By Jimoh Ahmed
In an era where tradition wrestles with modern convenience, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, the Olowo of Owo and Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Traditional Rulers, has reignited a crucial national debate: Can a king discard the customs that define his throne and still claim legitimacy?
At a recent colloquium in Akure honouring the Deji of Akure’s tenth coronation anniversary, the Olowo issued a fiery statement:
> “If you want to be an Oba, be ready to live by the traditions… You can’t wear the crown and reject the customs.”
That message, though directed at fellow monarchs, speaks to all Nigerians witnessing the slow unraveling of ancestral heritage under the banner of modernization.
Tradition Under Siege
Many thrones today are occupied by monarchs who enjoy the privileges of royalty but reject the spiritual and cultural obligations that come with it. Kings who sidestep rituals, shun ancestral rites, and dress tradition in Western robes are increasingly common.
Dr. Festus Adedayo, keynote speaker at the event, rightly lamented the decline:
> “The mystique of kingship is vanishing,” he said. “When monarchs abandon their sacred identity, the institution loses its power to shape society.”
The Olowo responded with clarity: kingship is a choice — and choices have consequences. One cannot cherry-pick royal responsibilities. The crown is not a fashion item; it is a sacred emblem.
A Crown Without Culture is an Empty Symbol
Unlike the elected offices of today, African kingship is deeply rooted in lineage, spirituality, and culture. The king is seen as the earthly extension of ancestral authority. To sit on a throne and yet reject the very traditions that elevate it is a betrayal — not only of custom but of the people’s trust.
Sadly, some kings now prefer jet-setting lifestyles, political alignments, and flamboyant birthday parties over sacred rituals, festivals, and ancestral connection.
What results is monarchy without mystique, leadership without lineage — a throne reduced to theatrics.
Convenience is Not Kingship
Oba Ogunoye’s warning is a reminder: If you cannot handle the sacredness of tradition, do not seek the crown.
He draws from personal example — 25 years in palace life before ascending the throne — a grooming that instills reverence, not rebellion. Those who pursue kingship as a status symbol or economic tool without the willingness to live by its values have no business in royal robes.
When Tradition Dies, Identity Fades
This debate is not about resisting change — it is about preserving meaning. Cultures evolve, but they must not erase their foundations. From disappearing languages to neglected rituals, Nigeria faces a cultural crisis far deeper than what appears on the surface.
Monarchs are meant to be the last line of defense — not the first to capitulate.
Ironically, some monarchs who reject indigenous rites readily accept foreign religious rituals, Western knighthoods, and honorary degrees — all of which are, in their own way, also steeped in tradition.
Model Example: The Alaafin Installation
The Olowo applauded Oyo State for adhering to cultural protocols in the recent installation of the new Alaafin — a sign that tradition can coexist with dignity in a modern state. This should become the benchmark, not the exception.
As Governor Seyi Makinde, represented at the colloquium, rightly noted:
> “Even colonialists met structured monarchies. Strengthening these institutions is strategic governance.”
Indeed, cultural identity is not a relic; it is a resource.
The Way Forward: Restore Sacredness, Enforce Accountability
To salvage what’s left of our traditional institutions:
Royal Councils must set clear cultural standards. Monarchs who defile sacred rites must face scrutiny.
Communities must insist that their kings embody both cultural pride and spiritual credibility.
Government must protect and respect traditional systems without turning palaces into political playgrounds.
Monarchs who seek to modernize must do so responsibly — not by discarding tradition, but by deepening understanding of its essence.
Conclusion: The Throne is Not for the Timid
Olowo Ogunoye’s words echo far beyond Akure. They challenge not just kings, but every Nigerian: if we abandon what makes us unique, what do we become?
Tradition is not our enemy. It is our compass. It teaches, connects, and grounds us. When the king forgets this, the people lose direction.
If you must wear the crown, you must carry the culture. Anything less is not kingship — it is costume.
Let the crowns remain sacred. Let our traditions be restored. Let the soul of our heritage speak again.
