course because it can now be learnt in non-university institutions?
A: Computer Science remains a highly relevant discipline. Almost everything we do today involves computers. If you walk into engineering companies, for instance, you will hardly find anyone using a T-square. Many professionals in those companies are highly proficient in computer applications, sometimes even more proficient than people who hold degrees in Computer Science. That is the technology they rely on in their work. The same applies to Medicine and virtually every other field. Computers have become indispensable across professions. Now, with the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), it is important to understand that we have been studying these concepts for decades. We offered Artificial Intelligence as a course at the UI in the 1990/91 academic session. In those days, however, computer systems had limitations in terms of storage capacity and processing power. Once those limitations were addressed, particularly the challenges relating to storage and processing capacity, the possibilities expanded considerably. The underlying theories had always existed; what we lacked were the technological capabilities to fully implement them. Today, we have data everywhere, and we are increasingly using computers to analyse that data and make sense of it. However, computers cannot create knowledge from nothing. We still need subject-matter experts who understand their respective fields and can guide computers on what to do.
Q: Are you saying that a computer cannot replace human beings?
A: It is not possible. Computers make us more efficient. They bring together information and contributions from different people and process everything much faster than human beings can. There is virtually no area of human endeavour where computers have not been applied, and their applications continue to expand. However, they remain tools for improving human efficiency. For young people who wish to study Computer Science at the university, you need to have a good foundation in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
Q: Coming from a family of teachers, with both your parents being teachers, how did that influence you, and what kind of relationship did you have with your mother?
A: In a typical African home, mothers do almost everything when it comes to raising the children. My father was a strict disciplinarian. He was tough and constantly pushed us towards excellence, while my mother was the one who pampered us. I was extraordinarily pampered by my mother. She genuinely cared for us and showed us so much love. My siblings and I also played a lot of pranks while growing up. I remember that sometimes I would return home from school when my mother was not around. I would then visit our neighbours and collect money from them, knowing that my mother would have to repay them when she returned. I would take the money to the Kegite shrine to spend with my friends. Sometimes, while we were with our colleagues, I would tell them to wait for me, run home to collect money, and return so we could enjoy ourselves. That was the kind of childhood we had. We were brought up in an atmosphere of love.
Q: How would you describe your mother?
A: My mother was extraordinary. She never fought with anybody, as far as I can remember, and she never encouraged us to tell lies. She was friendly with everyone and was a woman of strong faith. Her life revolved around the church. She was a very active member of the Scripture Union and was always lively. However, she could be very strict when we crossed the line. If you misbehaved beyond what she could tolerate, she would give you the beating of your life. I loved and respected her deeply. I always wanted to make her proud. Whenever I returned home, I wanted to make her happy and share good news with her. That desire also helped me stay out of trouble. The respect I had for my mother influenced me greatly. For instance, we were not allowed to stay out late. Once it became dark, we were expected to be at home. Even after I left home for college, I found it difficult to adjust. Whenever evening approached and it was getting dark, I would become restless and feel the urge to return home.
Q: How would you describe your father?
A: My father has very high self-esteem. Later in life, he also became very religious.
Q: Are you still a “carriable” soul?
A:Yes.
Q: Can you share some of the difficult moments you have experienced in life?
A: To the glory of God, I would say life has been relatively easy for me. I got work when I wanted it. When I decided to do my postgraduate studies abroad, I was able to achieve it.After leaving a consulting firm in Lagos, I worked with the defunct Credit Bank before moving to Gambia. In The Gambia, I designed a banking software package for an Islamic bank, and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience there.When the time came, I moved to Europe for postgraduate studies, where I obtained both my master’s degree and PhD.Several people influenced my journey, beginning with my parents and including the Emir of Muri. I remember approaching him to help me secure employment at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He was initially willing to assist but later reconsidered and explained his reasons.He told me that career progression at the CBN could be quite slow. According to him, even highly competent and intelligent officers could spend a minimum of three years at a particular level. He explained that there were 21 levels between the entry point and the position of CBN Governor, making it a long journey to the top. He also pointed out that bringing in someone from outside the institution could affect one’s career prospects.He advised that if he helped me secure a position in one of the new-generation banks instead, I could progress more quickly. I could rise from assistant manager to manager and eventually have the opportunity to become a managing director, with even greater responsibilities.At a time, I already had a very good job in The Gambia. I worked as a data manager with a medical research agency, earned my salary in pounds sterling, and enjoyed other benefits, including a brand-new house. I was doing all this with just my first degree and about seven years of work experience.However, I encountered a challenge whenever new positions became available within the organisation. The minimum requirement was increasingly a master’s degree, which automatically disqualified me from applying.Interestingly, whenever people came from Europe to conduct training programmes, I was the one training them. Yet, they would return to Europe to earn their master’s degrees, while I remained without one. That experience motivated me to apply for postgraduate studies.If these are what you would call challenges, then I would say they were not insurmountable. I eventually made it to Europe, although the experience of living there was quite different. It was a cold and dark environment, but that experience also strengthened my resolve. I knew I had to do whatever was necessary to complete my studies and move forward with my life.
