Headlines
Traditional Oyo Rulers are commanded by Obasanjo to stand up and greet him
He claims that doing this will allow the Omoluabi tradition to be preserved.
Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president, ordered certain traditional leaders to get up and meet him on Friday, reinforcing the constitutional primacy of elected officials.
The commissioning of the 34.85 km Oyo-Iseyin Road and the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology’s Iseyin Campus, which houses the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources, was the occasion for Obasanjo’s issuance of this directive.
The former president, who spoke in Yoruba, emphasised that it was vital for people to respect elders and those in positions of authority despite the traditional rulers’ status.
He claims that by doing this, the Yoruba Omoluabi tradition will be able to be preserved.
“I’m grateful. Please take a seat. I greet all of the kings and princes present and I am grateful that you are here,” he remarked. But let me be clear: even the royal father must get up to show respect for the president (or the governor) whenever they are present.
“Rise up! You are welcome to sit down. Please!!!” He gave the order.
The statesman declared, “In our (Yoruba) culture, we value age and rank above all else. Given that he is still governor, the governor’s position is superior to any monarch’s.
He added that it is essential to promote culture and value systems and that, even as president, he respects traditional leaders.
From 1976 to 1979, the retired military officer led Nigeria as its head of state. From 1999 until 2007, he presided as its president.