51ST OONI: How Giesi ruling house came tops.
Story by Edward Jaleyemi/Edwardjaleyemi.blogspot.com.ng
The culture of Ile-Ife does not allow long vacancy for the stool of Ooni. The Ooni is the symbol of Yoruba race, so a long vacuum should not be created after the demise of an Ooni. The custom and culture do not allow long interregnum in Ile-Ife.
In 1980 when Oba Adesoji Aderemi passed on, it only took two months before a new traditional ruler in person of Prince Okunade Sijuwade emerged. Oba Aderemi died on July 2, 1980 and Oba Sijuwade was crowned in September of the same year.
To buttress this, the dust has now settled on which of the ruling houses would produce the 51st Ooni of Ife.
There are laws governing the selection of the Ooni of Ife and the 1980 Ife chieftaincy declaration will be relied upon to choose the next monarch.
After due consideration, the Giesi ruling house received a letter from the Osun State Government to make the list of its eligible princes available.
The Osun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, which is mandated to handle chieftaincy matters got the go-ahead from Governor Rauf Aregbesola, to commence the process of filling the stool, a reliable source told Vanguard.
This led to the Giesi Ruling House being asked to present its nominees.
Also, the state government maintained that it would not entertain or consider candidates from other ruling houses for the stool, hinging its resolutions on the 1979 and 1980 Ife Chieftaincy Declaration which allows for rotational ascendancy to the throne among the four ruling houses.
The Giesi Ruling House has the privilege to produce the next occupant of the stool.
According to historians, Olofin Oduduwa, the first Ooni Ife, had many children who reigned after his death.
After his demise, one of his descendants, Oranmiyan, took over after which Lajamisan occupied the stool. In addition, one of Lajamisan’s children, Lajodogun, succeeded him as an Ooni.
Lajodogu is noted to be the ancestral father of Lafogido, Ogboru, Giesi and Osinkola which are the four ruling houses at Ile Ife.
These descendants have reigned at Ile-Ife for the past four hundred years and they produced the last 24 Ooni’s.
With the Giesi ruling house getting ready to produce one of its princes to emerge the next Ooni, Vanguard here produces the laws that would guide the kingmakers in the choice of the Ife monarch.
With this development, the ambition of princes from the Ogboru, Lafogido and Osinkola Ruling Houses has been laid to rest.
Rejected 1957 declaration on rotation
Before the choice of the Giesi Ruling House to produce the next Ooni, the Lafogido and Osinkola Ruling Houses had kicked against the declaration on rotation of the stool citing irregularities in the 1957 declaration on rotation of the stool.
By virtue of the 1957 Declaration registered on the 7th day of June, Giesi Ruling House conceded her turn in favour of the Ogboru Ruling House ( which consequently produced the late Ooni Okunade Sijuwade in 1980).
This also led to the emergence of the 1977 Declaration with the order of rotation. Aside from being incorrect, misleading and tended to pave the way for rotational manipulation, it openly negates the well-accepted rotation and flagrantly offends the tradition.
During the reign of the 49th Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, there was a proclamation setting up the ruling houses in an orderly manner.
It was proclaimed that the Osinkola ruling house was to be the first to occupy the seat, followed by Giesi and then Ogboru Ruling House.
To buttress this, the dust has now settled on which of the ruling houses would produce the 51st Ooni of Ife.
There are laws governing the selection of the Ooni of Ife and the 1980 Ife chieftaincy declaration will be relied upon to choose the next monarch.
After due consideration, the Giesi ruling house received a letter from the Osun State Government to make the list of its eligible princes available.
The Osun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, which is mandated to handle chieftaincy matters got the go-ahead from Governor Rauf Aregbesola, to commence the process of filling the stool, a reliable source told Vanguard.
This led to the Giesi Ruling House being asked to present its nominees.
Also, the state government maintained that it would not entertain or consider candidates from other ruling houses for the stool, hinging its resolutions on the 1979 and 1980 Ife Chieftaincy Declaration which allows for rotational ascendancy to the throne among the four ruling houses.
The Giesi Ruling House has the privilege to produce the next occupant of the stool.
According to historians, Olofin Oduduwa, the first Ooni Ife, had many children who reigned after his death.
After his demise, one of his descendants, Oranmiyan, took over after which Lajamisan occupied the stool. In addition, one of Lajamisan’s children, Lajodogun, succeeded him as an Ooni.
Lajodogu is noted to be the ancestral father of Lafogido, Ogboru, Giesi and Osinkola which are the four ruling houses at Ile Ife.
These descendants have reigned at Ile-Ife for the past four hundred years and they produced the last 24 Ooni’s.
With the Giesi ruling house getting ready to produce one of its princes to emerge the next Ooni, Vanguard here produces the laws that would guide the kingmakers in the choice of the Ife monarch.
With this development, the ambition of princes from the Ogboru, Lafogido and Osinkola Ruling Houses has been laid to rest.
