Oshun Missing Treasure: We Are Investigating Allegations —Elebuibon
By Admin, January 8, 2019
The allegation that a certain statue of Osun Osogbo has been sold off is still ruling the airwaves, giving the public a cause to worry about the sanctity of the age-old custom. The Araba of Osogbo, Ifayemi Elebuibon, though reluctant to give details of the raging controversy, speaks with TUNDE BUSARI and declares that efforts are underway to resolve the matter.
Updated Jan 7, 2019
How did you feel hearing the controversy about the Osun statue allegedly sold off?
I think you don’t need to be told how I would feel on such issue. As my position in the town requires, such an issue is not a good development because Osogbo is long known as a town which promotes Yoruba cultural heritage. Do you think, the late German Ulli Bier decided to settle down in Osogbo for nothing? He came and saw attitude of Osogbo to its culture and embraced it. Apart from the annual Osun Osogbo festival, all other cultural festivals are held here the way they were held in the days of our ancestors. Do you also think the UNESCO didn’t have a reason to give the Osun grove official recognition among tourists’ destinations in the world? All these are telling you the position of Osogbo in international cultural promotion. So, it is not a good news story that the same Osun is being talked about in that way.
If you are disturbed as you just said, sir, you ought to have sought an audience with the Ataoja, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji over the matter because his name is involved. Did you?
You are right. As the Araba, I should not ignore the matter and act as if nothing happens. I went to the palace and held a meeting with the Ataoja. That meeting ended up throwing light on the matter.
What did the traditional ruler tell you during the meeting?
know what to say and when to say it. I don’t think this is the right time to divulge the details.
In few words, did he confirm the allegation or refute it?
Kabiyesi said there was no truth in the allegation. He said nobody sold the statue to anyone in Togo.
Why then was his name linked with the allegation?
All I can say is that Kabiyesi told me that there is no iota of truth in the allegation.
How do you mean and what are the functions of the Araba?
The Araba administers the town with traditional ruler. He is cultural and spiritual adviser to traditional ruler. For instance, when there is drought or any natural disaster in the town, traditional rulers send for the Araba who would find out the cause of the problem and solution to the problem. If there is need, Araba would assemble his fellow Ifa priests and give directive and also supervise the rites to perform to end the problem.
Osun Osogbo is about eight months away,don’t you think this incident would have an effect on it?
No, Osun Osogbo festival is now an international festival which foreign tourists look forward to attend every year. I don’t think this issue would remove anything from that standard. At the same time, we won’t allow it to go further to the extent of the fear you just raised.
How are you going to do that to stem the tide before the controversy do damage to the image of the festival?
Thank you, the elders of the town have waded into it now.
Are you one of the elders?
I was not a member before now. But the leader of the council, the Asiwaju of Osogbo, Pa Hammed Omidiran has brought me into the council.
Why do you think he brought you into the council?
He is in the best position to answer that question. But once your question is about my thinking, it could be because of my position as the Araba.
What are the efforts the council is making?
The efforts we are making are not for the public now. What is matter to us is result, and we are going to get the result sooner than expected.
Don’t you think that telling us the efforts would douse the tension generated by the issue?
I don’t think there is any tension over the matter. But if there is tension because of the social media factor, we are already making efforts to douse the tension.
Is the council talking to all involved in the allegation or conducting investigation into the matter?
When we are done with the assignment we give to ourselves, the public will get to know.
Did Ataoja tell you why he allegedly ejected the Iya Osun from the palace premises where she lived?
Ataoja told me that he did not eject the Iya Osun from the palace premises. He said there was no reason for him to eject the Iya Osun.
But Iya Osun is no more in the palace. Can you shed more light on this?
Kabiyesi said Iya Osun had no issue with him. He said it was the son of Iya Osun he sanctioned over certain attitude which is not right. He said after the sanction was issued, Iya Osun then said, if her son was ejected, she considered it as her own ejection. That was what happened, according to Kabiyesi, and I have no reason to doubt him.
Is it true that you have relocated to Ibadan?
(Laughing) Why would I relocate to Ibadan when I am the Araba of Osogboland? I am right here in Osogbo. What happens is that I have a small structure which I just completed at Elebu area in Ibadan. The place will save me hotel bill I used to incur. The residence will serve as my contact place for my clients in Ibadan and environs. I can tell you that I have more clients in Ibadan. So they deserve to have more access to me.
How would you assess the role of the media on the controversy?
Let me say the media is playing its own role as public watchdog. But I am not comfortable with the way social media is used to spread unsubstantiated news. I did not plan to speak on this matter because I don’t want the social media to misinterpret whatever I would say. I want the media to try as much as possible to find out fact from all angles to their stories. This will give all stakeholders free hearing.
I observe you have a reserved seat in Osun grove during the festival, what role does that confer on you?
Your observation is right. That section is reserved for the Araba and his members. The role we perform as you could observe is to pray for the Ataoja and also for the whole town. By Tribune
