…sets to commence Odundun Asoayedero week
…says Yoruba tradition risks extinction
By Udesinanna Stephen
Amidst the clamour to end insecurity in the country a Renowned Ekiti Traditionalist, His Royal Highness, Oba Jacob Orisamika has sought government’s approval to fortify security men against kidnappers and armed robbers.
Orisamika made this known while addressing newsmen in Ado Ekiti.
According to him, the Nigeria security forces need to be spiritually prepared to engage the criminals, adding that he needs approval to fortify the Country’s Forces.
More so, he said, “In each town I need just 10 boys, I will empower them with juju, even if they use acid, cutlass, gun on them it can not enter them.
Defending his choice for local boys, he said, “Police should not be in the office but in the bush, some of the soldiers are in the road, we need them in the bush, imagine an officer coming from Abuja to arrest a person in Ekiti, where did he know?
Also, the Ekiti State Traditional Worshipper unveiled its 2024 spiritual engagement tagged “Odundun Asoayedero”, the programme is to seek the face of the gods for the state and national issues.
“Odundun Asoayedero 2024 is a popular traditional programme that I inherited from my father, I have been maintaining this culture; we are doing this to pray for our town, the country and Yoruba at large.
“The gods will tell us what to do, the clothes we have to wear or food we eat, many of these pastors have oracles they are serving, they will not tell you to go and meet herbalists but they know the solution. In the olden days we don’t kill humans for anything, we use rat or other animals, it is all these boys that don’t want to work that kill people.
According to him the programme starts from 20th March which is the worship of the idol; 21st Ifa worship; 22nd Osun and Aje Worship; 23rd main ceremony (coronation of Oluisese Ile Yoruba) at Oramiyan avenue Ode Araremi.
“This is a traditional culture that is very important, because the religion we are serving now is a borrowed religion, our religion is culture and traditional, if we uphold our culture I believe things will be fine, and we need to extend this to our children, to prostrate or bend to greet us. Today some of our children can not speak Yoruba or greet us.”
Claiming unfair treatment to the traditional worshipers he said, “In some schools Muslims come with Tasbih, the christian come with their rosary, but here if a traditional worshipper comes with his bead they will chase him. In the morning radios start with Muslim and Christian prayers but our traditional religion is cut off. Some persons are changing there names leading to a gradual extinction of the tradition.”