Oba Adedokun Abolarin is the Orangun of Oke-Ila in IfedayoLocal Government Area of Osun state. He is every inch a foremost traditional ruler with a difference, combining creatively the responsibility of traditional rule with social services. Osun Newsroom had a chanced encounter with him on some salient local and national issues bordering on tradition, custom, and governance. The memorable encounter with him was not without telling Osunnewsroom his experiences on the throne as an Oba cum teacher, having established a school in Oke Ila, which can be described as a miniature of the country given the diversity it allows. The vintage royal father also talked of his last moments with the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, his thought on the concept of true federalism, and a number of other issues. Excerpts:
Osunnewsroom:
How has life been for you since you became a traditional ruler. Are there things you are missing?
Oba Abolarin:
Definitely not. I have never for once had any iota of regret or a cause to miss anything. I combine the dual role of a being a teacher and traditional ruler over my subjects in Oke-Ila. I prepare my people for today and their future. Traditional institution is a big ministry. So as a teacher and traditional ruler of people, you should never for once think of immediate reward. The future should always be the focus and that has been the guiding principle of my happiness and of course successes on the throne of my forebears. For instance, here in Oke-Ila, I have a school – Abolarin College, Oke Ila. It is a school that can be described as a mini Nigeria. It is a school with a network of presence. I have students from different states in Nigeria. I am building a mini nation here in my community of Oke Ila. The children of the rich and the poor cohabit to learn here under a conducive atmosphere. In terms of impact, it is yielding the desired results. I feel fulfilled doing this and others for my people. I have been nicknamed in the place “lo kawe e” (go and read your book).
Osunnewsroom:
What has been the motivation for you in this regard?
Oba Abolarin:
Life is all about making impact. I can’t be around for the next 60 or 70 years but with this school, I have been able to put an everlasting legacy on ground which will outlive me. This remains my joy and motivation. Nation building is not a thing you do overnight. No. It is a process. This is a philanthropic gesture which I will say runs in my DNA. When you look at my background, my father was a philanthropist. My grandfather was and my great-grandfather was. My paternal grandfather was. It is a duty that we owe to humanity. Being good to people is good and it is a serious business. Being a traditional ruler is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. I love it. I cherish it. Culture evolves. It is not static. I enjoy my life here as a culturally and traditionally inclined royal father. Let me say it again and again that there’s nothing that I am missing since I became a king. The environment here in Oke Ila Orangun is calm. It is cool and friendly. I see the beauty of the world from a cultural perspective here in Oke Ila. It is a beautiful environment with beautifully hardworking people. The topographic nature of this community is alluring and inviting. Take a visit to this place and you will be glad you did. I mean it.
Osunnewsroom:
Being an educated traditional ruler perhaps gives you this beautiful insight into appreciating where nature has placed you. Is that correct sir?
Oba Abolarin:
Well, you are right to a very large extent. If I cannot give my education to give relevance to what I have, of what value then is that education that I have acquired? Education is for service. The ability to see what others don’t have and then build them towards having them to their advantage is gratifying. I am not rich but to the glory of God, I always feel happy and fulfilled. It gives me joy to be a servant of my people in advancing their course for greatness as a royal father in Oke-Ila. You must be kind as a king. You must be responsible also and at the same time you must be focused and courageous too. It is my desire to lift up the weak and the strong in my community. You don’t have to be in Osogbo, Abuja, Port-Harcourt, New York or London before impacting on the lives of your people. I thank God that I am at Oke IlaOrangun today. It is my joy. It is my blessing.
Osunnewsroom:
That takes us to the roles of traditional institution generally in the society.
Oba Abolarin:
Oh, it is a great institution. A very beautiful one for that matter. The institution improves on a daily basis . The institution is key and paramount, it serves as a vehicle to developing people and the environment. For instance, as an Orangun here in Oke Ila, I am a teacher, a Chief Security Officer, an education officer, a lawyer, an information officer, a judicial officer and all other fields of human endeavours you can think of . People on a daily basis report to me and I must attend to them and that gives me the great roles of combining all those functions as one. My people believe in me. They love me. They cherish me and in turn I do same. I feel comfortable living among them. I am their Chief Arbitrator.
Osunnewsroom:
A school of thought assumes that bringing up one’s children in the palace is hazardous. Do you share same impression?
Oba Abolarin:
To a large extent I do. However, it depends on the kind of training one gives them. Do not over-pamper your children while living with you in the palace. If they live with you as a king, there’s no problem. However, it could be abused by them if care is not taken. The tendency is for them to think that they must also live royally like you their father who is a king. In the process, they could become complacent. They may have the belief that life is a bed of roses in the palace, not knowing that there is more to life than they think it is in the various palaces under the sun. As an Oba on the throne, let your children have a feel of hardship too, as hardship toughens a soul and prepares such a soul for the many challenges associated with life. Well, as a matter of principle, I don’t over-pamper my children. If as their father I was over-pampered while I was being brought up by my own father, perhaps I wouldn’t have been experienced about the other side of life as I am accustomed to today.
Osunnewsroom:
You were said to be one of the few Obas in Yoruba land that had a close contact with the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba LamidiAdeyemi. What are some of the things you learnt from him?
Oba Abolarin:
Quite a lot. The late Alaafin was a lover of humanity. A personification of culture, royalty and tradition. He was everything noble. His love for his people and Yoruba land as a whole was legendary. Of course his love for Nigeria was total and undiluted despite the myriads of challenges bedevillingthe country.
Osunnewsroom:
He was an advocate of true federalism too?
Oba Abolarin:
Yes of course, you got it absolutely correct. For instance, during one of my last personal encounters with him, he gave me a 13-page epistle wherein he emphatically stated his views about a better Nigeria. The late Oba will always hammer on how best to give Nigeria the needed true look as a nation. This view of Alaafin always centred on the concrete concept of true federalism as opposed to how the country is currently being run. Alaafin will always tell me while alive that federalism is the key that will open the door for a better Nigeria. Federalism is the solution. He will tell you that the present federal structure is not skewed properly to reflect true federalism.
Osunnewsroom:
In few days now, Osun will go to the polls for the governorship election. What should be the roles, functions and responsibilities of traditional rulers?
Oba Abolarin:
Quite a lot. As custodians of culture and traditions, we are fathers to all the contestants and their followers. We should pray for a successful election. An election that will be devoid of skirmishes is what we look forward to. An election that is totally free from violence. The one that will further reunite than divide us as a people. In Osun we are products of one family – we are all Yoruba not withstanding our political differences.
Osunnewsroom:
To the political gladiators, what is your take home for them?
Oba Abolarin:
They should thread softly, and play the game according to its rules and regulations. Leadership is all about service. It is about development. The present and future of any given society is in the hand of its leaders. A good leader should think first, about the peace, progress and advancement of his people before any other selfish consideration. Democracy is not just a process, it is a way of life. It is what late Papa Michael Ajasin called “you talk, I talk”. It is a give and take process which should not cause violence at all. In any democracy, compromise is the key word.
Osunnewsroom:
Final words for everybody regarding the July 16 guberelection?
Oba Abolarin:
Let there be peace. Let there be love. Let there be tolerance. Let there be unity. The spirit of oneness should be the order of the day. Osun is a peaceful state. I foresee peace reigning supreme before, during and after the coming Osun 2022 gubernatorial election. This will be our lot by the special grace of God. Amen.
