Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, has condemned in strong terms the bombing and killing of people at Tudun Biri Village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State by the military, describing what termed as the military adventure as very unfortunate, sad and devastating, while also expressing the belief that there was need for citizens to appease the gods in order to forestall future disasters.
Iba Adams expressed this concern on Tuesday while speaking at the 2023 edition of Ogun Festival, which took place at Ikorodu Town Hall, Ikorodu, Lagos, saying that it was very unfortunate that such a grave military error could lead to the death of several people that were celebrating Maulud Nabiyy at the affected village in Kaduna State.
The Yoruba generalissimo, who spoke at the event attended by the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Sotobi; Baale of Omotoro town, Chief M. J. Yomi Odusoga, who is also the Chairman, Council of Baales, among others, maintained that there was the need to pacify the gods and the ancestors on the security situation of Nigeria, noting that the grave military error could not have occurred if the gods had been appeased in the spiritual realm as, according to him, they would have averted the unfortunate incident from happening.
“The military misadventure, bombing and killing of over 120 people at Tudun Biri Village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State was very sad and devastating.
“It was very unfortunate that such a grave military error could lead to the death of several people that were celebrating Maulud Nabiyy at Tudun Biri village.
“As much as I join other Nigerians to condemn the attack on innocent citizens of the village, I also believe that there is need for us to appease the gods in order to forestall future disasters.
“In my view, I think we need to pacify the gods and the ancestors on the security situation of Nigeria.
“The grave military error could not have occurred if we had appeased the gods in the spiritual realm.
“They would have averted the unfortunate incident. And such would not have happened in the real world,” Adams said.
Iba Adams, however, appealed to all traditional rulers in the South-West to look beyond the formality of their positions as the traditional rulers of their various communities, saying that there should rise to the occasion of the current security challenges “and see how they can help their towns and communities in seeking peace and progress of their towns and communities.”
According to him, stories of unexpected accidents, flooding and other bad omens can easily be curbed or avoided in Yoruba land and Nigeria as a whole through spiritual sacrifices and interventions, recalling that “in the olden days, our forefathers knew what to do in order to secure their communities against war and save themselves from unforseen crises and calamities that could lead to massive deaths.”
“Though, we are in the jet age with technology taken over all aspects of our lives, I still believe there is the need for us to seek spiritual method and intervention in solving those problems that have been the bane of our society,” he said.
Speaking on the day’s event, the Yoruba generalissimo said Ogun Festival was very important to the organization which he heads being “the last festival we celebrate in the year, describing Ogun as the god of Iron, a super warrior and the most powerful spirit of metal work.
He stated that Ogun, in Yoruba land, is the deity of smiths and craftsmen, and one behind all the technological discoveries and development in the world, adding: “Whatever tools we use from Iron are instruments and object of Ogun.”
This was just as he noted that Ogun, according to Yoruba history, was a very special deity from Ire, a town in the present Ekiti State, but quickly pointed out that the god of Iron is well and mostly celebrated in Ondo State.
“Today, Yoruba across the South-West region usually celebrate Ogun Festival in their respective towns and communities,” Iba Adams said.
The Yoruba generalissimo, however, took the opportunity of celebrating Ogun Festival to appeal to indigenes of Ikorodu to start celebrating Eluku Festival in a big way, describing Eluku as a prominent deity that needed to be celebrated in Ikorodu town.
“Going by the history of this town, indigenes of Ikorodu migrated from Sagamu. And they are also known as ‘omo Eluku Mede Mede.’
“From my findings, it is also revealing that Eluku was the ‘Minister of Defence’ in Sagamu in those days.
“And like the Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Eluku was in charge of security and defence of the entire Sagamu and its environs.
“Today, the people of Remo and other towns in the area still have Eluku shrines in their respective quarters.
“Even indigenes of Sagamu still offer sacrifices to Eluku deity to ensure effective security in the town,” he stated.
Adams posited that with such historical background and affinity, it was a thing of joy for all indigenes of Ikorodu to celebrate Eluku Festival, giving Ikorodu’s financial strengths and wherewithal to make this possible.
He further argued that by celebrating Eluku Festival in Ikorodu, the town would be peaceful and would also help in boosting the economy of the town, adding: “As the chief security officer of Sagamu in the olden days, Eluku deity will bolster the security of Ikorodu, restore the lost glory of the town and make Ikorodu the most prosperous town in Lagos State.”
“Finally, as we approach the end of the year, the economy is also biting harder.
“However, there is also need for us to go spiritual and seek the face of the most high God and that of our ancestors in solving this prolonged economic instability.
“It is a fact that a country that fails to seek spiritual solution to its social and economic problem will continue to remain stagnant in the face of difficulties and hardships,” Iba Adams counseled.
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