AS the controversy over the celebration of Oranmiyan deity rages between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, and the people of Ile-Ife in Osun State, the monarch has decided to go on with the celebration irrespective of the disapproval from Ile-Ife.
Though, Alaafin has decided
to keep mum over the matter for now, it was gathered that the monarch will
still respond to the comments made by a spokesperson for the Ife community, Oba
Adebolu Fatunmise, Adagba of Iyanfoworogi, Ile Ife that before any Oba in
Yorubaland could worship a deity like Oranmiyan, he should first contact the
custodian of the deity which is Ile Ife.
While justifying the claim
that Ife had the historical superiority to the deity, Oba
Fatunmise had said, “the new contraption which they described as metropolitan
Oyo only came into existence in 1836 under the leadership of Prince Atiba who
they later made the head, that is the nucleus of the Alaafin you have today.”
While speaking with Vanguard
on phone, yesterday, a reliable source from Oyo town said the words from Ife community should be
disregarded. He noted that irrespective of what Ife people said, the
celebration of the deity would continue adding that Oyo town was not ready to
join issues with anybody over it.
Another source who spoke
with Vanguard said Oyo town had not been celebrating the deity before
now but that the monarch who cherishes Yoruba culture with relish decided to be
celebrating the Yoruba deities from time to time.
Vanguard asked the personal assistant
to the monarch, Prince Azeez Fehintola, to comment on the issue, but he refused
stressing that he would not want to pre-empt Oba Adeyemi. He was, however,
quick to say that the monarch would make further comments when the time was
ripe.
Prince Fehintola said:
“Don’t worry. Papa, Alaafin, will speak at the appropriate time. We shall soon
invite all of you to come for briefing”.
Journalist :OLA AJAYI,
from- IBADAN
No comments:
Post a Comment