The Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye, has issued a strong warning to monarchs who abandon traditional practices after ascending their thrones, insisting that those unwilling to embrace the customs of the institution should step aside.
Speaking in Akure during a colloquium marking the 10th coronation anniversary of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, Oba Ogunoye responded to concerns raised by Dr. Festus Adedayo, who lamented the erosion of sacred values and myths within the traditional institution.
Dr. Adedayo, a journalist and scholar, traced the historical role of traditional rulers from the pre-colonial era to the present, arguing that many present-day monarchs contribute to the diminishing reverence of the throne by neglecting core cultural values and rites.
He called on the institution to reclaim its dignity by upholding rituals, sacred appearances, and dignified conduct inherited through generations.
In his remarks, Oba Ogunoye cautioned against making generalized accusations, urging instead that individuals who compromise traditional norms should be specifically identified and addressed.
He described himself as a committed traditionalist, recalling his decades-long residence in the palace with his father and his thorough understanding of the responsibilities that come with kingship. The Olowo emphasized that tradition is not repugnant, but a sacred heritage that deserves preservation.
Oba Ogunoye maintained that becoming a monarch is a matter of personal choice, not coercion, stating that anyone aspiring to the throne should be prepared to faithfully observe established customs.
He argued that “it is not by force” to assume the role of an Oba, and that upholding tradition does not conflict with dignity or modern life. He also commended the Oyo State Government for adherence to tradition in the recent selection of the new Alaafin of Oyo.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who delivered the keynote address at the event titled “Role of Nigeria’s Traditional Institution in Nation Building: Impediments and Prospects,” described the monarchy as a cornerstone of Nigerian heritage, predating both oil discovery and colonial rule.
Governor Makinde called on government at all levels to invest more in cultural institutions as a strategy for nation building.
The colloquium drew a distinguished audience, including the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Oba of Ilu-Abo, Oba Olu Falae, who chaired the event, as well as the Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiye Fasoranti, and other dignitaries such as the representative of the Vice President, Dr. Tope Fasua, Ondo State Attorney General, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, Professor Adedayo Afe, and the celebrant himself, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi.