Q: So, you have had your own share of challenges?
A: Yes, I have. For instance, while I was a student in Europe, I travelled to conferences in the United States to present academic papers. The university would pay for my accommodation in a five-star hotel, but it would not provide money for food. You could be staying in a five-star hotel, but you dared not order a $40 meal. I would have to go to a nearby shop to buy sardines, bread, and water to feed myself. However, I never considered that a major problem because I knew it was only a matter of time. I understood that presenting papers at international conferences would create opportunities for me and could eventually help me secure academic employment. There is a Yoruba saying that captures this experience: Eni tí kò ṣe bí aláárù l’óyìnbó, kò lè ṣe bí Adégbọ̀rọ̀ lọjà ọba.
Q: How did you receive the news that you had been selected to become king?
A: People often say that they were selected to become kings; they never wanted the throne. That is not my story. I wanted to become a king.
Q: Did you know that one day you would become a king?
A: Interestingly, yes.
Q: So, you had planned for it?
A: No, you cannot plan for it. Most princes aspire to become kings, but there is no formula for achieving it. The opportunity is open to all eligible members of the royal family. Ultimately, it is a matter of providence. I wanted to become king, but I did not have to contest for the throne. It was a consensus within the family, and I gladly accepted the decision. My father is still alive. If he had wanted the throne, he could have been selected. However, the family decided to shift the opportunity to my generation, and I was chosen.
Q: So, when you were announced as the next king, were you happy?
A: Yes, I was very happy because I had been waiting for about five years.
Q: What attracted you to the institution of kingship?
A: The agbada! Beyond that, I have a deep passion for my town, and I believe I have a responsibility to serve it.After acquiring several academic qualifications, building a career, and eventually travelling to America, I ventured into politics. Interestingly, I did not even know there was money to be made in politics. I went into it because I was genuinely determined to make a difference and bring about positive change.I wanted Nigeria to develop to the level of Europe and other countries in the Western world. My interest has always been in making things better for society.If I wanted to serve in the House of Representatives and someone told me to go and serve in the House of Assembly instead, what difference would it make? The important thing is the opportunity to serve.
Q: Did you lose the election?
A: Yes, I lost the House of Representatives primary election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Today, however, we are fathers to everyone. I am no longer involved in partisan politics. My service to my people did not end with politics; it simply found another path through the community and the traditional institution. That is why I do not understand why some people express surprise that I left the United States to settle in Iba. I am comfortable here, and I am happy to serve my people from Iba. Of course, becoming king came with its own challenges. In fact, many of the real challenges of life came with the throne. There are always obstacles that stand in the way of the goals you want to achieve.
Q: What are the major challenges that confront the monarchs?
A: The greatest difficulty is the inability to achieve one’s goals, particularly when it comes to developing the community. Community development requires resources, and those resources are often beyond our reach.Almost everything is now dependent on government, but we do not have the resources to accomplish all that we would like to do. I came to the throne with great ambitions for my community, but I soon realised that there was a limit to what I could achieve with the resources available to me.Another challenge is the gradual loss of the sense of communalism. We now have to rely on the goodwill and contributions of members of the community to support development initiatives. Ultimately, we depend heavily on the government. We constantly approach government officials to draw their attention to the condition of the community and the challenges facing our people.
