The Founder and Spiritual Head of Shafaudeen-In-Islam Worldwide, Professor Sabit Ariyo Olagoke JP, has called on Yoruba traditional rulers to foster unity and work collectively to preserve and revive Yoruba cultural values, particularly among children and young people.
Speaking at the grand honour day for the Olubadan’ of Ibadanland, Oba Senator Rashidi Ladoja ,Arusa I, during the annual international Ishrat conversation of the organization, Professor Olagoke urged Yoruba Obas to “close ranks,” lamenting the situation in which prominent traditional rulers and chiefs are at odds with one another.
“Yoruba Obas should close ranks. A situation where prominent traditional rulers and chiefs are at loggerheads with each other should stop. Where two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers,” he said.
He emphasised the historic role of traditional institutions and the enduring values of Yorubaland, adding that: “I have many things to do with those who are representing our ancestral fathers and the Obas. Yorubaland has a heritage of courage, boldness, discipline, thoroughbred dexterity, hard work and competence.”
According to him, cultural revival is essential for the present generation, nothing that: “For this particular generation, it is incumbent on us to go into cultural revival, into identifying with all these traits that made Sango to be Sango, Oranmiyan to be Oranmiyan.”
Professor Olagoke further stressed the need for unity among reigning monarchs, pointing out that: “The present Obas in Yorubaland need to close ranks. Agbẹ kì í wà l’ọjà kí orí ọmọ tuntun wó, that is what the Yoruba proverb says.”
“The situation whereby all these values remain eroded should be avoided. We need to revive all these good characteristics, respect for elders and for all the stools of the traditional rulers.”
He warned that the erosion of values posed a threat to the identity of the Yoruba people.
“There is a need to allow sanity to return amongst us, mainly because of the youth and the children that are growing. If we cannot raise them to imbibe all these good characters, it means they will eventually lose their identity, and the Yoruba as a nation will lose its identity equally.”
Highlighting his engagement with cultural institutions, he said: “My work among them is to ensure that we walk the talk of what we mean by culture, customs and tradition. Most of our children are graduates, how many of them can speak with the metaphors and similes (similitudes) of the Yorubas? Which means we are losing out gradually.”
He called for collective responsibility in safeguarding royal institutions.
“It is time we find ways to come together so that the institutions of the royal families remain a preserve of all this cultural heritage.”
Professor Olagoke also spoke on the complementary roles of culture, religion and education, stressing that: “Above all, my opportunity to taste the three phases of the existing life segments, atheism, Islamic religion, education and now culture, gives me the opportunity to realise that they are complementary. They are supposed to work together, just like science and religion.”
He added: “Today, culture and religion must work together because when you talk of informal education, that is culture. Informal education tells us about native intelligence. Both formal and informal education must work together.”
“Formal education talks about civility and charting your course into professional fields for you to be able to cope with the task of nation-building.”
At the event, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja Arusa I, was represented by the Aare Alasa of Ibadanland, Chief Muibi Ademola Odunade who conveyed the monarch’s royal blessings to the organisation and its members.
He apologised for the Olubadan’s absence, explaining that it was due to an official engagement at the Presidency in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
A day earlier, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade I, a former student of Professor Olagoke at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, described the Shafaudeen leader as “a great Islamic spiritual leader who is guided by Allah and committed to the welfare, progress and development of the members of the organisation and the entire country.”
The Alaafin gave his royal blessings to the organisation and prayed for longevity for the founder, Professor Sabit Ariyo Olagoke, adding that his attendance at the occasion provided an opportunity to appreciate Professor Olagoke for his support towards his accession to the throne.
The occasion also featured book launches, including The Bloodline: OgunElu Ancestry and Posterity DNA, Companionship in the Voyage of Life, Case of Arole OgunElu on Renaissance, and Life Cycle Voyage and Contemporary Issues.
Other activities included the presentation of an award to Professor Sabit Ariyo Olagoke JP by the National Association of Heads of Federal Establishments (NAFOHEADS), Oyo State chapter, as well as the investiture of Nation Builders’ Awards of Excellence on some distinguished Nigerians, among others.