Rejected 1957 declaration on rotation
Before the choice of the Giesi Ruling House to produce the next Ooni, the Lafogido and Osinkola Ruling Houses had kicked against the declaration on rotation of the stool citing irregularities in the 1957 declaration on rotation of the stool.
By virtue of the 1957 Declaration registered on the 7th day of June, Giesi Ruling House conceded her turn in favour of the Ogboru Ruling House ( which consequently produced the late Ooni Okunade Sijuwade in 1980).
This also led to the emergence of the 1977 Declaration with the order of rotation. Aside from being incorrect, misleading and tended to pave the way for rotational manipulation, it openly negates the well-accepted rotation and flagrantly offends the tradition.
During the reign of the 49th Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, there was a proclamation setting up the ruling houses in an orderly manner.
It was proclaimed that the Osinkola ruling house was to be the first to occupy the seat, followed by Giesi and then Ogboru Ruling House.
Four ruling
houses
houses
Unfortunately, Oba Aderemi was not comfortable with the proclamation as he maintained that the law was defective.
The declaration made under section 4 (2) of the Chief Law of 1957 Customary Law regulating the selection the Ooni of Ife, was made on September 14, 1979; approved on January 20, 1980 and registered on January 26, 1980.
The declaration reads in part: “There are four ruling houses, which have the right to provide candidate for the Ooni chieftaincy, and the identity of each of such ruling houses and order of rotation is as follows: Osinkola House – which produced late Oba Aderemi; Ogboru House which produced Oba Sijuwade Okunade II; Giesi House and Lafogido House.
The declaration made under section 4 (2) of the Chief Law of 1957 Customary Law regulating the selection the Ooni of Ife, was made on September 14, 1979; approved on January 20, 1980 and registered on January 26, 1980.
The declaration reads in part: “There are four ruling houses, which have the right to provide candidate for the Ooni chieftaincy, and the identity of each of such ruling houses and order of rotation is as follows: Osinkola House – which produced late Oba Aderemi; Ogboru House which produced Oba Sijuwade Okunade II; Giesi House and Lafogido House.
Section 4 (2) of the Chief Law of 1957 Customary Law regulating the selection of Ooni of Ife provides for the rotation of the stool among the ruling houses.
According to the law: “The family which turn is to provide a candidate shall be invited in writing to present their candidate or candidates from among whom the kingmakers shall select the most suitable person.”
Jemibewon Declaration: In 1976, when Major-General David Jemibewon (retd) was military governor of Oyo State, a Commission of Enquiry was set up to look into the Ooni stool dispute. The said declaration, which was a review of the 1957 declaration, was gazetted in 1977 by the government of the old Oyo State.
The Commission, led by a retired Supreme Court Justice, Justice Adenekan Ademola, came up with recommendations which changed the declaration of 1957. That declaration led to Ogboru Ruling House coming to the throne.
1980 Ife Chieftaincy Declaration: Deriving its power from the Ife Chieftaincy Declaration of 1980, the kingmakers of the town will ensure the process of selection of the next monarch goes on smoothly.
The chieftaincy declaration of 1980 shows that it was the turn of the Giesi ruling house to present the Ooni of Ife after Oba Adesoji Aderemi but their attempts to get to the throne failed.
Already, a letter had been written to the Giesi family to forward its candidates, which has been done.
Head of the kingmakers, who also doubles as the Obalufe of Ife, Oba Folorunso Omisakin explained that the selection would be done according to the order of the Ooni Chieftaincy Declaration of 1980.
The declaration of the Kingmakers was long awaited after candidates from other ruling houses, including Ogboru Ruling House, which produced the immediate-past Ooni, began to agitate for the stool.
The Obalufe noted that it was the turn of the Giesi Ruling Houseto produce the Ooni, urging the other ruling houses to wait for their turn.
According to the law: “The family which turn is to provide a candidate shall be invited in writing to present their candidate or candidates from among whom the kingmakers shall select the most suitable person.”
Jemibewon Declaration: In 1976, when Major-General David Jemibewon (retd) was military governor of Oyo State, a Commission of Enquiry was set up to look into the Ooni stool dispute. The said declaration, which was a review of the 1957 declaration, was gazetted in 1977 by the government of the old Oyo State.
The Commission, led by a retired Supreme Court Justice, Justice Adenekan Ademola, came up with recommendations which changed the declaration of 1957. That declaration led to Ogboru Ruling House coming to the throne.
1980 Ife Chieftaincy Declaration: Deriving its power from the Ife Chieftaincy Declaration of 1980, the kingmakers of the town will ensure the process of selection of the next monarch goes on smoothly.
The chieftaincy declaration of 1980 shows that it was the turn of the Giesi ruling house to present the Ooni of Ife after Oba Adesoji Aderemi but their attempts to get to the throne failed.
Already, a letter had been written to the Giesi family to forward its candidates, which has been done.
