By Ayo Arowojolu
It was a fitting occasion for former Nigeria’s President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to bring back memories of the brickbats and the behind-the-scene manouverings which gave birth to the creation of Ogun State in 1976.
The event was the Annual Global Yoruba History and Heritage Celebration held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta.
The event was organized by the Foundation for the Preservation of Yoruba Culture and Heritage with the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Prof Saka Matemilola as keynote Speaker. Obasanjo was Chairman of the occasion.
Delving into the significance of history for exploits, Chief Obasanjo said without appropriate documentation of history, the ancient City of Abeokuta would have been robbed of its pride of place as capital of the gateway state.
Obasanjo who spoke extempore in Yoruba, emphasized on five pillars that have made the Yoruba race distinct, among them, history, name, culture, Oriki(panegyric), dress and food.
The former President went down memory lane: “Let me tell you one thing that happened in the past that history resolved for us. Murtala was my boss. I was his deputy. And we were warming up for state creation at that time.
“The Ijebus have gone far far ahead with their agitation. And it was like they were already winning. The Ijebus insisted the capital of the new state to be created must go to Ijebu-Ode or at worst Shagamu.
“I got ready for them using the instrumentality of history. At the chambers, I narrated how Abeokuta Province was the first to be created which had Ìjèbú under Abeokuta Province.
“I narrated how Ìjèbú Province was later carved out of Abeokuta Province. But the Ìjèbú Province had an Inferior Colonial Officer who was subordinate of the Officer in Abeokuta Province and that says a lot.
“What you have just heard is the power of history which, when properly marshalled, will always be the magic wand”.
Obasanjo appealed to yoruba traditional rulers to do everything within their powers to preserve the cultural heritage handed over by our forebears.
The annual event has as Convener, a legal luminary, Barrister K.A. Somoye.
The Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Arẹmu Gbadebo was represented at the occasion by the Apena of Egbaland, Chief Alani Bankole.
