Yoruba community in Enugu gets first Oba

The Yoruba community in Enugu State has unanimously selected Abdulazeez Adebayo as its new Oba. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Adebayo, who hails from Osun State, became the first-ever Oba of the community since the history of Yoruba living in Enugu State.

The new traditional ruler, who spoke during the community’s meeting, yesterday, in Enugu, said that eight states of Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos, Kogi and Kwara, made up the Yoruba community in Enugu. He said that Yoruba ethnic nationality in the state comprised Ibadan Progressive Union (IPU), Ede Descendants, and other unions.

“Today, the IPU decided to associate and join the Progressive Yoruba Community in Enugu State since what we have been yearning for many years – to have an Oba – has come true,” he said.

Adebayo said that the process of his selection entailed looking for somebody with a good record, good behavior, and who could take care of his people.

According to him, the person must also be trustworthy and ensure quality representation of Yoruba people in the state. The new monarch, while explaining how the clamour for Yoruba in Enugu to have an Oba started, said some people indicated interest in contesting for the position in 2018, adding that after the screening, a report about the aspirants was submitted to the Yoruba community.

“We lost about three persons in the process of waiting to choose who will be our Oba. “This is what the Yoruba elders saw and decided to bring a neutral person who is trusted and I was called upon to take the position.

“I came to Enugu in 1979 and since then, I have lived peacefully in the state,” he said. Adebayo appealed to other Yoruba not in the fold to join the community.

In his remarks, one of the aspirants, Valentine Adesina, noted that there had been a leadership tussle among the aspirants. He said: “We didn’t do any election but we considered certain criteria like age and character. At the end of the day, the elders came up with Adebayo.
“I decided to step down for him to move the community forward.”