Head of the kingmakers, who also doubles as the Obalufe of Ife, Oba Folorunso Omisakin explained that the selection would be done according to the order of the Ooni Chieftaincy Declaration of 1980.
The declaration of the Kingmakers was long awaited after candidates from other ruling houses, including Ogboru Ruling House, which produced the immediate-past Ooni, began to agitate for the stool.
The Obalufe noted that it was the turn of the Giesi Ruling Houseto produce the Ooni, urging the other ruling houses to wait for their turn.
Ruling
houses
houses
“We, the 16 traditional rulers making up kingmakers according to Ife traditional rules and customs, hereby unanimously declare and affirm and confirm that 1980 Ife Chieftaincy Declaration is the one in existence now and we affirm as follows.
“Section 19, Sub section a (3) (says) that it is the turn of the Giesi Ruling House to present a candidate/candidates for the vacant stool of the Ooni of Ife Chieftaincy.” Omisakin pleaded with the people of the town, as well as all religious bodies to maintain peace.
Council of Obas and Chiefs
The emergence of the next Ooni of Ife will go a long way in putting paid to the tussle over who becomes chairman of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in Osun State.
Already, some traditional rulers in the state are jostling to head the Council of Obas since the seat has been vacant with the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
The creation of Osun State elevated the Ooni of Ife as the permanent chairman of the council owing to the status of the stool.
In 2003, the Osun State Government inaugurated the reconstituted Council of Obas by appointing the Ooni of Ife as the permanent chairman of the Council.
The administration of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, which inaugurated the Obas Council had signed into law a bill tagged “Osun State of Nigeria Council of Obas (Recomposition) Law, 2003 as enacted by the state House of Assembly.
According to the composition of the new council, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, Owa Obokun of Ijesaland and Orangun of Ila became Deputy Chairmen.
Also, law states that the Ataoja of Osogbo, Timi of Ede, Oluwo of Iwo and Ogiyan of Ejigbo would be Vice Chairmen of the council.
Pre-requisite for a prince to be Ooni: The prince must come from the male lineage, that is the first condition, which is the most important one.
The Ooni is an institution and wealth is not a condition at all, because when you ascend the throne, wealth will automatically come. Ooni remains an institution and so will it be. The throne attracts wealth, so it is not necessary to have wealth before one emerges an Ooni.
Wealth is not an essential qualification for an aspirant to be considered suitable for the throne as the main objective is to select the best candidate.
“Section 19, Sub section a (3) (says) that it is the turn of the Giesi Ruling House to present a candidate/candidates for the vacant stool of the Ooni of Ife Chieftaincy.” Omisakin pleaded with the people of the town, as well as all religious bodies to maintain peace.
Council of Obas and Chiefs
The emergence of the next Ooni of Ife will go a long way in putting paid to the tussle over who becomes chairman of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in Osun State.
Already, some traditional rulers in the state are jostling to head the Council of Obas since the seat has been vacant with the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
The creation of Osun State elevated the Ooni of Ife as the permanent chairman of the council owing to the status of the stool.
In 2003, the Osun State Government inaugurated the reconstituted Council of Obas by appointing the Ooni of Ife as the permanent chairman of the Council.
The administration of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, which inaugurated the Obas Council had signed into law a bill tagged “Osun State of Nigeria Council of Obas (Recomposition) Law, 2003 as enacted by the state House of Assembly.
According to the composition of the new council, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, Owa Obokun of Ijesaland and Orangun of Ila became Deputy Chairmen.
Also, law states that the Ataoja of Osogbo, Timi of Ede, Oluwo of Iwo and Ogiyan of Ejigbo would be Vice Chairmen of the council.
Pre-requisite for a prince to be Ooni: The prince must come from the male lineage, that is the first condition, which is the most important one.
The Ooni is an institution and wealth is not a condition at all, because when you ascend the throne, wealth will automatically come. Ooni remains an institution and so will it be. The throne attracts wealth, so it is not necessary to have wealth before one emerges an Ooni.
Wealth is not an essential qualification for an aspirant to be considered suitable for the throne as the main objective is to select the best candidate.
Essential qualification
The qualities considered as most important are: integrity, generosity, humility and willingness to listen to advice and take counsel.
Gender is also an important qualification for the throne as only male contenders are eligible, even if consideration is being given to candidates from the female side of the lineage. Seniority is also not a factor al though the candidate must be at least about 30 years old at the time of ascending the throne and he should be married.
Neither is education a prescribed qualification although during the last two selections, education played a major factor for consideration of who ascends the throne.
Gender is also an important qualification for the throne as only male contenders are eligible, even if consideration is being given to candidates from the female side of the lineage. Seniority is also not a factor al though the candidate must be at least about 30 years old at the time of ascending the throne and he should be married.
Neither is education a prescribed qualification although during the last two selections, education played a major factor for consideration of who ascends the throne.
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