Popular Ekiti Traditionalist, Orisamika Wants Government’s Approval To Fortify Security Personnels Against Armed Robbers, Kidnappers

.. Announces Commencement Of Odundun Asoayedero’s Week

… Expresses Worry Over Yoruba Tradition Going Into Extinction 

Advertisement

By Joseph Sunday 

A popular traditionalist in Ekiti State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Jacob Orisamika has expressed his desire to get government’s approval to fortify the security personnels in the State and the Country at large against armed robbers and kidnappers in the Country.

Oba Jacob Orisamika made the above request while addressing a press conference to herald the activities marking the 2024 Odundun Asoayedero celebrations which was held at the NUJ Press Centre at Oke-bareke in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State on Wednesday morning. 

Advertisement

According to one of the major traditionalists in Yoruba land, Oba Orisamika stated that his major concern is to see an end to insecurity in the country, hence his decision to seek government’s approval to fortify the security men against kidnappers and arm robbers.

Oba Jacob Orisamika in his determination to see an end to insecurity in Ekiti State and Nigeria at large, expressed his readiness to fortify the Nigeria Security personnels to be able to contend with security threats in the Country.

Oba Orisamika specifically used the opportunity of the press conference to request that “in each town, he would need just 10 boys, that he will empower with juju, so that even if they pour acid on them, cut them with cutlass, or shoot them with gun, it will not penetrate or affect them”. 

Defending his choice for local boys, he said, “Police should not be in the Office, but in the bush. Some of the soldiers who are on the road, we need them in the bush. Imagine an officer coming from Abuja to arrest a person in Ekiti where did he not know?”.

Also, the Ekiti State Traditional Worshippers unveiled its 2024 spiritual engagement tagged “Odundun Asoayedero 2024” programme aimed at  seeking the face of the gods for the state and the country at large.

“Odundun Asoayedero 2024 is a popular traditional programme that I inherit from my father and I have been maintaining this culture. We are doing this to pray for our town, the country and the Yoruba at large. 

Advertisement

“The gods will tell us what to do, the cloth we have to wear or food we eat, when we consult and celebrated the Odundun Asoayedero event. 

“Many of these pastors have oracle they are serving, they will not tell you to go and meet herbalist but they know the solution. In the olden days, we don’t kill human for anything, we use rat or other animal.

According to him the programme starts from 20th March which is the worship of the idol; 21st March for Ifa worship; 22nd of March for Osun and Aje Worship and the 23rd March for the main ceremony which is the coronation of OluIsese Ile Yoruba at the Oranmiyan avenue in Odo Araromi, Ekiti State. 

Responding to further questions during the press conference, Oba Orisamika explained that the Yoruba traditional culture is very important, because the religion we are serving now is a borrowed religion. 

Advertisement

“Our religion is culture and traditional, if we uphold our culture, I believe things will be fine, and we need to extend this to our children, to prostrate or bend to greet us because today, some of our children can not speak Yoruba or greet us.”

He also queried the rationale behind the Ekiti State Government appointing a non-traditionalist to head the Traditional Medicine Board in the State. 

He called for a review of the practice where it is only the Christians and Muslims prayers that are observed on the radio and television stations. He described such development as an unfair treatment to the Yoruba traditional worshippers in the State. 

Advertisement

Citing examples, he said, “in schools, Muslims come with Tasbih, the christian comes with their rosary, but when it comes to the traditional worshippers, they are ignored and not reckoned with. 

“In the morning, radios start with Muslim and Christian prayers but our traditional religion cut off. Some persons are changing there names leading to a gradual extinction of the tradition”, he concluded. 

Advertisement