Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal
…Clears air on circumstances surrounding exchange of pleasantries between the Timi and Emir
The palace of Timi of Edeland has cleared the air on the circumstances surrounding the exchange of pleasantries between the monarch, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal and the Emir of Ilorin, Sulu Gambari at an occasion in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Oba Lawal was a guest at the wedding of Sheik Sulaiman Faruq Onikijipa’s son on Friday where the Emir was the Royal host.
In a video which later emerged from the event and being circulated the Timi of Edeland was seen bending in greeting the Emir of Ilorin who was on a sitting position.
This has generated a lot of controversies in many quarters which the palace of Timi of Edeland, in a statement by the media Assistant to the monarch, Abdulraman Adekilekun considers an attempt to denigrate the stool by those with bad intent on one hand, as well as genuine concerns on the need to preserve and protect the stool on the other hand.
The statement read in parts:
Our attention has been drawn to a video recorded in Ilorin at the wedding of Sheik Sulaiman Faruq Onikijipa’s son on Friday.
In the said video, which is now in circulation on the internet, HIM, The Timi of Edeland, Oba Dr. Munirudeen Adesola Lawal was seen greeting the Emir of Ilorin who was on a sitting position.
Baba Timi was recorded on bended knees, exchanging pleasantries with his host, Emir Sulu Gambari.
The video was greeted with diverse reactions. While political leanings and personal grudge motivated a handful of the comments, genuine concerns on the need to preserve and protect more the ancient and revered stool of Timi Agbale, could be seen as the push behind majority of the observations raised.
“While sincerely appreciate the concerns raised, we felt there was need to properly state what actually transpired. Baba Timi did not denigrate his throne by greeting Emir on bended knees.
“Oba Lawal, having an imposing frame, bended to exchange pleasantries with Emir because Alhaji Sulu Gambari, possibly due to his age or other personal reasons could not stand to greet the guests that went to him to pay homage.
“At first, Oba Lawal leaned towards Sulu Gambari to greet him, but because the Emir could not still hear greetings from his visitor, Baba Timi had to bend and move closer for clearer communication to take place.
“We also note that it was not only Baba Timi that Emir Sulu Gambari did not rise on his feet to greet. The Emir did not leave his seat to greet any of the guests that entered into the inner chamber to meet him.
“We appreciate the concerns and express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who gave opinion on the issue. To those that saw the incident as an avenue to ridicule the reverred stool of Timi, history is recording you. At the appropriate time, you will reap whatever you sow.
“We however call for restrain regarding comments on the matter. Law of the land, Yoruba customs and traditions have set boundaries to which any individual can go towards expressing opinion about another person.
“Timi Agbale Olofana’s stool can’t be subjected to any form of ridicule no matter the status of those online self-appointed moderator of morality fanning ember of hate against the current occupant of the stool.
“May Almighty Olodumare continue to bless our monarchs with sound health and peace of mind to attend to the business of managing the affairs of their town to the best of their abilities, amen.”
