This week sons and daughters of Osogbo are in the news for the very good reason. All through the week they are rejoicing in celebration of their Monarch’s 15th year of coronation/ installation as the 16th Ataoja of Osogbo.Kabiyesi, ki Ade o pe lori, ki Bata o pe lese!
The story of the town, (Osogbo), being undoubtedly an iconic centre of culture in Yoruba land is never in doubt. The people’s history both oral and written, traces the founding of Osogbo (Oroki Asala) to some time in about the year 1670 when two friends, Oba Larooye who was a king and ,his loyal hunter friend led a team from their then little settlement called Ipole-Omu in search of water and farm land. The explorers eventually settled along the banks of the River called Osun. It is the river whose goddess was called Osun, and the spirit of the forest was referred to as Oso-igbo. The spiritual and physical engagements the Larooye led team faced, eventually brought about the founding of the town which today is the capital of Osun State.
Of the 36 federating units or states that constitute the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Osogbo’s rich history speaks of its strategic importance as a centre of trade, commerce and very importantly, culture, especially in the South Western part of this country.
From the years of the mid-17th century when Larooye Gbadewolu was said to have led a contingent of his people to settle along the banks of the River Osun about the year 1670 and was said to have ruled the new settlement until the year 1760 when he died. That history shows that the Capital of Osun State is deeply rooted in great history and culture as we know it today.
According to Prof. Grace Oluyemisi Akinola of the Department of Business Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University, in lle-lfe, the 16th Ataoja of Osogbo who is being celebrated, has come out to show the world that true tradition guided by wisdom and vision continues to thrive even in a changing world.
Well, the celebration of the Ataoja of Osogbo’s 15 years of rulership of the town has demonstrated how a visionary leader and team player can in 15 years of sterling public leadership motivation and development agenda, promote peace as well as strengthen the people’s cultural heritage especially vis-a-vis the Osun Osogbo Sacred Groove which has for some 20 years now become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From the early days of their contact with the river goddess at “Oso-igbo” the then invading new settlers from Ipole-Omu, appeared to have shown a doggedness and a resilience that must have been quite persevering to say the least. Ever since then the history of the evolution of Osogbo as a leading town in Yoruba land has come to be defined and redefined. Ever since Larooye left the scene, all Traditional Rulers of the town have come to be known as Ataoja. This is a mere contraction of the fuller Yoruba descriptive expression Atewogbeja. This ephithet fully called or referred to as Atewogbeja thus becoming Ataoja the street title of the Traditional Ruler of Osogbo.
There are a number of activities that have been packed into the weeklong anniversary celebrations that are now on-going in the heart of Osogbo.
After an initial 3 days of prayers offerings and worship by the monarch and his people the celebration goes intellectual this Monday 15th of September. The Central Planning Committee will at its lecture event raise a national discourse via that public lecture to be delivered by a learned silk Kunle Adegoke SAN, who is also a native of Osogbo. Adegoke is expected to escalate the specific roles the nation’s future constitution could grant traditional rulers in the smooth functioning of the nation in view of the democratic ethos the nation tries to pander to.The Vice Chancellor, Osun State University, Prof. Odunayo Clement Adebooye will chair the academic session
This next Tuesday, the 16th the Planning Committee takes the challenge to the youths where they will engage them in debate and also in quiz competitions right there within the palace walls of Osogbo Oroki Asala. That same day there will be the final match among the participating schools who have gone beyond the preliminary and knock out stages of the football competition.
On Wednesday, 17th Osogbo, the original home of Adire fabric will have its day to prove a point that to all intents and purposes, Adire fabric business in Yoruba land started from Osogbo. The sixty- seven baales of the different communities are pushing that agenda. The planners call it Adire Day. It will take place inside the Ataoja’s palace.
On Friday, 19th the big event takes centre stage. There will be a Public Presentation of a Biography on the monarch. Entitled Crowned By Fate: A Biography of Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II. The book presentation will be at the Distinguished Events Centre in Osogbo.
It is a book written by three distinguished sons of Osogbo. The first of them is an academic who spent over 30 years in the Nigerian Electoral System ending it up as a very top executive. The two other writers are journalists, one in the electronic media, the other in print journalism.
The Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke is the Chief Host while his elder brother Dr Adedeji Adeleke is the Chief Launcher.
Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi Ajagunnla representing Osun Central at the Senate is Chairman of the Day. The Planning Committee believes it is going to be a 3-hours you show whose Roll Call of dignitaries will be of a rainbow colouration.
On Saturday 20th, the Grand Finale and Cultural Extravaganza will hold. The field of the Technical College along Osogbo/Iwo Road will play host to thousands of Osogbo sons, daughters and their friends in a lavish show that will begin at 10 am and will not end until in the evening. Multiple musical artistes will entertain Osun sons and daughters and their guests. Musiliu the great son of the late doyen of Apala tunes will lead the pack of musicians to the event.
It is a one week programmed to bring Osogbo ilu Aro into the limelight as the city celebrates 15 years of the reigning king’s nation-building efforts. Oba Jimoh Abidemi Larooye ll, is a leader who has played many roles in integrating the people. Oba Larooye ll is a perfect example of a leader with so much confidence in him self, that is to say if confidence is in believing in one’s self. Truly if grace is in being humble then His Royal Majesty Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II is an example of humility. We refer to him as the ever confident, humble and persevering Monarch, who in 15 years have been able to bring true leadership and inspiration to his subjects among who are many great minds in the society.
This is wishing the Ataoja of Osogbo many more years of service to his people and his nation.
Adetoyese Shittu-Alamu (otherwise called smolette) wrote from Osogbo, Osun State