The first year of the 20th Olofin has heralded the dawn of a new era in Isheri.
The sights and sounds of the Oba Bamgbade’s first year on the throne are as refreshing as they stand out as unforgettable reference points in the annals of Isheri.
While the long list of traditional the rites served on the journey to the throne in line with Isheri’s age-long tradition rekindled the history of obaship; his installation, particularly the day he was presented with the staff of office, was an event that rolled out in unforgettable petals of captivating pageantry before the entire Isheri community and visitors.
In looking back at the last one year of his ascension to the throne, it is evident that lot of water has passed under the bridge of time. “My installation remains an unforgettable experience,” says Kabiyesi. “It is also refreshing to note that within this one year we have been able to bring on stream the Ileya Omo Olofin Day. It is on this platform that we visited Ile-Ife in our unrelenting efforts to renew and strengthen the royal and heritage ties to Ile-Ife.”
People were mobilized to also attend the Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife. The evolving re-union can is a renaissance that has the promise of helping in the preservation of the history and origin of the Awori who migrated centuries ago from Ile-Ife; the homestead of their progenitor Ogunfunminire, who led the voyage out of Ile-Ife and eventually settled at a location in the jungle now known as Isheri Olofin which history recognizes as the dispersal point to new settlements established by the people of Awori stock in different parts of Ogun and Lagos State.
And of course there are also the physical projects that had been embarked upon; “the most impressive,” in the words of Oba Bamgbade, “is the construction of Isheri Palace Road.”
NEW PALACE FOR THE OLOFIN
Building of a new palace is yet another giant stride of the first year on the throne. “live negotiated with my people on the need to build a new and more befitting palace for the Olofin of Isheri. I’ve been giving the go ahead to embark on the noble project. We have built houses to accommodate those being moved to create the needed space for the palace expansion project.”
It sure feels fulfilling, according to Kabiyesi, that” we have been able to reach an understanding on the need to relocate the families whose old houses have been affected to new buildings built for them. We appreciate their believe in us. The commitment shown has not only strengthened both family and communal bonds but also an expression of genuine desire to contribute to the collective task of building a new palace for the Olofin of Isheri. Their commitment had been shown by given up their abode. That, for me, is monumental and patriotic; a positive answer and response to communal call which was considered by all as very paramount in the challenging task of opening up Isheri for development.”
The construction of a new and more befitting palace for the Olofin is a project Oba Bamgbade considers as paramount, without necessarily moving the palace to another location. “I’m not a fan of relocating palaces for very obvious reasons,” he points out courtly in a manner that didn’t betray him as a monarch with a conviction rooted in the preservation of history and cherished heritage. “I’m the 20th Olofin of Isheri. The town has witnessed the reign of many Olofin who lived in this same palace. If we are relocating the palace, out of the heart of the town, are we going to relocate the late kings too? Relocating the palace to another area, for me, it is as good as uprooting our heritage which is an unpardonable desecration of a history which in the first place must be preserved.”
In rationalizing his stand, Oba Bamgbade posits thus: “If I relocate the palace to another place, would the people be able to effectively communicate with me as their king or effectively protect their heritage which is the palace? Would the people effectively participate in our traditional activities when the palace is relocated to the midst of people who are foreigners and non-indigenes? I submit strongly that it is better to leave the palace at its old location and try as much as we can to modernize it and make it more befitting.”
The location of the palace of the Olofin at the bank the Ogun River has a historical significance that cannot be traded away in the name of relocation. “The palace at the location it has been over the ages,” Oba Bamigbade explains, “has historical ties and significance. Olofin Ogunminire the progenitor of the Awori race came through same water all the way from Ile-Ife which explains why the palace was situated by the riverside.” Going down memory lane, Oba Bamgbade explains further that on getting to this particular location on the river’s bank in the course of his expenditure, Ogunfunminire and those on the sojourn with him decided to set up an abode rather than going further into the jungle ahead. The party climbed up and made the best of the situation by creating a new settlement to start a new life in a new environment. The new settlement was named ISA ERIN. The etymology captures the historical event that played out at the spot where an elephant was killed to provide meal. The elephant, a mighty animal that cannot be moved, was butchered and shared on the same spot it was killed by the expedition party led by Ogunfunrninire.
With time ISA ERIN (the spot at which an elephant was slaughtered) became known as ISHERI. The name stuck fittingly and the town has remained so identified ever since. Isheri is not just a name but the identify of a people who wear the badge of their beloved Isheri Olofin with pride; a name that has survived the vagaries of time to tell the tale of their forebears; the challenges and the triumphs recorded ever since it came into existence over the ages as the root and homestead of the Awori.
His royal highness holds the torch that illuminates the path from the past to the present and the future of Isheri Olofin. This tripod representing the past, the present and the future has largely shaped the vision behind the re-construction of the palace on the same spot it has always been since time immemorial. There is also the expansion angle to it that will make the edifice, when finished, to be a gem on the landscape of Isheri Olofin and an all encompassing structure complete with amenities beyond a conference hall; a library and a museum that will showcase the history of Isheri; the dispersal of Awori to different settlements away from the Isheri-Mole cradle and homeland. “It is gratifying,” explains Kabiyesi, “that our kindred who have moved on to create settlements in different parts of Lagos and Ogun State have remained proud royal ambassadors of the Awori race.”
Also coming on stream in Isheri is the development of the education space. “Efforts are being made, says Kabiyesi, II to build a secondary school and a vocational training centre in concert with the government of Ogun State and relevant stakeholders.” Obviously, going by Kabiyesi’s strides, he is unrelenting in his focused attention to raise the bar of enlightenment particularly amongst the youth of Isheri with the objective of making them see the enormous possibilities that abound.
Olori Oluwatosin Bamgabde has also ably played her role in Oba Bamgbade’s strides to uplift his beloved Isheri. Her support has been visible particularly with her input in the areas of empowerment and enlightenment with beneficiaries cutting across age brackets and sexes. Two empowerments programme have sponsored by the Olori recently.
–By Adeniyi Benson in Anniversary Memorabilia
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