Q: People see the crown, the palace, the ceremonies, and the respect that come with being a king. What is the most difficult part of kingship that ordinary people rarely see or understand?
A: Many indigenous people assume that traditional rulers control resources in the same way as political officeholders. As a result, they come to us with very high expectations. When electricity supply is poor, the monarch is held responsible. When the roads are bad, the monarch is blamed. If a hospital is not functioning properly, people conclude that the monarch does not know what he is doing. In fact, whenever anything is not working, the monarch is accused of not doing enough. Many people do not realise that behind the crown and the palace, monarchs are human beings with their own personal challenges. We have children and families to cater for, just like everyone else. Matters relating to tradition, culture, and succession also come with their own difficulties. Some people will oppose you from the very first day of your reign and continue to fight you even after your death. There is also a misconception about the traditional institution because people sometimes fail to distinguish between the role of a traditional ruler in the 21st century and the powers monarchs exercised in the precolonial era. In precolonial times, traditional rulers were the real Obas. They exercised considerable authority, and not every matter was controlled by the formal legal system. Today, we can mediate disputes. If any of the parties is dissatisfied with the outcome, they can still take the matter to court. Nevertheless, the fact that we continue to retain the traditional institution shows that it still has an important role to play in society. I strongly believe that the answers to many of the challenges confronting our nation still lie within this institution. If we examine those challenges one after another, we will discover that some of the solutions are already within our reach. We hope that one day, the government will recognise this. We are already here, and what we are saying is simple: use us, utilise us, and involve us in governance. Let me take security, for instance. If the government provides us with the necessary resources, we can help manage security within our respective territories.
A: Can you confront terrorists?
A: Yes. Let the government involve us. We are not interested in executing projects ourselves. Whatever the government intends to do for our communities, it should consult us and let us know. This will promote accountability. What I am advocating is that traditional rulers should be given clearly defined constitutional roles. The arrangement should be such that we, as traditional rulers, can communicate our communities’ needs and priorities to local government chairmen, rather than having them impose on us what they think our communities need.
Q: What are you now telling the government concerning the traditional system?
A: The government must find a way to involve us. It also needs to clearly define the roles that should be assigned to traditional rulers.Traditional rulers should come together, agree on the responsibilities they want to take on, and present their position to the government. We have the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary. The question is: should traditional rulers function as a court or as a legislative body? What roles have not yet been assigned to us?This is why I keep saying that the problem lies in how traditional rulers are accommodated within the existing system. Our people want us to play a role, but government officials do not always listen to us because the system does not provide for them to do so.For instance, local government chairmen should constitute their budget committees and ensure that traditional rulers in their respective local government areas are represented. The traditional rulers should be able to present the needs and priorities of their communities for consideration in the local government budget. The chairmen can then execute the projects.Even when the projects are being executed, there should be no need for local government officials to come from outside the communities to monitor everything, because we are already there and can help monitor their implementation.Baba Obasanjo once narrated a story about Aliko Dangote’s refinery project in one of the African countries. He explained that he personally supervised the project because he wanted Dangote to succeed. That, to me, is an example of the kind of supportive role we can play.We need to work together.
Q: How did you meet Olori?
A: We met socially at a gathering. I was visiting Nigeria with a group of friends, and we were hosting a social event. She attended the gathering, and that was where I met her. From there, one thing led to another.
Q: What attracted her to you?
A: I don’t know. I believe it was God who brought us together.Of course, I saw a beautiful lady, and we started talking. I am an extrovert, while she was quite reserved and a little shy. That was how our first meeting went. As I got to know her better, I gradually discovered more about her.
Q: Many Nigerians have heard of Ipebi but may not fully understand its significance. Can you take us through the experience and explain what Ipebi means within the traditions and culture of Iba?
