* Says kings’ remains shouldn’t be butchered like animals
The Oluwo of Iwo and Alase Lori Orisa, His Imperial Majesty Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has expressed satisfaction with how the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, was buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
Oba Adetona, whose passing was announced on Sunday, was buried the following day at his residence in Ijebu Ode. He died at the age of 91 and was the President of the Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC).
Muslim News gathered that the interment process was conducted by the Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Sheikh Muftaudeen Ayanbadejo and other members of League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, as security operatives, including soldiers, barred traditionalists and members of the Osugbo cult from handling the burial.
Speaking at the burial, Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed that the monarch had indicated he should be buried according to Islamic rites.
Reacting to the late traditional ruler’s burial, Oluwo, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, commended the Awujale and his family for setting ‘a path of honour’ for Yoruba kings.
“The courage demonstrated by the late Adetona’s family, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and the Attorney General of the state, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), is commendable and a foundation blessing to restore the glory of Yoruba stools and its occupants. The Governor is true blue blood,” he said.
Oba Abdulrosheed said no Yoruba monarch should be butchered like animals again, arguing that “Any town willing that his king be butchered after death should appoint an herbalist, Osugbo and Ogboni as their king.”
He added: “The sanctity of Yoruba traditional institution has been protected by the process adopted in burying the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
“Kings are servants to their subjects. They are honourable men who have sacrificed themselves in the interest of their people.
“Honour doesn’t die with the king. They should be honoured to the grave and beyond, and not butchered like an animal after death.
“The noble order of burial rites for Awujale is a win for the Yoruba race, particularly myself. It’s a freedom of Yoruba traditional rulers from physical and spiritual oppression after their death.”
Oluwo recommended that the burial process for Yoruba traditional rulers should be based on the king’s recommendation before his passage or his family’s recommendation after his death.
“The seizure of the king’s corpse from his family by any secret group should be optional, depending on the wishes of his family,” he stated.
The monarch vowed to continue campaigning against all forms of idol worship and traditional cultism in his domain, stressing that he had already freed the Oluwo stool from bondage since his ascension ten years ago.
Vanguard News
Sponsored
