The Council of Chiefs in Owu kingdom Abeokuta, Ogun State on Thursday, said the kingdom doesn’t bury body of its late monarch, mutilated, contrary to the general belief that such practice exists in some part of Yorubaland.
The last Olowu of Owu, a first class stool, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu had joined his ancestors on December 12, 2021 at the age of 85 years.
The council on Wednesday announced commencement of late Oba Dosunmu’s burial rites, coming less than two weeks after Governor Dapo Abiodun assented to a controversial bill, regulating installation and burial rites of the deceased monarchs in the state.
Contrary to the age long belief that traditionalists take charge of the burial rites of monarchs, the new law empowers families to determine mode of the burial.
Traditionalists in the state have rejected the new legal framework and threatened to drag the state government to court.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday at the Olowu’s palace, the Jagunmolu of Owu , Chief Rotimi Olasode-Martins, who doubles as the Chairman, Planning Committee of the three day burial tagged ‘Celebration of Life, said a night of tribute in honour of the late monarch would hold on Friday (today) in Abeokuta.
Olasode-Martins said the activities were to celebrate the passing of their late monarch.
He explained that the committee, having got the approval of the Balogun of Owu Kingdom, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, had put together all the activities.
He added that an interdenominational service would equally be held on Saturday while a thanksgiving service comes up on Sunday at Mainland Baptist Church , Oke-Ago-Owu, Abeokuta.
While fielding questions from newsmen on the new Obas’ law in the state , the Akogun of Owu, Chief Ishola Akinsipo said “there is no problem with the law and what already exists.
In Owu, we don’t mutilate our monarch.
“And all these we were doing to protect our dead people. People take part of the body to do rituals, and you see nobody is more popular than Oba, so, if they take part of an Oba and use it, it will be effective and that is why our people are doing everything to protect our Obas,” Akinsipo said .
On the selection process for the emergence of new Olowu of Owu, Akinsipo said the selection process for the next monarch will commence after all the rites for the late Olowu have been completed.
He expressed optimism that before the end of the year, the new Olowu which will emerge from Otileta Ruling House.
The Oganla of Owu, Chief Johnson Olu-Fatoki eulogised late Oba Dosumu for being a symbol of unity.
He said “Baba (Olowu) was a symbol of unity. He enhanced the unity that existed between the three sections of Owu -Erunmu Owu, Apomu Owu and Oke Ago Owu.
“He will also be remembered for encouraging and installing coronet traditional rulers in Owu settlements in Egbaland. In fact, it was this bold step of his that spurred the Alake of Egbaland to begin installation of monarchs in Ake townships and villages. He will be sorely be missed by all”, Olu- Fatoki stated.
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