
Oba Adedeji Gbadebo,the Owa Ooye of Okemesi Ekiti, says he has been fortified in a traditional way and kidnappers who dare him would have themselves to blame.
He expressed concern that some Yoruba traditional rulers have abandoned the African Science under the guise of embracing modern religion belief.
The monarch,who spoke at a press briefing ahead of the 2021 biennial Okemesi Cultural Festival,said the embarrassing attacks on monarchs had forced him to fortify himself like a warrior .
He said:” I move around like a warrior. No bandit or kidnapper can threaten me.Even if they are up to ten in number I will face them .Infant some of my subjects have also told me not to embarrass them by allowing myself to be molested by bandit .Attacks on Obas were disturbing. How could people be kidnapping or shooting a traditional ruler dead? I believe that going traditional to curb these senseless killings is not out of place.
“In the days of the old, there were wars and we had unique ways of fighting it and won. Some people don’t believe in it, because of religion has taken over and reduced our faith in traditional power.Some traditional rulers were saying that they can’t use charms to protect themselves, this is hypocrisy. We are custodians of tradition and not wasters. Why are we running away from our tradition? How can an Oba be killed or kidnapped like a chick? I find it appalling and difficult to believe.
“It is not only the Obas, all of us must work hard to protect ourselves. Our forebears believed in God. When did this insecurity start? Obas must get involved in tradition. Now I am happy that a lot of people are going back to that time of the old to defend themselves”, he added.
Oba Gbadebo emphasized the need to expose the town’s tourism potentialslike the Agbona Hill, the Fabunmi hall of fame and others to the outside world .
The traditional ruler implored the federal and state government to upgrade the festival to a national status .
“The Ladunwo , which was our agelong cultural heritage was being celebrated in secrecy before, but because we want to market to the world, we have relaxed the myth. Nigerians go to CUBA, Brazil and other Carribean countries to watch all these, why not here in Okemesi?
“Osun Osogbo, Argugu Fish Festival, Ojude Oba in Ijebu, Calabar National festival and many others are changing the economy of the nation and we want Ladunwo to gain recognition at the state and federal levels and even globally.
“We have established a website for the festival to advertise this ceremony to the world, because we are resolute to convert the culture to economic gains for our people and Ekiti State”.
He added that the town has been working with the Police, Amotekun corps , Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Oodua Peoples Congress and local hunters to monitor security situation for the safety of the tourists during the festival.