| Traditionalists will
see heaven before others
By BISI OLALEYE
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
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• Opeluwa of Lagos
Photo: Sun News Publishing |
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Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, Opeoluwa Onido of Lagos (Olori
Ogalade) recently said that traditionalists would first see
the kingdom of God before other religious faithful.
According to him, the reason is simply because of the unusual
sincerity exhibited by them, which is lacking in other religious
faithfuls.
Ajose, who spoke with Daily Sun after his 10th coronation
anniversary, held at his Opeoluwa palace, Ilogbo, Ebute-Metta,
Lagos, explained, among other things, the importance of the
title of Opeoluwa to the throne as well as why it is necessary
to offer sacrifices to appease the gods of his ancestors.
Excerpts:
I used to be a transporter before the Opeoluwa Onido of Lagos
title was conferred on me. The office of Opeoluwa Onido of
Lagos is that of the high chief priest. Our ancestors, like
Osa-Elegba, Ogun, Osun, Lalu and others have to be honoured
and appeased through different sacrifices, in order to ensure
that peace reigns everywhere in the country.
Even the Oba of Lagos knows the importance of the Opeoluwa
and no matter what happens, the Oba has to call on us when
he needs assistance. I am only the high priest, we are about
16 in this category, we have the Opeoluwa, the title that
I hold; Obanikoro, Onimole of Lagos, Alagbeji of Lagos and
others like that. We are not related to the throne but we
are the traditional rulers.
10th anniversary of coronation
I thank God Almighty for giving me the opportunity to hold
the title for the past 10 years. Before now, I know how Lagos
used to be and now there’s a great positive change in
the state. Though, how I met Lagos was not as bad but today,
I know that everybody has a different good story to tell.
Traditionalist
Before becoming the Opeoluwa of Lagos, I was a traditionalist
and believed in God. So, I can say that I am happy being a
traditionalist. The mistake many people make is that, they
believe that traditionalists are sinners, who do not believe
in God. It is not true and I can authoritatively tell you
that all traditionalists believe so much in God. Anyone who
does not believe in God always have one problem or the other,
especially lacking in God’s peace. God is always with
traditionalists.
Perception of God
God is great and good every time. Each time, I ask God for
something, He is ever faithful to do it. He is the Almighty
father. No one can battle with Him without getting destroyed.
He is the ancient of days, a listener to everyone of us, irrespective
of religion. If you are on the right track, you will get God’s
back up. He is right channel of direction, without Him, nothing
is created. That is God for you.
Heaven/Hell
Even as a traditionalist, I believe that there is heaven and
hell. Whether you spend a thousand years on earth or less,
there is always a day that you have to go back home to give
account of what you have done here on earth. Let me also include
that whatever one does will always follow one. I believe that
evil will follow evil doers just as good things will follow
people who are doing good.
Difference among Islam, Christianity and traditionalists
Traditionalists are more sincere people. Why I am saying this
is simply because, if a traditionalist says this is black,
one would meet it black. And if it is white, one would still
meet it white. The reason is because traditionalists’
reverence for different gods because any contrary behaviour
like lies always have a drastic repercussion.
I don’t criticize any religion but I strongly believe
in my own mode of worship. No one knows tomorrow, and for
anyone to say that traditionalists would go to hell, I see
that as nonsense. No one know tomorrow and as long as I know
that I am being sincere in what I profess, I need not to nurse
any fear.
Anniversary
The celebration is all about praising God on being on the
Opeoluwa hot seat for the past 10 years. That is why, it is
a week long programme to mark the coronation celebration,
which also depicts our cultural values. These things are passed
from our ancestors to us. It is a pity that many of us are
fast forgetting traditional norms and our cultural values,
owing to different foreign beliefs. For me, I believe that
one’s mind should be one’s salvation. Some times,
religious people become hypocritical all in the name of religion.
Don’t be surprised that traditionalists may enter heaven
before a Christian or Muslim faithful.
The way we offer our sacrifices may not necessarily be in
the form of zakat or tithe. Whatever we do, may be in form
of ‘sara’ (alms). We pray to God for guidance
and protection through offering of sacrifices to the gods
of our fathers.
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