One of the most respected High Chief in Akoko land, Chief Emmanuel Sunday Orimolade, the Oyeyikanmi of Akoko land has allayed the fears of the graduate youths deployed to the Sunshine State, assuring them that they would want to stay behind after the completion of their service to their fatherland.
Orimolade, an indigene of Supare in Akoko Southwest Local Government asserted that the Yoruba race is one of the most hospitable race you could find on the surface of the earth.
Speaking to the 2024 Batch 'A' (Stream 1) corps members on Culture and Tradition of the Yorubas at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, the guest lecturer who is versed in orthodoxy and modern anthropology of the Yoruba culture however warned the visitors not to cross their boundary.
"Distinguished Gentlemen Corps Members, I want to reiterate the empirical fact that Yorubas are very generous and hospitable. They are always willing to extend their hands of fellowship and share their resources with others as a way of adding value to their lives and build their capacity. However, anyone who misbehaves or act in dissonance to their dignity, civility and humility is shown the unpleasant side".
He said that the largest ethnic group in the West Africa sub region values greatly their culture and ways of life, adding that they love to teach willing visitors or strangers their do's and don'ts.
According to Oyeyikanmi, they respected the traditional institutions and revere their kings because they believed that those Monarch are second in command to the gods and refer to them as deities.
"Respect is synonymous with the Yorubas and they can do anything humanly possible to ensure that nothing tampers with this virtue. This is the reason they cherish the sobriquet 'Omoluwabi' translated a 'Virtuous people'. You don't have to be told when you see them anywhere on the surface of the earth because their mode of greetings expose them and they pride themselves as the descendants of Oduduwa".
The distinguished guest speaker disclosed that before the advent of Christianity and Islamic religion, Yorubas are known to be ardent traditionalists who worshipped deities like Ogun, the god of iron, Obatala, etc and practised divinity such as Ifa oracle.
"However, with the coming of Christianity and Islamic religion, majority of Yorubas shifted their focus and embrace these religions, though I need to let you know that some are still practitioners of these traditional religion as this is evident in some places you will come across in your host communities. Do not see them as idol worshippers or people of stone age but people whose ways of life still reflects what they inherited from their forebears" he explained.
"Let me further inform you that the Yorubas just like any other tribes in the country has festivals which showcases the culture and potentials of the people. Whenever they want you to celebrate with them, you will be adequately informed but if they do not want you to come out from your abode during some festivities that is primarily meant for the natives, they have a way to pass the information round. Be sensitive to what goes around you".
In conclusion, the Chief from Supare Kingdom who is an Assistant Director/Head, General Services of the NYSC Secretariat in the Sunshine State admonished the members of the service corps to see their coming to Southwest geopolitical zone as divine arrangement for them to see the light from another perspective.
Chief Orimolade wished them best of the service year as he reminded them that respect begets respect and implored them to have open mind so that they can learn new things that will make their service year memorable and enjoyable.
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