At a poignant memorial celebrating the life and enduring legacy of the 50th Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade (Olubuse II), renowned Harvard scholar, Professor Jacob Kehinde Olupona, delivered a stirring keynote address, urging Nigeria to look inward, to its traditional institutions, for profound answers to its persistent challenges of insecurity and national disunity.
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| His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ọjájá II) CFR with the family of the late Ooni, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, at the Ooni’s 10th Memorial Celebrations in Lagos |
The high-profile event, held at the Harbour Point in Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together an esteemed audience of royal dignitaries, state governors, prominent scholars, and passionate cultural enthusiasts.
Professor Olupona, a distinguished professor of African Religious Traditions at Harvard Divinity School and African and African American Studies at Harvard University, powerfully advocated for a comprehensive cultural and constitutional renaissance deeply rooted in the restoration of traditional authority.
Organised jointly by the Sijuwade family and the National Council of Traditional Rulers, the memorial celebration not only paid a fitting tribute to Oba Sijuwade's towering legacy but also spotlighted the enduring and critical relevance of traditional leadership within Nigeria’s complex sociopolitical framework.
Among the notable attendees were the incumbent Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; former Governors of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former Governors of Ekiti and Ondo States, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Olusegun Mimiko; former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosu; members of the royal Sijuwade lineage; and a multitude of traditional leaders from across the vast expanse of the country.
Professor Olupona offered heartfelt tributes to the late Ooni, fondly recalling a significant moment when he facilitated the revered monarch’s visit to Harvard for an international conference focused on Ifa spirituality.
This groundbreaking visit, Olupona emphasised, left an indelible impression on the Ivy League institution, powerfully underscoring the global importance and profound depth of Yoruba spiritual and cultural traditions.
Olupona’s central address revolved around a thought-provoking yet deeply reflective theme: "Unifying and Securing Nigeria’s Future Through Traditional Institutions."
He articulated a critical paradox: “In communities with kings and chiefs, ordinary people do not expect aberrations to occur. And yet, here we are, witnessing disorder, division, and insecurity, even where Obas, Emirs, and Obis reign.”
This perplexing situation, he argued, demands urgent attention and resolution, not through mere rhetoric, but through the active and deliberate restoration of the authority and relevance of traditional leadership in the governance of Nigeria.
Professor Olupona meticulously traced the historical erosion of traditional power to Nigeria’s post-colonial transition towards a modern democratic state, a transition that, he contended, regrettably failed to adequately integrate local rulership into its foundational constitutional framework.
“Traditional rulers were sidelined, relegated beneath local government chairpersons, and denied formal political voice.
“Yet for centuries, they governed justly, held moral sway, and kept peace among their people,” he explained, highlighting a critical historical misstep.
The Professor emphatically stressed that traditional institutions were never merely symbolic or ceremonial entities; they were, historically, the very bedrock of order, justice, and spiritual guidance within Nigerian societies.
A major thrust of Professor Olupona’s lecture was a compelling demand for constitutional recognition of traditional institutions.
He referenced a bill currently under debate in Nigeria’s National Assembly aimed at establishing a National Council of Traditional Rulers.
This proposed council, he asserted, should serve as a vital advisory body to the government on crucial matters of culture, public policy, and community development.
“This council must be more than decorative. It should be enshrined in the Constitution with clear roles and responsibilities, reflecting the soft cultural power that our kings, chiefs, and traditional leaders still wield,” Olupona urged.
Such reforms, he passionately argued, would not transform traditional rulers into “handmaidens of the state” but would, instead, empower them to act as true custodians of community values and unwavering champions of national unity.
Leveraging Cultural Heritage as Soft Power
Beyond constitutional amendments, Olupona passionately advocated for strategically leveraging Nigeria’s incredibly rich cultural heritage, its vibrant festivals, intricate rituals, and profound oral traditions, as a potent form of soft power capable of effectively bridging deep-seated ethnic divides.
He cited compelling examples such as the Iriji (New Yam Festival) and various other inter-ethnic celebrations that have historically fostered unity in an often-fractured nation.