A: Ipebi is similar to an orientation programme for someone taking up a new job. Every institution has a process through which new members are inducted into its system. That is essentially what Ipebi represents.Remember, yesterday you were an ordinary subject, but today you have become a king, without having attended any formal school of kingship. Although there is a form of preparation for anyone born into a royal family, perhaps through living with an uncle who is a king and observing some of the traditional practices, that experience is different from what happens when you actually ascend the throne.There are certain secrets and aspects of the institution that you cannot know until you become part of its inner circle. These are among the things that are revealed during Ipebi. However, the process varies from one community to another.In our community, there are certain traditional practices that are observed. For instance, nobody outside the inner circle knows exactly what takes place in the conclave. Those involved do not come out to disclose what happened; outsiders can only have an idea of what goes on.It is similar to what happens in some organisations when new members are taken on a retreat. There are things discussed and shared during such retreats that you cannot know unless you belong to the organisation.Ipebi is not a place where people engage in bizarre practices, such as eating with another person’s head. Rather, it is where you are taught how to be a king. You are instructed on the dos and don’ts of the institution, including moral and traditional responsibilities.For example, you are taught what your role should be during the Egungun festival, what is expected of you at that particular time, and the responsibilities you must fulfil during different traditional festivals.
Q: How do you react to the trending video in which a prominent Yoruba king removed his crown and cap while praying in public?
A: Ìṣẹ̀lú ni ìdàlù. What we have been taught and what we understand is that it is improper for a king to expose his head. In fact, from the moment you are selected as a king, you are instructed never to leave your head uncovered. Even if the practice has no particular meaning and is not associated with any taboo, once it has been established as a generally accepted tradition, why should anyone deliberately violate it? Why can’t we preserve the system as it is? This is an age-old tradition. Why should we seek to demystify the institution? Consider religious institutions. You will hardly see the Pope appearing in public without his cassock and full regalia. Cardinals wear their red caps. Are you saying that Imams cannot recite the Quran without wearing their turbans? Even the government has protocols, and you cannot simply disregard them without consequences. In the military, improper dressing can be sufficient grounds for dismissal or serious disciplinary action. You cannot simply say, “I can walk perfectly well in slippers, so why should I wear the proper uniform?” The question, therefore, is whether the crown still has its value, particularly when those who are supposed to be its custodians are themselves undermining it. If you wear military camouflage and it is discovered that you are not a member of the military, you will face the consequences. We have rules governing these things, but who enforces them? There is a Yoruba saying: Adé orí là fi ń mọ ọba; ìrùnkẹrẹ là fi ń mọ ìjọba.Today, we no longer use the crown to distinguish a king or maintain the dignity of the institution in the way we should. There is even a growing trend in which, in the name of promoting Yoruba culture, everybody is becoming an Oba of Atlanta, an Oba of Philadelphia, and an Oba of one place or another. If you look at some of the crowns they wear, they are bigger than the combined crowns of the Alaafin and the Ooni, which ought not to be the case. When we see a highly traditional and respected occupant of a throne reducing the value and essence of such a crown, what more can one say?
Q: How do you react to monarchs standing up when governors or the President arrive, especially when kings are regarded as fathers of all and authorities next to the gods?
A: We have to face reality. We are in a republic; we are no longer operating a monarchical system of government. Nobody becomes a king without the approval of the government. That is the law. If you go to church, there are designated times to stand up and sit down, a time to enter the church, and a time when nobody is allowed to enter. If you do not want to observe those rules, then do not go to church. The same applies to the mosque, where there are established traditions. If you are a traditional ruler and you go to the mosque, you pray behind the Imam. Personally, I feel uncomfortable when everybody stands up to herald the arrival of the Olólájúlọ—the governor or the President. But that is the position they occupy. People who are older than us prostrate before us in the palace because that is the tradition. It has its purpose and meaning. In the same way, when you show respect to the governor or the President, they also reciprocate that respect. It is simply a mark of honour because, in reality, the governor or President is the number one citizen in that setting. This practice also dates back to our colonial history. The colonialists came and imposed their authority over us, largely to demonstrate their power.
Q: Is it also right to place traditional rulers under local governments?
A: It is the law, so the question of whether it is right or wrong does not arise. We have to respect the law. If things are to change, the Constitution must first be amended.Honestly, that arrangement and the relationship between traditional rulers and local governments have come to stay. When you examine the chieftaincy laws, you will find that they vary from state to state, and some of them need to be amended. Until such amendments are made, there is little we can do.
Q: Are you saying that, for the dignity of traditional rulers to be enhanced, there is a need to amend the chieftaincy laws?
A: If there is anything that anyone is dissatisfied with, it should be addressed through amendments to the relevant laws.
