Yoruba monarchs who smoke, drink deserve no honour, says Alaafin

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, yesterday said Yoruba monarchs who club, smoke and drink do not deserve honours and should not be accorded any respect. Adeyemi stated this in Oyo town during the installation of the Fuji maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, as the Mayegun of Yorubaland.

Those present on the occasion were President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, represented by Babafemi Ojudu; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Soliu Adetunji; officials of the Oyo State government and government functionaries from other states in the South-West; traditional rulers and chiefs and leading Nollywood artistes, among others.

The Alaafin, while responding to the news making the rounds in the social media in reference to a statement credited to him as saying that after Wasiu’s coronation, he is no more expected to prostrate to some kings in the land, said: “I did not mean that he should disrespect the royal fathers. “He understands the culture and I am not saying that he should disrespect the culture. But kings who go about clubbing and drinking do not deserve any respect.”He said that gone were the days when Yoruba people were silent about the exploits of their own while they were being honoured in other lands.

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While making reference to the late but leading artistes such as IK Dairo, Haruna Ishola and many others who left with great impacts without commensurate honours, he said: “As we all know, there are three tiers of government. We have the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature. The media is regarded as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, and musicians are a vital part of the media.

“Through music, some of them criticised government excesses. A king who wants progress for his people should listen to good words of music that are deliberately picked to correct societal problems. I looked round and acknowledged the efforts of some of our musicians who are not just singing for the sake of it.

“For a long time, I have been documenting some of the works of our good musicians in Yorubaland. IK Dairo of blessed memories was honoured in the United Kingdom many years ago. Then, Sunny Ade was discovered. They called him King of Juju music. What we have done is to discover our own talents. The music of Wasiu is philosophical. It is time we honour our own. “I did not mean that Wasiu will not respect the culture after being installed. He will honour our kings but will not prostrate to kings who are ignoble. A king should not be drinking (alcohol) at clubs and in public places and a king should not smoke.”

Wasiu, in his address shortly after his coronation, said his installation meant additional responsibility to him. He said: “I give thanks to God almighty for deeming me fit. I thank Kabiyesi Alaafin and all our royal fathers for supporting me on this occasion. The responsibility that I am given is about the unity of Yoruba.

“The music part of me is on one side while the Mayegun part of me is another side. Henceforth, I stand for the interest of the Yoruba nation. “Eleven years ago when Kabiyesi first muted the idea of installing me with the title, he sent me back midway apparently so that I can go for more tutelage. He sent me to learn about more rudiments of life. I am better off today. I stand before everybody today and assure you of my readiness to play my roles diligently.”