The Olowa of Iberu and Chief Priest of Ijebuland, Chief Rasaki Osimodi, has lamented the manner in which traditionalists, were barred from the burial of the just-deceased Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
Although Osimodi noted that Oba Adetona had distanced himself from the traditionalists years before his passage, he said tradition ought to have been followed during the funeral, arguing that what happened had consequences.
“It really painful because here was a someone who ate and drank with us but when it was time for him to pay us back, he said he must be buried according to Islamic injunction.”
Osimodi made this known in an interview in ‘Saturday Punch’.
He added, “I am the chief priest of the Obinrin Ojowu deity for the immediate past Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona. I am also one of the kingmakers. To some extent, a relationship existed, but we genuinely cannot say that it was entirely cordial because the royal father condemned many traditional practices.
“For instance, during the Obinrin Ojowu festival, which I usually coordinate, the custom is for the Awujale to meet with us at Itoro. However, Oba Adetona would not come around. For over five years, the royal father did not attend to the Alagemo; he wasn’t providing them with anything anymore.
“The Agemo masquerade last danced in Ijebu Ode in 2019. For the Obinrin Ojowu festival, which I coordinate, the royal father has also withdrawn his support for over three years. So, in all sincerity, the relationship with the traditionalists for some time now has not been cordial; there’s no denying that.”
He, however, debunked reports that soldiers chased the traditionalists away.
“The soldiers never actually chased the traditionalists away from the burial. Although I was not present—it’s a traditional taboo for me to see a corpse, so I wasn’t among those who went to the late Awujale’s residence—those who were there reported that it wasn’t the soldiers but rather some Muslims and other individuals who shouted at our people, telling them to “go away,” he said.
