The Oke Ayedun community of Ekiti State is home to a rich tapestry of cultural heritage, proudly presided over by its traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty, Oba Sir Olufemi Aribisala, Obembe I. Regarded for his eloquence and genuine dedication to the progress and development of his community, Oba Aribisala has become a pivotal figure in safeguarding and promoting the traditions of Oke Ayedun, notably through the annual Oke Ayedun Day Festival. On September 8th, 2024, our team had the privilege of visiting his palace and engaging in an insightful interview with him regarding the origins and significance of this remarkable festival, which had just taken place on September 7th.
The 38th Oke Ayedun Day Festival, held under the astute leadership of Oba Sir Olufemi Aribisala, Obembe I, is emblematic of the enduring spirit of the Oke Ayedun people. It serves as a cultural cornerstone that fosters unity and community development. The festival not only commemorates the past but also shapes the future by instilling pride in cultural identity while navigating the complexities of modernity. As communities around the world seek to preserve their heritage in an increasingly globalised environment, festivals like Oke Ayedun stand as a testament to the power of cultural expression, community resilience, and the shared human experience.
Excepts:
Question: Your Highness, what is the origin and significance of the Oke Ayedun Day Celebration?
Answer: The celebration is fundamentally about development. It began during the coronation of my predecessor in 1991. Since then, it has become an annual event where we invite our people home to raise funds for community projects aimed at developing our community. Recently, we have also introduced cultural activities to reconnect our children with our heritage and history.
As I mentioned, it was initiated by my predecessor during his coronation. After a 14-year period without an Oba on the throne, this interregnum set back the community’s development. When the new Oba ascended to the throne, we decided to hold a fundraising event to kickstart infrastructure development. The event was successful, and we agreed to continue it annually on the first Saturday of September. During this day, we gather our people, encourage contributions, and invite friends to help raise funds for our community.
We cannot rely solely on government support for all our developmental needs; we must supplement government efforts. This celebration has been instrumental in generating the necessary funds for our projects. This year marks the 38th edition of the Oke Ayedun Day Celebration.
Question: What development challenges does Oke Ayedun-Ekiti face?
Answer: Oke Ayedun is primarily an agrarian society, with most residents engaged in farming. Historically, this community was a hub for educational development, with only four primary schools providing education up to standard six—one of which was located here. At that time, we had many educated individuals, but most pursued careers in teaching rather than entrepreneurship. Consequently, many teachers were posted across various locations, leaving the majority of residents reliant on subsistence farming.
At one point, we were cultivating commercial rice, but due to its labor-intensive nature and destruction from birds and grasscutters, many became discouraged and returned to subsistence farming. This reliance on subsistence agriculture limits our ability to generate significant revenue for community development.
Question: What role does the Local Government Council (LGC) play in contributing to the infrastructural development of Oke Ayedun-Ekiti?
Answer: Ikole Local Government is unique in that it encompasses 25 recognized communities with their own Obas; they are autonomous entities. The local government must distribute resources among these widely spread communities, making it challenging to address everyone’s needs simultaneously. If these communities were closer together, development would be easier; however, they are scattered over a large area—covering about 60 to 80 kilometers—which complicates resource allocation.
Question: What steps has Oke Ayedun-Ekiti taken towards generating revenue for its development? Are there markets in the area?
Answer: Yes, we do have a market here. In the past, Ikole market was the largest in Ikole LGA, with Oke Ayedun’s market being a close second. People used to travel from far and wide to shop at our market. However, over time—possibly due to the interregnum when there was no leadership—the activities in our market diminished while Ikole market remained strong.
We are currently working to revitalize our market. The local government has taken over its management; however, due to insufficient funding, communities are left to maintain it themselves. I sometimes use my personal funds to keep the market clean and ensure its upkeep through manual labor.
Our market benefits from being located at a junction where transportation thrives, which also aids in generating some revenue for community activities.
Question: Your Majesty, could you please explain the nature of the chieftaincy titles you bestow upon your subjects?
Answer: The traditional titles we confer are functional titles given to individuals within the community for administrative purposes. These titles are not honorary; they serve specific roles. For example, some individuals are appointed as heads of streets and quarters to address the day-to-day issues in those areas. These titles are for life, and those who hold them are obligated to perform certain rites and functions within the community. However, the number of these titles is limited. Once a head of a street is appointed, there cannot be another until that individual passes away. Even if a head grows old or weak, they remain in that position for life. Thus, these traditional titles are permanent.
