* We need a new palace and we are expecting government to support us in this aspect
By John Odunayo
The 2024 Olosunta Festival celebration in the ancient Ikere Ekiti was yet another time to showcase, promote and demonstrate the beauty and significance of culture and tradition.
Ikere indigenes from far and near came together to be part of the celebration of the festival which marked the beginning of the New Year for the community, a time to pray for prosperity of the indigenes and development of the town and yet a time to celebrate the hero of the town.
The grand finale and the events on the preceding day had colour and candour on display and different groups, clad in different aso ebi thronged the Olukere Palace ground to be part of event as the traditional ruler, the Olukere of Odo Oja Ikere Ekiti, Oba Ganiyu Ayodele Obasoyin, was regally dressed, playing host to the indigenes and guests.
Traditional rulers from other Ekiti communities including the Onire of Ire Ekiti, Oba Adeleke Bobade, were on ground to celebrate Olosunta Festival with the Olukere.
IT’S NEW YEAR FOR IKERE
The Olukere, Oba Obasoyin, a culture and tradition enthusiast, sheds more light on the yearly Olosunta Festival, saying, “We are not worshipping any idol here, Olosunta is about remembrance of our past heroes, just like other people do.
“I will enjoin Ikere people to continue to celebrate. We are not worshipping idol here, we are only honouring our past heroes. We do not worship anybody or the hill. There is a hero that is laying in that hill till the end of time, we are celebrating what he has done for us in this community and what he is still doing for us”.
He said, “This festival brings us together, you can see the crowd of Ikere indigenes that are present in the palace today, it is our way of starting a new year in Ikere. We in Ikere start our new year with the hosting of the Olosunta Festival.
“Everybody at the beginning of every new year prays, seeks the face of God on the things he wants and those he/she doesn’t want in the course of the year. It is a kind of cleansing all the bad things that might have happened during the past year and starting the new year afresh with fresh demands, fresh belief, new expectations and renewed trust in God.
“So, we believe the new year will usher in prosperity for the town, safety for all our sons and daughters home and abroad and prosperity and peace for Ekiti State and Nigeria,” the Olukere said.
The monarch, who spoke on activities for the day preceding the grand finale, said, “We observe the Agba Ale. Then, our sons and daughters will be carrying palm fronds with light all over the community. That will be done till late in the evening when we will go to the hill for our night vigil.
“Every year, there is always a night vigil. The Olukere as the father of the community leads the people to the top of the mountain where the vigil will take place.
“There, we will pray for Ikere, pray for the sons and daughters, pray for Ekiti and Nigeria. And in the following morning, i.e the grand finale, we will return from the hill after the vigil. That will be the final ceremony of the Olosunta Festival”.
CAUSE TO BE THANKFUL
Oba Obasoyin said that the community had many things to thank God for between the 2023 Olosunta Festival and the 2024 edition, saying, “Between 2023 and 2024 under the present Biodun Oyebanji administration, we witnessed a lot of positive developments. Ikere has been enjoying and moving forward.
“Among others, Moshood Road, a major road in my community here has been tarred, there is a waterfall which has been wasting away in Ikere, government is going to start working on it now, as we speak, government is working on those roads that have been giving our farmers problems.
“We appreciate the governor, Governor Oyebanji, and his able deputy governor, Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye. They are the best that have happened to us in Ekiti State when we talk of pairing of governor and deputy governor. Their working relationship has been excellent and every citizen of Ekiti can see that we are developing.
The Olukere, who expressed joy the kidnapping and untoward activities of armed herders and their herds were fast becoming a thing of the past in Ikere Ekiti, hailed the governor and his deputy for the positive development resulting from collaboration with security agencies and monarchs.
REQUESTING SUPPORT FOR NEW PALACE BUILDING
He said, “But like Oliver Twist, we keep asking for more, there are still a lot of things that need to be done in Ikere. We will still continue to plead to government, this palace needs a new building.
“We have the ancient building and the little ones we have been able to put in place, we need a new palace and we are expecting government to support us in that aspect”.
The Olukere appealed to the federal and state governments for more appointments for Ikere sons and daughters, saying, “We want our sons and daughters to be in top positions so that they can give back to this community”.
ADVICE ON ECONOMY
Oba Obasoyin also took time out to reflect on the happenings in the country, saying, “The state of the nation at present is alright, but not very alright”as he advised President Bola Tinubu to review the removal of fuel subsidy by approaching it in phases to palliate the suffering of Nigerians.
The traditional ruler, who hinged the hunger, high prices and inflation in the country on effects of fuel subsidy removal, said, “The Federal Government should listen to the people and do something about the subsidy issue.
“President Bola Tinubu has been trying his best to make sure everything goes well, most of the administration’s economic policies for now may give us long term results. For this reason, it is tough for people in the country at present.
“I will appeal to the president that with the tough situation of things, he should consider the grievances that brought about recent protests, see what we can do about the cost of fuel because this is where the major problem starts.
“It is good we drop subsidy, but I don’t think we should do it in a way that will put us in serious hunger. The government can do it in phases which will bring relief to the people.
“Fuel is involved in all activities of Nigerians and I believe that the Federal Government should listen to the people and do something about the subsidy issue. Yes, we want subsidy erased, but it should be in a gradual manner.
“Government is about the masses. We know we have a future with the president’s economic plans, but we have to eat before we get to the future. The future is for those who are alive. If you cannot pay children’s school fees, what is the future of the children?”
CASE FOR PROMOTING CULTURE, TRADITION
While making case for the promotion of culture and tradition, which he described as heritage, the Olukere took a swipe and an unnamed traditional ruler who he said was fond of deriding the Yoruba culture and tradition.
He said, “There is an oba who is insulting traditionalists and Yorubas promoting their culture and tradition. Nobody becomes an oba without passing through cultural and traditional processes to become an oba.
“It is only a bastard that will be pointing to his father’s house with his left hand; it is funny if you got to a position of obaship through tradition and culture, and on getting there, you start making noise that the culture/tradition is idol worshipping.
“If you don’t want to be involved in culture and tradition, then why are you an oba? Anybody, whether a traditional ruler or whosoever that says our culture and traditional should be done away with needs his brain reexamined.
“This is a cause for Yorubas to think well before choosing the oba. Don’t choose obas that will come to desecrate the tradition we are protecting,” Oba Obasoyin said.