“These festivals aren’t just cultural displays. They are political tools, rallying points for identity, memory, and cohesion. They must be protected, promoted, and elevated to national platforms,” he asserted.
The professor challenged Nigeria’s leaders to deeply consider how these invaluable cultural expressions could be made trans-regional, actively involving multiple ethnicities and thereby promoting unity from the deepest grassroots levels.
Perhaps the most intellectually intriguing portion of his lecture was the introduction of what he termed "civil religion”, a collective national identity forged not on the often-divisive grounds of politics or economics, but on shared narratives, unifying rituals, and powerful symbols.
“Civil religion is not about converting anyone. It’s about constructing a national mythology, a sense of belonging that transcends tribe, religion, and region.
“It’s what keeps nations like the U.S. or France together in times of crisis. Nigeria needs its own version,” he articulated, proposing a profound shift in national self-perception.
Professor Olupona did not shy away from offering constructive criticism to traditional rulers themselves, some of whom, he observed, have “exchanged their thrones for stipends,” choosing silence over justice.
“Our thrones must once again become platforms of moral leadership. Not just arbiters of land disputes, but voices for justice, integrity, and national rebirth,” he posited, issuing a powerful call to action.
The professor invoked the solemn memory of young Nigerians who made the ultimate sacrifice during national service or while bravely striving to secure the democratic process, calling upon the country to do far more to commemorate such profound sacrifices.
Offering a compelling personal example, Olupona reminisced about his formative years at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where the names of residence halls honoured Nigeria’s revered founding fathers – Balewa, Akintola, and Akpabio, symbolising a grand vision of national unity that transcended ethnicity and history.
“This was Zik’s wisdom,” Olupona reflected, “to use even architecture and naming to build a collective memory.
“Today, we must find new ways to instill that same spirit in the hearts of our youth,” he added.
As he drew his impactful lecture to a close, Olupona left the audience with a powerful challenge: “Nigeria is not for the timid. It is not for those who admire from the shadows. It is for those ready to speak truth to power, to act as beacons of justice and hope. Our kings must reclaim that sacred role.”
He urged traditional leaders to embrace a higher moral ground, not merely as historical figures, but as dynamic, contemporary agents of national transformation.
In celebrating the multifaceted legacy of Oba Sijuwade, who throughout his illustrious reign was widely regarded as a crucial bridge-builder between tradition and modernity, Nigeria and the wider world, Olupona concluded with a profound statement: “Nigeria’s future lies not in abandoning its past, but in rediscovering it.
“If we can empower our traditional rulers once more, we can begin to see a Nigeria that is not only united and secure, but deeply at peace with its own soul.”
A constellation of Nigeria’s most revered traditional rulers, eminent scholars, distinguished statesmen, and dedicated cultural custodians converged to honour the late 50th Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, in a stirring tribute that seamlessly doubled as a profound reflection on the indispensable role of traditional institutions in modern nation-building.
The Dein of Agbor, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Benjamin Ikenchuku (Keagborekuzi I), offered a deeply personal and touching testimony.
“I grew up in the school of Sijuwade. He carried me in a way that taught me so much about Nigeria,” he declared with evident emotion.
The young monarch, famously crowned at the tender age of two and a half years old, lauded a powerful trio of influential kings: the late Ooni, the Emir of Kano, and the Oba of Benin, crediting them with profoundly shaping his worldview.
“These were men who moved this country forward in ways many don’t know,” he said, passionately urging continued respect and reverence for traditional rulers.
“This is Africa, not America or Europe. Our solutions are uniquely ours,” the monarch insisted, emphasising the indigenous nature of Nigeria's path forward.”
His heartfelt sentiments were strongly echoed by the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin, who shared a candid reflection on his own ideological transformation.
“Before I became a monarch, I detested the institution. But now I see it is a gift from God to serve in rural communities and shape humanity with our values,” he openly admitted, highlighting the transformative power of direct engagement with traditional roles.
The monarch wisely stated, “Power is transient. We must remember that leadership belongs to the people, and leaders who fail to consult them are doomed,” the Orangun cautioned, underscoring the critical importance of inclusive governance.
