The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun is one of the prominent traditional rulers in the South West. In this interview by TUNDE BUSARI, he speaks on the forthcoming Osun-Osogbo Festival, the crime rate in the town and efforts being made to chase criminal elements out of Osogbo, among other issues.
The Osun-Osogbo festival, which draws a huge following, is few weeks away. How prepared are you to host another edition?
Let me start by educating the general public more about Osun-Osogbo festival. The belief out there is that the festival only holds in August. Yes, August is the month of the festival. But the build-up to it starts with Oro festival in March.
Does that imply that the Oro festival is an important part of the Osun-Osogbo event?
What I am saying is that the Oro festival kick-starts the Osun-Osogbo festival. This is to be followed by Egungun festival which comes up in April. I want you to take note of this arrangement so that, apart from the fact that you are here, you will also help us, as a journalist, to educate the tourists better.
What activities are held between April and August?
In the month of May, we have Ogun festival. Ogun is the god of iron. This festival is also followed by Ifa festival. The Araba of Osogbo will do some consultations and interpret such consultations to the palace. These are the things that we engage in that eventually lead us into the month of August when we have Osun-Osogbo festival. This explanation is necessary, as I said earlier, to properly educate those who think the main August festival is a one-week event.
What do you expect this year’s edition to reflect, in terms of organisation?
I want to see the Osun-Osogbo festival of this year to be better than the previous years, in terms of organisation and attendance. You will agree with me that the festival is no more an Osogbo affair. A festival that attracts tourists and students and scholars from different parts of the world is no more the exclusive of the hosting community. That is Osun-Osogbo festival for you. Attendance keeps growing year-in, year-out. This means a lot to the development of my town.
Have you a personal target to meet during the festival?
I have no target beyond having a successful festival. But I have to use this edition to show appreciation on the result I have on some issues we have faced in the past. We have gone to Akure and returned with victory song. This deserves special mention and thanksgiving. So, the Osun-Osogbo festival of this year is dedicated to that victory.
Osogbo is reputed to be one of the most peaceful towns in Nigeria. Unfortunately, recent occurrences in crime rate seem to be changing that image. What do you think is responsible for this development?
Your observation is right because it is not hidden. But I can tell you that all hands are on deck now to ensure peace and security are maintained in the town and the entire state. It is realised that the success being recorded in taming criminals in Lagos has forced them out to seek refuge elsewhere. Osogbo is not the only town affected by this migration. It affects Ogun and Oyo too. I read in your papers that six kidnappers were arrested in Ogun State. Your paper also almost on a daily basis writes about armed robbers arrested in some parts of Oyo State. I also want to see it as one of the side effects of development. When a town is growing in size and population, crime rate also increases. It is now left for the authorities to tackle the problem so that it would not escalate and get out of hand.
Are there measures put in place by the traditional institution in supporting security agencies in fighting crime?
That is why I said all hands are on deck. No traditional ruler would go to bed when criminals are disturbing the peace of his town. He must do something. He must find a way to curb it. That is what I am doing. As I talk with you, the police have made some arrest and prosecuted some suspects who are currently in Ilesa Prison. We are not going to accommodate criminals in this town. I thank the law enforcement agents for rising to the occasion but they still need to do more because criminals are stubborn. I have no doubt in the ability of the security agents that we shall chase the criminals out of the town.
How have you been coping as a traditional ruler?
There is no seat that is not hot. It all depends on the person occupying the seat. The throne is not a private thing;it is public seat, which makes the occupier a public property so to say. You are daily confronted with issues, all kinds of issues, from conflicting ones to controversial. All these test your capacity and wisdom. If this is what is called hot seat, well it is. But with prayer, nothing is impossible. I am close to God and always seeking his intervention on different issues and on how I should handle them. And by the special grace of that God, I am always happy the way such issues are resolved.
I want to come back to the point that the occupier of the position has much work to do in ensuring things are done properly. If this is done, the throne is not hot. But if otherwise, it will be hotter. I can only implore leaders to make their position easy by doing things right at all time. Of course, no leader or anybody can satisfy the world but a leader or anybody must strive to do his or her best; the best that will live after him or her. That is my simple principle, hence the reason I said the seat here is not hot.
Osogbo is gradually wearing the look of a true state capital. What is your take on this development?
With due respect to other towns that make up the state, I can say the state of Osogbo today is the handiwork of God. God is using Rauf Aregbesola, the governor, to change the face of Osogbo from what it used to be before he came. I am very happy for him because he extended development to other towns. Osogbo got the bigger because of its official status as the capital. Today, the town is attractive to outsiders who come to do business and even develop property here. I am using this opportunity to encourage others to come. Osogbo is a naturally accommodating place for all and sundry. Indigenes and non-indigenes in Osogbo are my sons and daughters. So, they should always do their best to further contribute to the growth of the town. On security issue, they should also join hands with us to ensure criminals are chased out of the town.
You applauded Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon at his birthday ceremony. What informed the superlative words?
He deserves no less given his contribution to the development of our tradition and culture, particularly Ifa practice. All the guests, who made remarks on the occasion, said he is an international personality. That is the truth. I appreciated him more during my trip to Brazil. If you see the number of foreigners, who were praising him for what he had done in their lives, you would be moved.The number of Americans that also attended his birthday adds to his good name.
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