As our society modernizes, we also create honorary titles. When we recognize individuals—sons and daughters of our community—who are doing well and willing to assist the community, we honor them with a title. This grants them recognition as chiefs, even though they may not have specific responsibilities. We can call upon them from time to time for their assistance.
Chief Kemi Elebute Halle falls into this category. Her contributions extend beyond financial support; she brings valuable connections and influence from Ado-Ekiti and Abuja, which can attract investments to our economy and aid in developing our society. Therefore, we seek out individuals like her. This practice is not limited to Oke Ayedun; every community engages in similar recognition.
Question: On September 7th, you conferred chieftaincy titles on Chief Kemi Elebute-Halle and her husband, Engr. Chief Haim Halle. What can you highlight as their major contributions to the development of your Majesty’s kingdom?
Answer: Oke Ayedun has long been recognized as a citadel of education, producing many professors and individuals involved in administration, particularly in educational institutions. However, we have lagged in political participation. Our sons and daughters have not taken politics seriously, which is crucial in today’s Nigeria where politics influences everything.
In Yoruba culture, there is a saying that reflects this: if you were absent during the distribution of resources, you cannot complain about how things were shared later. If you had been present during the sharing, you could have fought for your share. Our lack of active involvement in politics has meant we haven’t had the right representation or benefited much from political processes.
Kemi’s entry into high-level politics has been transformative; she has utilized her resources effectively and gained recognition for her ability to access places previously unavailable to us. She has become an asset to our community, which is why we all support her.
While it is often said that Obas do not engage in politics directly, our role is to build up the community. I do not engage in partisan politics nor direct anyone toward a specific party; however, I guide Kemi to find avenues where she can make a significant impact for herself and the community.
When I interrupted and referred to her as a “good child of Ekiti” during her citation reading yesterday, I acknowledged that she belongs not just to me but to everyone in Ekiti. The attendance of numerous Obas at her coronation reflects her character and influence; they recognize that she will also be an asset to them. I am confident she will receive more chieftaincy titles from other communities as well.
Question: Your daughter, Chief Kemi Elebute Halle, is undeniably a courageous and justice-oriented woman. As her father, what are your prayers for her?
Answer: Clearly, she is courageous and committed to justice. My prayer is that her aspirations are fulfilled. While I cannot predict where her journey will take her, I am confident that, by God’s grace, she will surpass even her own expectations. She is a remarkable young lady—charismatic, approachable, and eager to connect with people. These qualities endear her to many.
Question: You conferred chieftaincy titles on both Chief Kemi and her husband, Engr. Haim Halle.
Answer: Yes, I recognize that they work closely together and spend a lot of time visiting us. From what I have observed about our son-in-law, he serves as a guide for Kemi. She did not achieve her accomplishments solely on her own; her husband has played a significant role in her success. We consider him one of our own, so it is only natural that we also honor him.
Question: What is your fatherly advice to the youth in Oke Ayedun?
Answer: In my speech at the 38th Oke Ayedun Day ceremony, I highlighted our tendency to complain even when solutions are right in front of us. Many young people in this community prefer to wait for someone else to do the work for them rather than taking initiative themselves. For example, while there are opportunities in agriculture and other fields where funding is available, many young people still choose to ride motorcycles or sell tickets for small earnings.
I recall a story about a young man who approached someone for money. The man offered to pay him if he would wash his car, but the young man contemptuously refused, saying, “Me? Wash cars? I can’t do that.” This attitude reflects a broader issue: many are unwilling to take on even menial jobs.
They often cry out about hunger while fertile lands around us remain unused and overgrown with weeds. There are several communities near agrarian lands that the government has cleared for cultivation, yet these lands are neglected. I used to farm there myself.
Many young people seek quick money instead of working hard for their livelihood. As Peter Tosh famously said, “Nothing good comes easy.” You must put in the effort; when you work hard for something, you appreciate its value more.
I wish our youth would recognize the dignity of labor and strive to sustain their livelihoods through honest work rather than seeking easy money. Just recently, I was on my way to Ifaki and somebody pointed a house to me. I understood a young boy of about 21 built the mansion. I learnt he only lived in it for about a week and passed away. What’s the point of such achievements if one isn’t willing to work?
