“If there were no history, humanity would lack the knowledge and understanding of past events, cultures and civilizations. We would not have the ability to learn from the past and make informed decisions for the future.”
The above quote from a school of thought clearly buttressed the point of the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan on the importance of documented history as pivotal to preserving the rich culture and pride of the people we are as Nigerians.
Oba Akinruntan, who spoke exclusively with Travelpulse and MICE in an interview in Ugbo, in Ondo State recently said “Our future, existence and ingenuity as Yoruba and Nigeria can only be preserved through right, authentic and documented history.
The Olugbo of Ugbo, who is passionate about history and how to preserve it for generation unborn, said there is a need to put things in right perspective for posterity sake, adding that history is the only identity that projects, preserves and protects the cultural dignity of the Yoruba.
He added that he will do everything as one of the genuine custodians of Yoruba history to see that the origin of his people, who they are and what they stand for are not eroded by oral history but stand the test of time and season.
According to Oba Akinruntan “I will tell you one thing today. Any history that does not have theoretical evidence is oral history. One thousand people can say it within 10 minutes, that’s oral history. Any history that was documented and you are saying it, people will believe you. That was exactly what happened with the Obas in Nigeria. Most of the history they told people, they never knew anything about it, they just said it.”
Knowing that without history, a society shares no common memory of where it has been, what its core values are, or what decisions of the past account for present circumstances, the Olugbo disclosed that “What I’m trying to say is that whatever you say, if there’s no written document to show it to the whole world, nobody speaks. That is what they are doing now to destroy the history of Ugbo. It is Ugbo, not Igbo.
“And the Ugbo left Ife to where we are today. Igbo did not truly come from Ife, and has nothing to do at Ile-Ife. Ife belongs to the Olugbo of Ugbo. Yes. I’m the father of every one of them. And I have evidence for that and I will quote two authorities for you now before you go.
“The first Yoruba history by Samuel Johnson. Started writing the history from 1897, page five, and he said, when Oduduwa arrived at Ife and he was wandering for three months in the woods before he come out.
“The second authority written by Oba Omo Noba the monarch of Benin, very rich in history. He wrote one, the title of that book, I Remain, Sir, Your Obedient Servant. Omo N’Oba Erediauwa, King Of Benin Erediauwa. Look at that. I have the two authority written Page 209 to page 210 And he said, I just sought it. He said, Ife belongs to Ugbo, you know we are very close to Okitipupa in Ilaje.”
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