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Towards An Enduring Peace In Ile-Ife

By Sola Jacobs

Peace is not a state of absolutely no trouble. When a society is peaceful, an individual or group is not perturbed but rather remain calm. Peace is an essential brick for nation building and developments in any society.

In allusion to the biblical Solomon, who ascended the throne of Israel and was confronted with numerous challenges of governing a controversial nation like the then Israel, he asked God for two major things; wisdom and understanding which are essential tools for a successful leadership, having realised that peace is a quintessential tool to having a good and developed society.

The reign of Ooni Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja, II in Ile-Ife could be related to that of biblical Solomon as he knows that he needs peace, wisdom and understanding to lead the source of the black race, the cradle of civilisation. He quickly saddled himself with the business of making peace across various tribes and people not only in Nigeria but even in the diaspora.

This singular move endears him to many hearts including those who had not ebeen opportuned to met him.

But it is a known fact that after every conquest, there is a still land to conquer, thus the question, is Ile-Ife itself peaceful within? Every society has its challenges and disagreement is evident in human existence. So Ile-Ife, being a land of the living and not the dead, there could be noise, there could be disagreement, there could be rivalry, there could be envy but alas there must be peace.

Earlier this year, there was controversy in the Ancient City over “Ewi conundrum” which was said to be produced by an “unknown author” which tends to breed discord between the Kabiyesi and some of his subjects.

Reports from Ile-Ife revealed that the “Maye of the source” Dr Rahman Adedoyin was a strong contender of the throne of Oodua and immediately after the installation of the Ooni Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, he had been offered Olive branch, as Ooni deliberately paid him a visit in his residence in Eleyele quarters as a father and royal brother and tasked him on the development of the Ancient city. He sought the cooperation of all the indigenes as he cannot do it alone.

As a royal father, without the cooperation of all his subjects, just as Yoruba proverbs say “Agbajo owo la fi n soya”, meaning that to steer things right in the town, all hands must be on deck”, with this gesture it is a cheering news that really, Ooni Ogunwusi is a peace lover.

But it was alleged that utterances and dispositions of Dr Rahman Adedoyin to issues and matters that relate to the foremost royal father portrays that he is yet to come to reality that Ooni Ogunwusi is the supreme monarch of Ifeland.

The disposition of Oba Adeoye Adefarakan after being fingered as the sponsor of the alleged “Ewi” that ridiculed the highest stool in yorubaland could be said to be tied to his “activist” style but with no concrete evidence. However, Yoruba had this proverb that “Whosoever that shy in dealing with his own siblings from the same mother, other siblings from his father will not fear him’ hence leading to the arraignment of Oba Adefarakan in February, coinciding with his 63rd birthday before an Ile-Ife magistrate court on four-count charge over an Ewi conundrum and his subsequent remand at Ile-Ife Prison, Kosere for 14 days.

Most of the people outside Ife reacting to the reports are of the opinion that if Oba Adefarakan is not of Ife extract, what is more serious and dangerous could have happened, but thank God for the intervention of Ife indigenes in diaspora and within, as well as some friends and lovers of peace that mediated in the crisis.

The most cheering of it all is that Oba Adefarakan had since regained his freedom while all charges against him had been quashed, that is the spirit of forgiveness: to err is human and to forgive is divine.

But the begging question is that is the present peace in Ile-Ife an enduring one, has all the factions, individuals and group sheath their swords? Time and events has way of revealing the truth as well as the responses of leaders to situations arising.

Now that Oba Adefarakan had regained his freedom and charges against him had been quashed, Ife had won the battle again, as what could had strained the peaceful atmosphere of the ancient city had been wisely truncated, and every effort to plunge the city into any internal crises must be jealously guided as the house that is divided against itself will suffer defeat.

Ife has many enemies to conquer ranging from youth joblessness, underdevelopment, lack of infrastructures, lack of unity and purpose, unpatriotic acts among indigenes and selfishness of some individuals to conquer. But to add division and internal wrangling to these societal enemies is suicidal, as many are watching what will become of a preacher without peace in his abode.

Therefore, it should be an imperative sincere desire for everyone, as an Ife indigene and of pure Yoruba extracts to see that peace reigns in Ifeland and the state of Osun in particular but it requires concerted effort of internal reconciliation, building bridge of love and forgiveness, selflessness and perseverance just as the biblical injunction stated “He that must be great among you, must accept the kingdom of God like of these little children”. The peace of Ife, is the peace of the entire Yoruba race.

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EUNICE OMISAKIN says:

May 26, 2018 at 9:06 am

The message is loud and clear. Peace must reign in Ifeland. lnternal reconciliation is urgently needed.
May the good Lord give our dear king Oonirisa HIM Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi Ojaja ll the wisdom and understanding to lead the source of the black race, the cradle of the Yorubas. Your life will be long with good health and sound mind, your reign will be long and peacefull in Jesus name. The spirit of our ancestors will guard and guide you to make decisions that will bring peace to our dear land.