Q: If you are asked to pick one thing to be done for Iba, what will that be?
A: I will talk in general for small and rural towns. What I will say is that the government fairly and equitably considers my community. They can’t fix all the holes at the same time. They should realise that we are all part of the same society. The lives of my people matter. Give us the life of urban people: the kind of amenities, schools, roads, hospitals in the urban areas, and what is required in my community. I have six roads that lead to my communities. If they fix all those roads, they will fix them for a cost that is less than one flyover. I am not going to ask for the six roads to be fixed; maybe one major one. I have said it many times in several places: no single qualified medical doctor in my town. We just die. If we faint like this, the next that we are digging the graves. We have a hospital. No qualified medical doctor. We have a primary health centre.
Q: Do you have a qualified nurse?
A: I want to believe that we have one or two.
Q: What cultural festival, historical site or tradition in Iba would you like Nigerians to know, and why is it important to you personally?
A: I would like Nigerians to know the history of how we came to settle in Iba, as well as the cultural festivals associated with that history. According to our history, we migrated from Ile-Ife to a settlement called Apala. Things were not working out well for us there, so our ancestors consulted an oracle, which directed them to migrate further down. They eventually arrived at another place called Meegu, but things were still not favourable. They later reached the place where we are today, and that was how we established our settlement, which we called Abe Iba. The full name of our town is Abe Iba, meaning the place of refuge. Over time, we shortened the name to Iba. There are mountains surrounding my community, and our ancestors established a pact with them. We visit these mountains periodically. I know of two mountains to which sacrifices are offered annually. One of them is called Oke Aye. We therefore celebrate the Oke Aye festival every year. The traditional worshippers responsible for these practices are known as the Aworos. They understand the rituals and know what needs to be done. There are aspects of the tradition that they know but which are not known to everyone. Although I am the custodian of the festival, they are the ones who manage its traditional and spiritual aspects on my behalf. We offer prayers and make the prescribed sacrifices in accordance with the agreements our ancestors established with the mountains. The Egungun festival is common across Yorubaland. However, we do not worship the mountains; we offer sacrifices to them. When I ascended the throne, I met the people responsible for maintaining the traditional spiritual aspects of these practices and encouraged them to continue. However, I also wanted to showcase the beautiful natural scenery of our community and make it available for recreational purposes. That was why I introduced what I call Iba Mountaineering Day, which we organise annually, usually in December. This year, we are holding it on December 18. I also created the Oriki Yoruba Festival, which is a more recent initiative. The idea behind these events is to attract people to Iba so that they can discover and appreciate the wonderful works of nature in our community. We usually organise the mountaineering event on Friday and the Oriki Yoruba Festival on Saturday. These activities also help to boost our local economy. We also have Orisa Oko.
Q: What is the one thing you would like to ask God to do for you?
A: I would ask God to grant me good health throughout my reign on the throne.
Q: For Nigeria to become a better country, what should be done?
A: We have to tackle corruption.
Q: Do you see Nigeria becoming a world-class nation?
A: We are already a world-class country.
Q: You mean in terms of having the status of a world-class nation like America, Canada, or the United Kingdom?A: Everybody complains about the wrong things, yet they are guilty of doing those same things. The very things people condemn are often the things they practise themselves. If we all agree to do the right thing, things will change for the better. We call some people leaders, but is it not Adekunle, who was an ordinary member of society yesterday, who has become a king today? The governor was also one of us before becoming governor. So, where do these leaders come from? They are all products of the same society. We are working very hard, but there are certain things we all agree on and collectively accept. We are all part of the system, and we have accepted things as they are. We prefer to do things this way, whereas countries such as America have chosen a different approach. That is their choice. It is no longer news that contracts are inflated. It involves you and I. If you refuse to participate in a system of contract inflation, then you will not be involved in it. But how many people have openly complained about being asked to inflate contracts? We live in a country where we deceive ourselves. We have been talking about the problems in our police force for years, but what has changed? Some of the people complaining about the police today may eventually join the force and begin doing the very things they once condemned. When we were growing up, we complained about these problems, and now our children have started complaining about the same things.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: I would like to be remembered as the king who brought great transformation and development to his community; the king who reigned and brought peace and prosperity to his people.
