In a rich and enlightening conversation, the newly conferred Baasala of Ijemo Chief Adeleke Ade- Adeniji shared his insights on the significance of the Ogboni institution, his role as a traditional chief, and his vision for the community's future. The Business Package was at the installation held ar Ile- Ogboni in Ijemo. Let's dive into the interview.
Excerpts.
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Understanding Ogboni
Q: What is Ogboni?
Ogboni is a body of male and few selected females chosen for their age, wisdom, character, and meritorious services to the community. Ogboni is the traditional organ for ordering the social, economic, judicial, and spiritual lives of our people. If you must know, the Ogboni is headed by the Obas who is the number one Ogboni man in his domain. It had been an integral part of the Egba heritage in the scope of our activities. And, this influences the affairs of the Egba nation. I must also let you know that the Ogboni has been the engine of socio-economic development of the nation. And, it has been defined as a body of elders. Our role as Ogboni does change in line with the structures and changes in the nation. You must also be aware that the Ogboni is the traditional government in Egbaland. They are elders whose age and wisdom qualify them for leadership positions as Chiefs.
The Meaning of Baasala
Q: What is the meaning of Baasala, and what are the roles expected of you?
The title Baasala simply means an elderly person whom the people run to for solutions to numerous issues or problems. In the olden days, the people who held the title of Baasala were the Babalawos, the Onifas. For instance, in those days, when women were pregnant and had been laboring for a length of time struggling to deliver the baby, especially when all medical entreaties seemed not to hit the target, they would approach the Babalawo who would put some concoctions together, and before you say Jack and Robinson, the woman would have delivered safely. So, they derived the name from such instances. Let me give you another example: a small child who has convulsion, and they just rushed such a child to the Babalawo who also rubs something on the face of the small child, and he or she comes back to life. He is a go-to person to get solutions. But, in modern days now, it is different. By the grace of God, I'm an Accountant by profession, and I had run some empowerment schemes. And people of my domain thought it wise; this is a modern-day period when we do not really need the service of a Babalawo. They now came to the conclusion that somebody like this who has been a beacon of hope to the people in terms of empowerment fits perfectly into the picture. That was how I got the title.
Roles and Responsibilities
Q: Describe your leadership style and roles as Baasala.
My role as Baasala is very relevant in the modern time in multiple ways. Just like I have just mentioned, I have had cause to be at the vanguard of empowering people not only in Ijemo alone but within Egba and the whole of Ogun State. I have empowered teachers, I have empowered the police through their authorities, and I'm still doing that till the present time. So, the role is just too numerous to mention. Apart from that, to the glory of God and as a young man fairly educated, there are other administrative roles which I have been playing in the community. As a Baasala, I do not have authority per se. Let that also be on record. This is because we have an organogram governing the scheme of things.
Community Engagement
Q: How do you foster relationships with community members, and what initiatives have you implemented to promote unity and cooperation?
Like I said, we do all of these things together, and I must let you know that in Ijemo, we believe in collective roles and responsibilities and shared leadership. Hardly would you see anyone who would say he single-handedly does certain things. It is always a team effort. For instance, up till today, Ijemo has 327 villages, and all these villages have their Baales, and the Baales report to the Ogbonis because it is the Ogbonis that install Baales, and the Baales usually meet with the Ogbonis in Ile Ogboni last Tuesdays of every month in the case of Ijemo. All the Chief with the Oluwo meet from time to time, so there is no way anyone can lay claim to be the all in all. It is a collective effort.
Preserving Heritage and Resolving Conflicts: The Baasala's Role.
Q: How do you maintain and sustain the culture and heritage of your community or town?
On Cultural preservation, I want to place on record that to the glory of God in Egbaland today, our progenitors have tried. They have tried very very well. As you must know, the Egbas came to being in 1830. But, Ijemo has been here for a very long time before they came and we have been administering ourselves. We have our culture through which we preserve our tradition and our values. With regards to Ijemo now, there is a place called "Ijemo Alape". That is where it started. We also have a little stream called "Kekere Owu". When the Egbas first came to Abeokuta, it was that stream that everyone in Egbaland back then came to fetch. "Kekere Owu" is at a place we call "Idi-aro". And, as at today with regard to the stream, I can tell you that we are still preserving it, so also is the "Idi-aro". If you still get to "Idi-aro" today in Ijemo, you will still see places where people are making Adire Eleko, Adire Oniko. So, to the glory of God, we preserve our culture.
Role in Conflict Resolution
Q: As Baasala, what role do you play in conflict resolution?
You also mention my expected role in conflict resolution as Baasala. Like I just said, we meet fortnightly where we do things like arbitration and reconciliation of disputes. We do have that one fortnightly where issues are brought and everyone comes around and we settle amicably. It has been on record for years that some of the judgments reached by the Ogbonis are adopted and accepted by the Courts. In fact, there is none of our judgment that any court of law kicked against. In the last couple of years, therefore, we have been able to handle our arbitration and reconciliation perfectly. So, these and more are part of the things that rest on my shoulder as Baasala.
Vision for the Community.
Q: What is your vision for your community, and how have you been activating it?
On vision for the community. Let me first pray that God give us good and sound health and spares our lives. I became Baasala eight years ago to be precise. When I came on board as an educated person, the first thing I did was to organize a workshop for our people, and the memories of that still linger. And, about three years ago to be precise, I approached our Kabiesi Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo who graciously approved that I should organize a workshop for the whole Ogbonis in Egbaland, which I did. I must also let you know that by November this year, a similar workshop would be coming up through my office; something I took up as a role which is titled: "The Role of Ogboni Traditional Institution in Egbaland: Impediments and Prospects". Lastly, I must reiterate the fact that the Ogboni is the traditional government where we have elders with wisdom that qualifies them for leadership. The Egba Ogbonis meet every 17th day or 33 days in cycle depending on the preference of each Ogbonis, but our services are not remunerated. We meet in the open at the Ogboni house of our town. Our functions include the improvement of the social welfare of our people, maintenance of customary law and order, adjudication and arbitration in disputes of inter-personal or inter-family nature. We also consider services to the government - state and local. Customary service is one of the things that we do, and as king-makers, we serve as spiritual ancestors. As I thank you once again, I must let you know again that the Baasala is a title that i got from my great-grandfather. So, I want to thank you once again. I appreciate you. God bless you.
Appreciation
Q: Who are the people that made the event possible and memorable as it was?
Thank you very much. I wish to acknowledge the role and support of the following people for making the event possible and memorable as it were: High Chief Oluyinka Kufile, Oluwo Ijemo and Aro Egba; Chief Salami Ajisafe,Apena Ijemo and other sectional heads. Their roles in making the program and installation possible ca not be quantified.
End.
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