I could remember when I was teen as my guards laid certain embargoes considered as taboo. My survival experience and sojourn equally exposed me to many don't which a typical Yoruba should uphold as convention. I have many colleagues who were in my shoe then. We were scared to keep palace at arm's length( away the palace) on the derogatory notion that all palaces are associated with rituals that may hinder the will and wish of it nearers.
Just like every young ones aspiring to be somebody from someone. The orientation was respected and guided. The stool, palace and its paraphernalia were seen as spiritually sacred against one's destiny. As wrong as it is, some still dance to the old tune till date while few palaces have upgraded to convince and condemn the perception.
Today, here in Iwo, her stool is a symbol of love, care, service and commitment to improve peoples standard. The ancient metropolitan is blessed with a king serving his land, devote his resources far than a youth corps member does "under the rain and in the sun".
When Iwo-Osogbo road was abandoned for about ten years, the singular effort of Oluwo reopened the route for Nigerians. Then, it was dry season. With crown on his dead, he did not only mobilized the required resources but also supervised its rehabilitation. Till date, Nigerians using the road pray for him.
WHY THE WET CROWN?
Yesterday, in our routine engagement for the last one week to ensure the federal road, Iwo-Ibadan expressway is manageable in this festive season, Oluwo, under the rain supervised the rehabilitation of the road. He contracted labourers who dug the culverts of the worst section to facilitate free the flood. The 2-side of the portion were decongested. The stationed flood conveniently flew, 50 tons of stone base and 5 loads of stones were used to fill the moribund Ejioku axis while potholes along were addressed. Not contented with the manageables, Oluwo is considering the application of concrete to ensure tentative functionality of the area.
Passengers, commercial drivers and residents in their hundreds were raining praises on the monarch. When it started rainy last night, the onlookers sought refuge in available places while Oluwo stayed under the flogging rain.
The watery crown was seen shining on Oluwo. He jettisoned appeals to stay off the rain. Such, to me, is an indication of father serving his subjects, Nigerians with all sincerity.
The purported assumption of kings don't engage in such an open work is restricted, at least to Oluwo of Iwo.
ALLI IBRAHEEM, THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO OLUWO
