Yoruba community in Ghana gives out chieftaincy titles

Royal splendour, the rich Yoruba culture and Ghanaian hospitality were in full display in Accra, last weekend, as the Yoruba community in Ghana honoured some members of its race from Nigeria.

His Royal Majesty, Oba of Yoruba in Ghana, Alh. Hamzat Peregrino Brimah VIII, conferred chieftaincy titles on 14 honourees. Among them is city businessman and former Nigerian lawmaker, Hon. Moshood Mustapha, who bagged the title of Oluomo of Yoruba in Ghana.

The Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo, represented by Vice President, Dr. Mahmoud Bawumia and the Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Femi Michael Abikoye, attended the ceremony, which held at the prestigious State House, Accra on Sunday January 18, 2020.

Foremost Yoruba monarch, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, led the royal train that included the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamoshi Esueoye II, the Olusin of Isanlu Isin, Oba Solomon Oloyede and the Olugbon of Orike-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao.

Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazak was at the head of a team that included current Federal lawmaker from Kwara, Hon. Abdulganiyu Olododo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Alh. Yinka Aluko, former Commissioner for Information, Kwara State, Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin, businessman, Mallam Mohammed Sidi, media chief, Mallam Nurudeen Abdulraheem and former Kwara State lawmaker, Hon. Adamu Sabi.

Vice President Bawumia acknowledged the contribution of Yoruba people to Ghana’s socio-economic development. He urged the Yoruba community to continue living in harmony with other tribes in the country.

Oba Adeyeye enjoined the Yoruba race worldwide to foster unity among themselves and congratulated the honourees “on behalf of all Yoruba tribe on earth.”

Oba Adeyeye took the audience back to18th Century, when there was nothing like Ghana or Nigeria, but just the black race living together in harmony and love.

He admonished the Yoruba race: “Yoruba as a tribe has had a long-standing historical connection with Ghana as one of the black tribes on earth. We are all one from the same source. I urge every one of you to continue seeing yourselves as brothers and sisters here in Ghana and anywhere we found ourselves in the world.

“We appreciate the government and all Ghanaians for their love and peaceful coexistence with Yorubas living on their land that brought about this historical event in the life time of Yoruba community in Ghana.

“I rejoice with all the recipients, most especially that popular Nigerian politician, Moshood Mustapha, who has been honoured as the Oluomo of Yoruba in Ghana.”

He urged the new chiefs “to continue the good behaviour and generosity that earned you these titles. We are proud of you as Yoruba.”

Giving historical background of Yoruba in Ghana and reason for honouring some individuals, His Royal Majesty, Oba Hamza Peregrino-Brimah VIII, said: “Present Yoruba are 5th generations of Yoruba in Ghana, and it is right time to honour some carefully selected individuals, who have contributed significantly to our community and Republic of Ghana in general.”