*Says Oyo, Ogbomoso missing lot by absence of Alaafin, Soun.
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Bishop of Ibadan Diocese (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa on Sunday, said the the last one year of Oba Lekan Balogun as Olubadan has brought lot of progress and development to Ibadanland.
Most Reverend Akinfenwa said this in his sermon at the Thanksgiving service to close the four-day programme of the first year coronation anniversary of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun CFR held at The Cathedral of St. James The Great, Oke-Bola, Ibadan
He pointed out that there is no doubt in the fact that Ibadan Obaship traditional system remains ” a model that is acknowledged globally
Bishop Akinfenwa maintained that the Ibadan traditional institution remains relevant despite all the travails it had confronted simply because the evolution of the system had no external influence soever.
He then charged all the people of the ancient city to always give the system the honour it deserves, adding, “over the ages, people have continued to hold dear their culture and traditions because of the inherent values and nothing can change that mindset”.
Bishop Akinfenwa commended Gov Seyi Makinde for not reinventing the story by sticking to the tradition of the succession plan described as peaceful, transparent and enduring, adding that the anniversary being celebrated would not have been possible if the governor had done otherwise.
Speaking further, the Bishop called on Gov Makinde to Oyo Town and Ogbomoso solve their succession problems as the ” inability of both Oyo Alaafin and Ogbomoso to have produced successors to the thrones since the demise of their kings, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111 and Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade respectively over a year ago has robbed them of the desired and expected progress”.
” I implore our governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde,to help the two ancient cities to solve their succession problems. I know he is not the one causing the problem, but, as an achiever, he will add to his feathers of success by the two cities having kings to reign over them”, he said.
The Bishop added “I equally charge all the people involved in the selection processes in the two cities to expedite actions, while those struggling to mount the thrones too should give peace a chance and let the interest of the two communities be paramount in their hearts”.
According to Bishop Akinfenwa, ” It doesn’t take long before people forget things, very soon, people may forget about the titles of Alaafin and Soun”.
The thanksgiving service was attended by Sen. Kola Balogun and two of Olubadan’s Oloris, Olayinka and Olufunmilayo as the representatives of the Olubadan were Ashipa Balogun, Oba Kolawole Adegbola, two of the newly installed honorary Chiefs, Prof. Soji Adejumo and Barr. Omobolaji Olukayode Ayorinde, Ajiroba and Agba-Ofin respectively, some Mogajis and Eze Ndigbo of Oyo State, Dr. Alex Anozie and many other important dignitaries.
