By OYEWALE OYETUNDE
“The unity of this country should be of paramount concern to all, and one way of fostering our unity is to acknowledge, appreciate and celebrate our living heroes in spite of their nativity. For the Okere of Saki and his people, General Buratai is a son in whom they are well pleased.”
The ancient city of Saki was agog recently when a seemingly unusual event occurred in the kingdom. Unusual in the sense that it was the first of its kind ever in the history of Saki Kingdom to honour non-indigenes with honourary traditional chieftaincy titles.
The Okere of Saki Land, His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr.) Khalid Oyeniyi Olabisi Oyedepo III, in his wisdom deemed it fit to honour those due, in conformity with the ‘Omoluabi’ trait of the Yoruba people in acknowledging, and appreciating good deeds and gestures of people who love Saki and the Yoruba race, irrespective of who or where they hail from.
Two eminent Nigerians were thus honoured by the monarch and people of Saki Kingdom for their love, service and contributions to the development of Saki in particular and Yoruba nation as a whole.
The Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (Rtd), who was the former Chief of Army Staff, was honoured with the title of Jagunmolu of Saki Kingdom, and Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun was honoured with the title of Akinrogun of Saki Kingdom.
However, this landmark event has been grossly misunderstood in some quarters by people who seem to have reservations about this gesture, particularly the conferment of Jagunmolu of Saki Kingdom on the Kanuri-born General Buratai. It is for this reason that the Saki Royal Palace, in acknowledgment of these concerns, deems it fit and appropriate to set the records straight and correct the misconceptions in the public domain.
Setting the records straight, it must be frankly stated that the reservations expressed is borne out of ignorance of historical facts, and a lack of understanding of the ‘Omoluabi’ culture of the Yoruba. Historically, there is a strong affinity between the Kanuri people of the North East and Yoruba of the South West, right from pre-colonial era to date, which necessitated strong ties of family, career and business between people of the two nations. While some refer to oral tradition which has it that Yoruba and Kanuri were cousins, others point to the similarity of culture.
Also the Okere of Saki and the Paramount Ruler of Oke Ogun, whose territory spreads beyond the geographical boundary of Nigeria to some towns and villages within the Republic of Benin where Ambassador Burantai is representing Nigeria as head of his mission with many of his subjects spread across West African sub-region.
This is, however, normal when a reason to an action is not sought before a reaction is given. The acclaimed stranger to the land was not, by status, bestowed the title but rather on the ground of actualising dreams that were for a long time hanging in the mind of Saki dwellers. Saki had, for long, been yearning for the face of Federal Government on different projects yet it seemed the mouths praying are not enough until the mouth of Col. Gbenga Adegbola opened widely to solicit the help of Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai on projects. This effort brought about the establishment of Command Science Secondary School in Saki Land which is no doubt one of its kind in the whole of Oyo State.
Likewise, on the same effect was the initiation of special water system for Saki people at Saki City Hall and with the palace of Okere of Saki Land, which is undoubtedly a long dream actualised through the influence of these personalities in question. Should we say we are ungrateful for this course or the projects are not worth the hands of appreciation?
However, what is undeniably factual is the bond occasioned by business, career and marriage ties. Most especially politics the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s strong political ties with the North East that gave the United Part of Nigeria (UPN) upper hand in 1979 election, which later transformed to Alliance for Democracy (AD) era of Mala Kachalla and now All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Tinubu, Senator Kashim Shettima and Executive Governor Babagana Zulum.
For instance, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, a Kanuri-born diplomat and politician, is married to a Yoruba woman, and has ties with many Yoruba illustrious sons via his career in public service and politics. Just as Ambassador Buratai’s military career has enabled ties with many from all walks of life, including many Yorubas and traditional rulers.
This bond has engendered a mutually beneficial relationship that contributed to Saki’s development through personal efforts and sacrifices of General Buratai (Rtd). It is in recognition of these contributions that the Okere of Saki and his people decided to honour a man, whose landmark projects are visible in Saki and beyond, in appreciation of his numerous contributions to the kingdom.
Yoruba people have a culture of appreciating good deeds and gestures of people irrespective of race or colour. This is in tandem with the Omoluabi trait in our people. The unity of this country should be of paramount concern to all, and one way of fostering our unity is to acknowledge, appreciate and celebrate our living heroes in spite of their nativity. For the Okere of Saki and his people, General Buratai is a son in whom they are well pleased.
