Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, Chief R.A Adesanya has been warned to stop parading himself as an Oba in Ijebuland.
The warning was issued by Otunba Balogun of Ijebu, Chief Alade Shote through a letter dated May 12, 2020, which he personally signed.
In the letter, which was made available to the media, Chief Shote said that the entire people of Ijebu Land at home and abroad, Chiefs, Otunbas and members of Awujale Ruling Houses of Ijebu-Land “have all continued to watch in utter disbelief, embarrassment and agony on the behaviour, conduct, utterances of Chief R. A Adesanya, Olisa of Ijebu-Ode since his assumption of office in 1983.”
Chief Shote stressed that ever since, Chief R.A Adesanya as Olisa of Ijebu-Ode has tried to re-christen and re-designate his title as Royal Family title and that “he has made himself beaded crown and beaded ORIOGBOFO, wearing them as an Oba contrary to Ijebu custom and tradition, thus rewriting Ijebu history.“Unfortunately, Olisa R.A Adesanya forgot that many Obas in Ijebu Land have their own Olisa. For example, there is Olisa at Idowa, Ijebu-Igbo, Okun Owa, Erunwon etc.
“He however, failed to realize that the special status he enjoyed as Olisa of Ijebu-Ode was due and through the benevolence of Alaiyeluwa, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebu Land.
“He ignorantly forgot that the hand that gives can also take away and likewise that the hand that build can demolish.
“It is therefore our hope that the remaining six of the seven Olisa Chieftaincy families of Ijebu-Ode will immediately step in to save their family’s golden heritage from being destroyed by Olisa R.A Adesanya,” he said.
Chief Shote added in the letter that the actions, behaviour, statements and utterances of Chief R. A Adesanya constitute an abomination and consequently an infraction of Ogun State Chief’s law that carries a six months jail term without option of fine.
“The Olisa is a Chief and cannot in the wildest dream be an Oba. The saying in Ijebu is as follows, “Oba de Ade, Olisa de Aboro. What is Aboro?” It is a head gear, ankle ornament on the two legs and likewise on the wrist of the two hands.
“He has an IPAWO and not a walking stick. All these items are made in metal as Olisa can never use any beaded item as his paraphernalia of office,” he said.
The Chief then charged all the seven Olisa Chieftaincy families of Ijebu-Ode to “salvage their heritage before it is too late.”
