By Paul Sanusi
Oba-elect of Somolu-Bariga, Jagunmolu Gbolahan Akanbi Timson, has told members of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who bestowed their award on him that truth shall always prevail over falsehood.
Timson, who likened the delay in his installation as the monarch of Somolu-Bariga to what Chief Gani Fawehinmi went through before he was eventually conferred with the title of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), told NANS members last weekend, that the delay would soon become a past issue.
“In the days of our forefathers, before the coming of the Europeans, the Jagunmolu recalled, Ifa oracle, through divination, used to select one out of candidates vying for the throne,” he said.
According to him, whoever Ifa picked would be made to enter the Ipebi, where traditional rites would be performed for him for not less than three months and did not need any approval from other authorities before his installation, unlike now that the Yoruba cultural value has been eroded by government due to so-called civilisation.
He explained further that selection process of a monarch was less cumbersome because the candidate did not rely on any local or state government’s approval for installation.
Earlier, president of NANS had, on behalf of his colleagues, announced the recognition of the traditional ruler’s immense contribution to the progress and development of his community over the years.
For this, the students conferred on Oba Gbolahan Akanbi Timson the award of Students Most Friendly Royal Father for 2008.
According to NANS, “after deep scrutiny by the NANS Senate and in recognition of your leadership traits and youth/student friendly gesture, His Royal Majesty, Oba Gbolahan Akanbi Timson, the Jagunmolu of Somolu-Bariga, is being honoured today and admitted to the NANS Hall of Fame as patron and leader.”
To achieve this, the students referred to one of the sayings of the late Martin Luther King, Jnr.: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands at the time of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at the time of challenge and controversy,” urging the monarch not to relent in his struggle to get what righfully belongs to him.
While thanking him, they urged the Jagunmolu not to be tired of his fatherly support, saying, “we urge you not to retire but refire in the commendable services you have been rendering to students.”
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