By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
Three visiting Yoruba Kings and their host HRH Oba (Rtr) Moshood K.B Aboolade (JP) Ariwajoye 1 of Yoruba Community and Royal Father of Nigerian Community in The Gambia called on the Nigerian High Commissioner Mr. Muhammed Manu on Thursday, June 9, 2022
HRM Oba Dr. Saheed Olamilekan Ibrahim Adafe, Ori Lobamise 1st Oba Yoruba, Republic of Ireland, HRM Adoyaka Daso OBA Yoruba Community Netherland and OBA Emobolaji Dehua Gbadenolu 1 OBA Yoruba Community Liberia, are in The Gambia as special guest of honors to marks the 10th Coronation Anniversary of HRH Oba (Rtr) Moshood K.B Aboolade (JP) Ariwajoye 1 of Yoruba Community.
In his welcoming remarks, High Commissioner Muhammed Manu commended the Yoruba Community in the Gambia for their determination and commitment to promoting their culture, noting that no society or country can progress without the protection and promotion of its culture to the outside world.
According to him, culture is the identity of people and communities that makes them distinct from others, noting that it is sometimes through cultural dress that identifies Nigerians among other Africans.
High Commissioner Manu used the occasion to call for unity and understanding among the Yoruba Community, noting that it is only through unity and understanding that can lead the community to achieving its desired objectives.
He also called on the elders of the Yoruba Community in the country to be accommodating and ignore distractors who are bent on setting them back, arguing that no leader or Kings can be liked or appreciated by all his/her subjects but must always work hard to unify all and sundry.
“Once you are in leadership don’t expect everybody to follow you, it is not possible. There are some people who don’t see positives and anything that may be positive, as far as they are concerned unless that thing is coming to them. But then is not everybody that God will crown as King, God has created us for different things and everybody has his own blessings,” HE Muhammed Manu stated.
He added: “So it is on you also to know that this thing God has given me is destined for me, God has also expectations of me. What are the expectations in me is to be fair to supporters and opposers, you are the father of all.”
HRH Oba (Rtr) Moshood K.B Aboolade (JP) Ariwajoye 1 of Yoruba Community and Royal Father of Nigerian Community in The Gambia, expressed his gratitude to High Commissioner and staff of the Nigerian High Commission, adding that the courtesy call is meant to introduce the visiting Yoruba Kings to the High Commissioner ahead of the 10th Coronation Anniversary of the Yoruba Kingdom in the Gambia.
HRH King Abolade, recalled that exactly 10 years back the Yoruba Community crowned him to become their King in the Gambia, revealing that the build-up to his coronation was marred by state interference during the former regime who were viewing his kingship with suspicion.
He disclosed that it was through commitment, perseverance and patience that led to the Yoruba Community to get the approval of the Gambian authorities for Yoruba Community to have its own King in the country, noting that with the support of some genuine Gambian authorities and the Nigerian High Commission, Yoruba Community got its approval and held its first coronation 10 years back.
The Yoruba King in The Gambia continued to disclosed that the 10th Coronation Anniversary will includes book launching that is to was held yesterday Thursday, block laying ceremony of Nigerian Town, block laying ceremony of Yoruba Community Town secretariat and commissioning of OBA Moshood Abolade Central Mosque today Friday, adding that Saturday will be characterized cultural events of the Yoruba and Nigerian communities in the Gambia.