Yoruba Community In Enugu Gets First Oba

The Yoruba Community in Enugu State, has unanimously selected, Alhaji Abdulazeez Adebayo, as its new traditional ruler.

Adebayo, who hails from Osun, became the first ever Oba of the community since the history of Yorubas living in Enugu.

Speaking during their meeting in Enugu, the new monarch, said that eight states of Oyo Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara and Kogi, made up the Yoruba Community in Enugu State.

Adebayo revealed that Yoruba ethnic nationality in the state comprised Progressive Union, Ede descendants Union, Olateju, Ekiti, Ondo, and Ilorin descendant Union.

“Today, the Ibadan Progressive Union having seen the light and truth decided to associate and join Progress Yoruba Community in Enugu State since what we have been yearning for many years to have an Oba has become a reality,” he said.

On how he was chosen, Adebayo said the process entailed looking for somebody with good record, good behaviour and who could take care for his people.

According to him, the person must also be trustworthy and ensures quality representation of Yoruba people in Enugu.

Explaining how the clamour for Yorubas in Enugu to have an Oba started, he said some people indicated interest to contest for the position in 2018.

Adebayo added that after screening, a report about the aspirants was submitted to the Yoruba community.

“We lost about three persons in the process of waiting to choosing who will be our Oba.

“This is what the Yoruba elders saw and decided to bring a neutral person who is trusted and I was called upon to be Oba of Yoruba Community in Enugu.

“I came to Enugu in Feb.7, 1979,” he said.

While urging them for support, love and unity, he appealed to other Yorubas who were not in the fold to join the community

In his remarks, one of the aspirants, Chief Valentine Adesina, noted that there had been leadership tussle among the aspirants.

“After the general meeting they agreed to have a committee that will look into that. We were about seven including me but it was trimmed down to three.

“We don’t do election but we consider certain criteria like age, character, and at the end of the day, the elders came up with Adebayo.

“He has been one of the pioneer members piloting the affairs of the community for about 35 years now.

“For that singular reason, he knows more than most of us; most Yoruba elders that started with him had gone back home, while others had died.

“I decided to step down for him to move the community forward,” Adesina said.

NAN