Oba Olugbenle Enjoins Yewa People To Unite For Development

BY RUFAI ABIOLA
The Olu of Ilaro & Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle has enjoined citizens of Yewaland to be more united and cooperate with one another towards economiñc and social development of the area.
The Paramount ruler gave the advice while speaking with StarTrend Int’l magazine on his life at fifty (50) and the challenges of governance in his Ilaro office.
Oba Olugbenle who was full of gratitude to God for His mercy on him and the people of Yewaland pointed out that, he was optimistic that an indigene of Yewa would become the state governor in his lifetime.
According to him, “all I want is the unity of Yewaland. I want Yewaland to become more united, so that we can get to where we are supposed to be in terms of development. God has been merciful to us with our diversities here. This can be used to form our strength. I am very positive that in my lifetime, we shall occupy the Oke-Mosan office of the state governor. We have paid our dues by supporting other districts and I am very sure that other districts too will like us to also take our shot there. It is achievable and we are going to achieve it at the right time. We are blessed with qualified sons and daughters who have done so well in their respective professions. We are not asking for Yewa state but our own turn in the government house”.
Speaking on how he emerged as the state Chairman of Obas council, Oba Olugbenle who said that the position was a rotational among the four paramount rulers in the state, pointed out that he neither lobby nor manipulate any body or office before he became the chairman.
The Chairmanship is rotational among four of us. That is the Alake, Awujale and Akarigbo. The Akarigbo was my immediate predecessor. There is no lobby or any manipulation. The arrangement is clear. I am happy to tell you that I have learnt a lot of things going by my interaction with other traditional rulers. Leadership of traditional rulers is demanding because of the status of the people involved. But I thank God that I am doing my best to carry out my responsibility as expected of me “, Oba Olugbenle said.
The Paramount ruler who is also a Pastor in the Redeem Christian Church of God said that, there was no problem in striking a balance between the two roles, stating that he was not an idol worshiper.
He said that though, he is a custodian of custom and tradition, but that does not make him the one to perform their rites at worship places, adding that there were people in charge of the idols worship centres.
Oba Olugbenle said, ” I am the custodian of custom and tradition, but that does not make me the one who must perform their rites at worship places. There are people in charge of those things. I am from a royal family which is different from the family where there are masquerades or other things. I cannot combine my role with that of the family of masquerades. I am not a priest, so I don’t follow them to where they worship. What I do is to regulate and moderate whatever they do, especially their festivals”.
The Chairman of the State Obas council pointed out that he was a fulfilled man as he attained the golden age adding that as Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewaland, he could not asked for more.
“I can say with confidence that I am fulfilled. At fifty (50), God has been kind to me. I have my family, I have my career, my house and here I am as the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewaland. I cannot ask for more. Attaining 50 years of age is a fulfilment, especially when I remember those we started together but are dead now. I am not better than them. It is God’s design. So, I am good and thankful to God”, he said.