Oba Adetunji Osho is the Alaye of Ode Remo, in Ogun State. The town recently celebrated the Lafose festival and the monarch took time to speak with The Interviewers Magazine about how he is working to preserve the cultural heritage of the town, as well as the significance of the festival. Excerpts:
Kabiyesi, how do you preserve the cultural heritage of the Ode-Remo in this modern age?
Preserving cultural heritage in the modern era involves digitising artifacts, documents, and traditions to ensure accessibility and longevity. Utilising technology for virtual tours, online archives, and educational resources can spread awareness and appreciation globally. Collaborating with communities, institutions, and governments to protect and restore historical sites and practices is crucial. Encouraging cultural exchange and supporting local artisans and traditions also fosters preservation efforts. I am so pleased to inform you that Ode-Remo has a multipurpose museum known as Ode-Remo Museum and Park, which was commissioned during my 10th anniversary on the throne in 2019.
Ode-Remo Museum and Park is a blend of innovation, collaboration, and community involvement to safeguarding our rich cultural heritage for future generations.
What is the significance of the Lafose festival and other cultural heritages in Ode-Remo?
The Lafose festival is a significant event that brings together all the people at home and in diaspora to celebrate and promote the cultural heritage through various activities such as traditional dances, music performances and varieties of masquerade displays. Lafose day festival also serves as a platform for families and friends to fraternise, hold meetings and enjoy local cuisines.
It’s a testament to the rich cultural traditions and unity of the people of Ode-Remo. It is managed by the ODE-REMO DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (ODC) under the authority of Alaye Ode who ensure its preservation through organized ceremonies and events. Other natural heritage sites are protected through community-based conservation efforts and tourism initiatives. This collaborative approach helps in the sustainable management of these valuable cultural and natural assets in Ode-Remo.
How do you ensure the continuation of traditional practices and customs in Ode-Remo?
Efforts to preserve traditional practices and customs in Ode-Remo include community-led initiatives, cultural education programs in schools, intergenerational knowledge sharing, and local festivals celebrating heritage; collaborations with cultural organisations, documentation of oral histories. That is why Ode Remo High School stole the show at the Inter-School Dialet Debate competition at the recently-concluded Remo Day Festival.
How do you think the history of Ode-Remo has shaped their values and worldview?
Ode-Remo, as a Yoruba community in Nigeria, has a rich cultural heritage that is deeply rooted in Yoruba traditions and customs. This history has contributed to Ode-Remo strong sense of identity, pride in our heritage, and the importance we placed on families, communities, and respect for elders.
Ode-Remo’s history is also marked by periods of migration, interactions with neighbouring communities, and the influence of external forces such as colonialism. These experiences have contributed to our resilience, adaptability, and openness to new ideas and perspectives. Additionally, my community’s history of conflict, conquest, and cooperation with other groups has shaped our approach to relationships, negotiations, and conflict resolutions.
Overall, the history of Ode-Remo has instilled in the community a sense of unity, solidarity, and cultural pride that continues to influence their values, norms, and social interactions.
What lessons can be learned from the experiences of our ancestors, and how can we apply them to our lives today?
From our ancestors, we learnt the power of collective strength in overcoming adversities and the importance of preserving cultural heritage. By embracing these lessons, we can foster solidarity, maintain a strong sense of identity, and honour the wisdom passed down to generations yet unborn paving the way for a more interconnected and resilient society we are today.
How do you balance traditional values with modernisation and progress?
This involves respecting our heritage while adapting to the changing times. It requires understanding the foundations that shaped us while embracing innovation for the future. By valuing the wisdom of the past and applying it thoughtfully to current challenges, we can create a harmonious blend of tradition and progress. Flexibility, open-mindedness, and a willingness to evolve are essential for navigating this delicate equilibrium, most especially when we are celebrating our annual Oro festival initiated by our ancestors. During this period women of different faiths are kept indoors, and we have been observing this festival for donkey years and it still conforms with the new age.
How do you address social issues such as poverty, inequality, and youth unemployment in the community?
In Ode-Remo I deployed the following methods — Education and skill-building programmes: I created an enabling environment to provide access to quality education and vocational training to help individuals acquire the necessary skills to secure employment and break the cycle of poverty. Also, job creation initiatives: I strongly support small businesses, entrepreneurship programs, and job placement services to create employment opportunities for unemployed individuals, whereby the youth will be employers of labour and not employees. Again, advocacy and policy change: I aggressively advocate for policies that address systemic issues contributing to poverty and inequality, such as affordable housing and social safety nets to help create a more equitable society, which attracted investors to build hostel accommodations for the students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic Saapade. Collaboration and partnership: I do not hesitate to collaborate with other organizations, government agencies, businesses, and community members to address social issues collectively that lead to more comprehensive and sustainable solutions.
What are the most significant challenges facing Ode-Remo today, and how are you addressing them?
Some of the significant challenges facing Ode-Remo today include, Infrastructure Development: Despite progress being made, there is still a need to improve on roads networks, electricity supply, and healthcare facilities in Ode-Remo. Education: There is a need to improve educational facilities and access to quality education to ensure the development of the community and its residents. Security: I’m so glad to state that security network in Ode-Remo has rapidly improved due to collaborative understanding with the government.
What role does the Alaye play in promoting peace and conflict resolution in Ode Remo?
Alaye Ode as the prescribed of authority, plays a crucial role in promoting peace and conflict resolution. As the traditional head of the community, Alaye ode is regarded as the custodian of peace and unity. The king serves as a mediator in resolving disputes and conflicts within the community.
He plays a key role in arbitrating disagreements between individuals, families, or groups, and works towards finding peaceful solutions to conflicts. To achieving this fate I set up “Alternate Dispute Resolution Panel” which has become a reference point in Remoland and Ogun State in general. I also promote a sense of harmony and cooperation among community members, fostering a peaceful and stable environment in Ode-Remo.
Kabiyesi, what advice would you give to young people who aspire to leadership positions in their communities?
As a king, I would advise young people aspiring to leadership positions in their communities to first focus on building their character and integrity. Leadership is more than just holding a position of authority; it requires integrity, humility, and a genuine desire to serve others.
I would encourage the youths to seek out opportunities to learn and grow, whether through education, mentorship, or hands-on experience. It’s important to be open to feedback, to be willing to listen to different perspectives, and to continually strive for self-improvement. I would also urge them to be compassionate and empathetic leaders, to always consider the well-being of those they serve, and to lead with fairness and transparency. Finally, I would remind them that true leadership is not about power or prestige, but about making a positive impact in the lives of others.
The sponsors of this segment on Community and Culture of Ode Remo, is Mr. Ganiu Bakare (Gabak). Special thanks to Prince Gbemisola Obadeyi scp, cpa, Ipc, Aigpcm, Chief of Sta ff to Alaye Ode of Ode-Remo, Alhaji Olomowewe, Baajiki of Ode Remo, Otunba Samson Tai Agbaje and Mr. Joseph Mayowa Olubodun.