The Emir of Misau, Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman, lent a crucial northern perspective, eloquently describing traditional rulers as “the cement in the pavement of a fractured society.”
He underscored that while the political class often operates at a more superficial level, it is the traditional institution that quietly and effectively stabilises society at the grassroots.
“When things fall apart, it’s to the palaces they run. The traditional rulers are the true mobilisers of the people,” he noted, emphasising their foundational role in maintaining societal cohesion.
Veteran security chief, Colonel Lateef Kayode Are, vividly recalled the late Ooni’s crucial behind-the-scenes diplomacy in preventing national crises, particularly during the precarious political impasse between then-President Olusegun Obasanjo and the National Assembly in 2002.
“He was never partisan. His wisdom and counsel helped avert chaos more than once,” Are recalled, revealing the quiet but profound influence of the late monarch.
Publisher and cultural advocate Dele Momodu shared his deep admiration for the late monarch’s remarkable tolerance and profound humility.
“He had an aura that commanded respect. We need more such leaders today, tolerant, visionary, and unifying,” Momodu said.
He recounted a poignant moment when Ooni Sijuwade, at his birthday celebration, miraculously bridged a long-standing rift between two prominent Yoruba royal figures, calling it “a moment of profound grace.”
Representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Special Assistant (Technical), Professor Babatunde Bolaji Bernard delivered a warm goodwill message, eloquently extolling the late Ooni’s enduring legacy of peace and unity.
He particularly lauded the current Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, for diligently expanding on his predecessor’s visionary work, especially in the crucial areas of youth empowerment and cultural preservation.
In his message of profound appreciation, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, praised the late Ooni as a truly remarkable monarch who tirelessly promoted unity across the length and breadth of Nigeria and its vast diaspora.
“His reign symbolised peace, cultural preservation, and a bridge between governance and tradition,” he stated.
He also reaffirmed Lagos State’s unwavering commitment to supporting traditional institutions as invaluable partners in grassroots governance and the overarching pursuit of national unity.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, ably represented by ex-Osun State Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, described Oba Sijuwade as “a king of style, a king of substance, and above all, a king of structure.”
He highlighted the Ooni’s significant diplomatic influence in national politics and crucial regional peace-building efforts.
“He was not merely a custodian of tradition, but a bridge between the sacred and the secular, between palace halls and policy tables,” Obasanjo noted, underscoring the late monarch’s unique ability to transcend boundaries.
Obasanjo particularly praised the late monarch’s exceptional ability to engage heads of state and market women with equal ease and respect.
“He wore the Yoruba crown like a global citizen. That was his gift, the ability to speak with all and for all,” he added, emphasising Ooni Sijuwade's universal appeal.
Dr Kayode Fayemi, former Governor of Ekiti State, echoed these sentiments while also thoughtfully addressing the complexities inherent in integrating traditional leadership with Nigeria’s contemporary political structure.
“Cultural legitimacy remains critical in governance,” Fayemi asserted, highlighting the urgent need to respectfully involve traditional rulers in grassroots decision-making processes.
He acknowledged that while statutory processes have, in some instances, sidelined monarchs in the selection of successors, they unequivocally continue to hold vital, informal influence and moral authority within their respective communities.
The incumbent Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, graciously thanked the distinguished gathering for honouring his esteemed predecessor.
“He came, he saw, he conquered. We are all products of his impact,” the monarch said with deep reverence, encouraging everyone present to rise in a collective tribute to the late Ooni.
He described the memorial as a profound moment of gratitude and a powerful call for collective commitment to diligently preserving the invaluable legacy of royal leadership.
Ooni Ogunwusi also intimately recounted the closeness of his relationship with his predecessor and the profound influence he continues to feel to this day.
“This event would have been held in Ife,” he noted, “but the family decided on Lagos for ease and inclusivity,” the Ooni added, acknowledging the collaborative effort.
He lauded the strong spirit of family unity and the dedicated efforts of Oba Sijuwade’s children and friends in diligently preserving his enduring vision.
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