Kunle Adelabu
The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, has further reiterated the need to grant royal fathers constitutional roles and power.
Oba Kasali, who has been clamouring for this position which is also popular among many traditional rulers, restated the position while intervening in the dispute concerning the overall headship of the Lantan Onanusi family of Igbogbo that was brought before him and his chiefs last week.
The royal father, while appealing to the members of the family, also charged them to embrace peace and accept the intervention of the palace which he said will not be different from what any judge will give as judgement if the matter is charged to court.
“You are all gathered here today over the family dispute within your family and this is one of the reasons palaces are functioning”, the royal father said.
“We have been clamouring for constitutional roles for the traditional institution because we have very important roles to play in community development and governance.
“Obas have crucial roles to play. There had been a period when Obas were members of the House of Chiefs during the pre – independent era and they were involved in governance. This is how important the traditional institution is.
“Whatever that we say has the backing of law and whatever verdict that we deliver here will not be different from what any judge will pronounce on the matter”, Oba Kasali said.
While appealing to members of the family to desist from promoting chaos, he also urged them to ensure that they resolve their differences amicably and promote unity.
“You must all remember that you are a family irrespective of your differences are or what is happening now.
“It is important that you work together as a family, that’s the only means of promoting cooperation and peaceful co – existence”.
The royal father deplored a situation where a section of the family went against the directive of the palace and installed another member of the family as the Olootu (family head) rather than seek peaceful resolution within the family as advised by the palace.
Oba Kasali also charged the youths of the family to start taking responsibility for their actions and be good ambassadors instead of allowing themselves to be used as agents of destabilization.
The traditional ruler further charged the three branches of Lantan Onanusi – Saaogun, Amoju and Jorobiogun, to go back to their family and settle the matter amicably and come back to the palace to give a positive report.
He also asked the aggrieved section of the family to move closer to High Chief Onasanya, the Odofin of Igbogbo, and also get more involved in the activities of the family.
“I also want to implore you to move closer to Oloye (Chief Onasanya) and allow him to get close to you as well.
“You must also be actively involved in the family’s matters and activities. That is the only way to know what are happening within the family”, Oba Kasali charged.