If you take a knife and venture into the bushes around Oke Ayedun for just 10 to 15 minutes, you will find something to eat—bananas, plantains, or other resources. With enough cultivation, you could even sell what you grow.
I recently saw a video of a Chinese farmer selling yams from his plantation to Nigerians. I wish our youth would embrace hard work instead.
Question: Finally, sir, what are your views on the omission of the role of traditional rulers in the Nigerian constitution?
Answer: It is a significant oversight. In the old Western Region, we had the Western House of Chiefs with representatives from various Obas attending sessions. It functioned similarly to the House of Lords in England, with both a Parliament and a House of Chiefs.
Obas are closest to the grassroots level; they serve their communities based on cultural traditions. Unlike politicians who may be elected through party systems, Obas come from ruling houses and are selected based on their lineage and community respect.
It’s a gross mistake to believe that Obas lack relevance. They may not receive salaries like government officials, but countless individuals seek their assistance daily—whether for personal issues or family problems—rather than turning to courts or police.
The selection process for Obas is not entirely democratic compared to the electoral system used by political parties; however, community input ensures that they represent the interests of their people. This is why when problems arise, everyone turns to the Oba before seeking help from local government chairmen or police.
The local government chairman is likely my child. He is set to serve for three or four years —but I hold a position that can last until death or removal due to misconduct, yet I must seek his permission before going anywhere. In contrast, my position is determined solely by God, and only He will decide when I leave this role. When I took this role, I viewed it as a life sentence.
It is completely contrary to our culture. We have a state council that meets regularly. When lecturers are planning to go on strike, they come to us for assistance in negotiating with the government.
Question: Today, we are contemplating the rewriting of our constitution. What is your advice?
Answer: When Nigeria was formed, we had a Federal Constitution arrangement where different units operated relatively autonomously, contributing to the central government. However, the military government that emerged after the first coup suspended and abolished the previous system, implementing a presidential system that has proven to be quite wasteful in Nigeria. The parliamentary system allowed for better representation, as representatives were elected directly from their grassroots. In contrast, a president might not even win in his home state yet still become the president of Nigeria, which does not benefit the country.
If we could revert to a system where different regions could develop at their own pace, it would be beneficial. There are areas ready to progress, but centralization slows down development in those regions. While some regions are eager to advance, others prefer to rely on federal government support. This diversity of opinions makes governance challenging.
I hope that one day someone will have the courage to address these issues directly and acknowledge the need for change in our country’s structure.
Question: What about the role of traditional rulers?
Answer: Given the diversity of cultures and ideas among different tribes in our country, traditional institutions vary significantly. For instance, Obas in Yoruba land differ from Igbo leaders. In Igbo land, anyone with the means can rally support to become a community leader. However, in Yoruba culture, if you are not from the ruling house, you cannot become an Oba. Those from ruling houses are trained and groomed for leadership responsibilities when the time comes.
Question: Sir, what do you want us as a country to do about the role of traditional rulers, institutionalizing it, and giving them a role in the constitution?
Answer: Even now, there is progress being made, so we cannot revert to past practices. In Yoruba land, an Oba is referred to as Kabiyesi; you do not question him once he speaks—his word is final. Traditionally, he is considered next to God in Yoruba culture. When an Oba speaks, no one dares to contradict him. However, this is no longer feasible, as some have abused this authority. There are checks and balances in place; if an Oba becomes uncontrollable, there are methods to remove him permanently to allow for someone else to take his place. While this was once possible, it is no longer the case. We must now govern by the rule of law.
Today, many Obas are individuals who have served the country in various capacities. For example, in Ikole L.G., we have one Oba who was a retired police officer, and another who recently passed away was a retired commissioner of police. Our current chairman is a humanitarian activist who has traveled extensively. I have a background as an engineer in the oil industry and have managed numerous projects with experienced individuals. Many Obas are former Chief Justices who have transitioned into these roles. The people occupying these positions are not nonentities; they are intelligent individuals who have achieved a certain level of independence and do not require funding to function effectively.
When you undermine them by suggesting they lack ideas or cannot contribute to discussions, it disregards their knowledge of their communities. If the government or parliament is considering new laws, Obas should be allowed to review and comment on them to assess their potential impact on their subjects. This inclusion is essential; without recognizing their role in the constitution, something significant will be missing.