As Olofa of Offa clocks 10 years on throne

On May 9, 2020, the esteemed Olofa of Offa in Kwara State, North central, Nigera, His Royal Majesty Oba Muhammed Mufutau Oloyede Gbadamosi Okikiola Ilufemiloye Ajagungbade 1st, Esuwoye 2nd  will clock 10 years on throne.

The Offa traditional stool is one of the respected traditional institutions in the country cutting from the diplomatic circle, political angle, civil society arena, youth parliament, women groups as well as the international community. Since the ascension of the highly respected Olofa on the throne, he has brought a lot of developmental strides and initiatives to the kingdom meant for the emancipation, betterment and well being of his people. Not many would allow their concept to be enjoyed by all and sundry. Amongst the various human capacity development initiatives put into reality by the Olofa include:

a). Identifying skills, imagined talents and self-reliance among his subjects who are Offa indigenes and cut across male, female, old, young, men and women.

b). The Olofa made it practical in the kingdom through inaugurating a royal committee that comprised of indigenes who have fared in their endeavors to fish out and ensure that such class of indigenes are supported and given a lending hand to actualize their dreams. Little wonder that today many indigenes of the town especially the skillful and able bodied youths have gotten means of livelihood through skills acquisition, trading, farming and local production.

c). The area of employment generation through the Olofa’s link with various departments, ministries, parastatals, establishments and even the security agencies in the country is not also left out. Since the Olofa’s ascension to the exalted throne of Offa, he has been able to fix a lot of unemployed secondary school leavers, diploma holders, graduates and even master’s degree holders in different agencies of the state and federal government as well as security agencies through the judicious use of his contacts in high places in order to get appointment for his people.

d). the area of improved internal security aftermath of the most condemned offa thirty two bank robbery is one special aspect that also placed the Olofa high amongst his peers. His rallying round amongst the indigenes to immediately construct three mobile police units made of three squadrons without waiting for the federal government has in no small way tackled insecurity in offa. The Olofa through his subjects, state government and support of well-wishers actualized the siting of a police mobile force squadrons in offa which has reduced crime and  criminality to zero level. Since then, there hasn’t been anyvisible case of robbery in Offa. Without his gesture, patriotism and concern for the protection of the lives and properties of the offa people, all these would not have been made possible. The Olofa also recently had to intervene in a debtor/creditor faceoff between the NDIC and the companies of one of his illustrious sons by ensuring that NDIC takes alternative dispute resolution method than going ahead with its initial caveat emptor policy. Reasons that made the Olofa take such bold steps were borne out of his commitment to the sustainability of the investments of all the indigenes who are business driven and have their industries located in the town rather than liquidating such businesses preferred a community takeover for the benefit of the community. This singular defense, protection and salvaging of properties and investments of his people earned him respect, accolades and confidence among his people. His tolerant attitude is also one aspect that the community people appreciate.

e). Prior to his ascension to the throne, there existed a decade over decade communal clashes between offa and some neighboring towns especially Erin-ile due to land dispute which led to the loss of lives and properties in the past. Today, due to the peaceful approach and preaching of the Olofa, offa now enjoys peace and harmony with neighboring communities. The all-inclusive interaction, association and robbing of ideas between offa indigenes and those of the neighboring communities is helping to promote inter community investments, marriages and living. The Olofa and Elerin now sit, wine and dines with each other same way other ordinary indigenes of Offa in neighboring community does.

f). The Olofa also introduced a mandatory indigene annual contributing community development scheme where indigenes irrespective of class are motivated and encouraged to donate stipends for infrastructural, security and general development. The Olofa in his quest to achieve peace and unity amongst the contestants of the traditional stool who lost during the contest extended olive branch to the contestants which has made a number of them to shield their sword and join the various developmental strives of the great Offa town.

Offa town with the cultural praise singing of “iyeru okin omolofa majo ijakadi towotowo”  is today reckoning with the rest of the world from tourism to entertainment and investment. Even prominent fuji musicians like Kollington Ayinla, Wasiu Ayinde, Shefiu Alao and Osupa Saheed had course to be invited to entertain offa people during the various celebration of their annual “ijakadi festival” where sons are involved in local wrestling signifying the meaning of the festival. Good leaders they say are assets even outside their homes, the olofa’s ties with industrial magnet like Aliko Dangote made it possible for some of the indigenes to become Dangote product distributors. There hasn’t been any rumor of rift between the previous governors of Kwara State and even the incumbent one with Olofa due to his experience, wealth of knowledge and exposure.

As the olofa clocks ten years on throne it is our prayers that may God continue to give him sound health, wisdom, protection and long lives.

Asiwaju Shittu is a prominent son of Offa and former Presidential candidate of the Alliance National Party

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