A recent lecture at the University of Ibadan's Faculty of Arts has ignited a conversation about the need for Yoruba people to stand against what a prominent speaker termed "royal rascality." The annual Alumnus Lecture featured renowned archaeologist and historian, Professor Akin Ogundiran, who urged a return to traditional values and accountability for traditional rulers.
Professor Akin Ogundiran, an alumnus of the institution, emphasized that Yoruba People should not be "tolerance of Royal Rascality." He stated that traditional rulers are meant to be custodians of culture and called on Yoruba people to speak truthfully to their monarchs. Ogundiran specifically criticized the practice of kings opting out of traditional burial rites, arguing that this contradicts their role as keepers of Yoruba heritage.
During the lecture, some attendees linked the "rascality" of some monarchs to the actions of chiefs, suggesting that a leader's behavior influences those around them. One guest pointed out that this kind of breakdown in leadership could lead to chiefs "engaging in selling of another person's property," a clear sign of cultural and moral decay.
In his closing remarks, Professor Akin Ogundiran made a final plea to all traditional rulers. He called on them to be "good ambassador of the race" and to serve as exemplary leaders for their people, embodying the values they are meant to uphold. The lecture's strong message has resonated with many, prompting a wider discussion on the role and responsibilities of traditional leadership in contemporary Yoruba society
Credit: Samuel Akintomiwa
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