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The Creation of the Council of Obas in South West Nigeria

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The institution of Obaship has always been central to Yoruba identity, politics, and cultural heritage. But the formal creation of a Council where Obas and Chiefs could meet was given legal backing in 1959, through the Obas and Chiefs Law No. W.R. 38 of 1959.

The Council of Obas and Chiefs was officially inaugurated on 24th March, 1960, with Oba Adesoji Aderemi, the Ooni of Ife, as its first Chairman. Other foundation members included some of the most powerful traditional rulers in Yorubaland.

Foundation Members (1960):

1️⃣ Sir Adesoji Aderemi – Ooni of Ife (Chairman)
2️⃣ Sir Ladapo Ademola – Alake of Abeokuta
3️⃣ Oba Gbadegesin Oladigbolu II – Alaafin of Oyo
4️⃣ Oba Tewogboye II – Osemawe of Ondo
5️⃣ Oba Moses S. Awolesi – Akarigbo of Ijebu Remo
6️⃣ Oba Adetoyese Laoye II – Timi of Ede
7️⃣ Oba Obika A. Gbnuba – Obi of Agbor

Interestingly, when Ooni Adesoji Aderemi was appointed in 1960 as the first African Governor in the British Empire and Commonwealth, the chairmanship of the Council shifted to Alaafin Ladigbolu II of Oyo.

Expansion of the Council

Over the years, the size and membership of the Council expanded, especially after political transitions:

1966 (Military Era):

Under Lt. Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, the Council was restructured by law. The Ooni of Ife was made Chairman, the Alaafin of Oyo became Deputy Chairman, with other paramount rulers like the Alake, Awujale, Olubadan, Osemawe, Orangun of Ila, Akarigbo, Ewi of Ado, Deji of Akure, and Owa of Ijeshaland added.

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1977:

Governor Adeyinka Adebayo further expanded membership to 12 permanent Obas, each representing the major divisions of the old Western State.

The Twelve Paramount Members (Post-1977):

1. Alaafin of Oyo – Oyo North & South
2. Ooni of Ife – Ife Division
3. Alake of Abeokuta – Egba Division
4. Awujale of Ijebuland – Ijebu Division
5. Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland – Ijesa North & South
6. Ewi of Ado-Ekiti – Ekiti Central
7. Osemawe of Ondo – Ondo Division
8. Olowo of Owo – Owo Division
9. Deji of Akure – Akure Division
10. Orangun of Ila – Osun North-East
11. Olubadan of Ibadan – Ibadan Division
12. Akarigbo of Ijebu Remo – Remo Division

This arrangement gave formal recognition to the paramountcy of Yoruba kingship, ensuring that Obas were not just cultural figures but also advisers and influencers in governance.

Till today, the Council of Obas remains a symbol of unity, authority, and the preservation of Yoruba heritage.

Moral of History:

The Yoruba monarchy has always adapted to time and circumstance. From colonial rule to military regimes and civilian democracy, the Council of Obas has been a meeting point of culture, politics, and tradition.

Question for you: Do you think the Council of Obas still holds as much influence today as it did in the 1960s and 70s?

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Lifestyle

Pride Before Everything Can Lead to a Fall

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Pride can quietly take control of a person’s life. When pride becomes more important than humility, wisdom, correction, and respect for others, it can eventually lead to failure and destruction.

The Bible gives us a clear warning:

β€œPride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
β€” Proverbs 16:18 (KJV)

Pride can make a person believe they are always right, refuse correction, look down on others, and ignore wise counsel. But true strength is not found in arrogance; it is found in humility, wisdom, and self-control.

β€œBefore destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.”
β€” Proverbs 18:12 (KJV)

We should never allow success, wealth, position, intelligence, beauty, or influence to make us feel superior to others.

β€œLet nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
β€” Philippians 2:3 (KJV)

Being humble does not mean thinking you are worthless. It means recognizing that you are not above others and remaining willing to learn, listen, and accept correction.

β€œFor all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
β€” 1 John 2:16 (KJV)

Never let pride come before everything else. A person may stand tall today, but pride can make them blind to the very things that could bring them down tomorrow.

Choose humility over arrogance, wisdom over stubbornness, and kindness over superiority.

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Remember: Pride may lift you up in your own eyes, but humility prepares you for lasting honour.

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Bullying Is Never Acceptable

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Bullying others is never acceptable. Every person deserves to be treated with respect, kindness, dignity, and compassion. Words and actions can deeply hurt others, so we should choose to encourage rather than humiliate, support rather than intimidate, and show kindness rather than cruelty.

The Bible teaches us:

β€œAnd as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
β€” Luke 6:31 (KJV)

This is the Golden Rule: treat others the way you would want to be treated.

β€œBe kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”
β€” Romans 12:10 (KJV)

We are called to show genuine care and respect for one another.

β€œLet no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying…”
β€” Ephesians 4:29 (KJV)

Our words should build people up, not tear them down.

β€œAnd be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another…”
β€” Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)

Bullying is not strength. Kindness is strength. You never know what someone else may be going through, so choose your words carefully, stand against bullying, and treat everyone with the respect and kindness they deserve.

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Some People Know Very Little, Yet They Behave as Though They Know Everything

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There is a difference between having confidence and having wisdom.

Some people have very little knowledge or experience about a subject, yet they speak with absolute certainty. They interrupt those with more experience, reject correction, and behave as though there is nothing left for them to learn.

The problem is not that someone is inexperienced. Everyone starts somewhere. The real problem is refusing to learn while believing you already know everything.

The Bible has a lot to say about this kind of attitude.

1. A wise person knows that there is more to learn

β€œThe fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
β€” Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)

A person who wants to become wise must be willing to receive instruction. Nobody becomes knowledgeable by pretending to know everything.

2. Listen before you speak

Some people are quick to give opinions but slow to listen. They speak confidently even when they have not taken the time to understand the subject.

The Bible says:

β€œWherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
β€” James 1:19 (KJV)

Listening is not a sign of weakness. It is one of the ways we learn.

3. Thinking you know everything can lead to mistakes

A person who believes they cannot be wrong will rarely examine their own thinking.

β€œSeest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”
β€” Proverbs 26:12 (KJV)

Being β€œwise in your own conceit” means having an exaggerated opinion of your own wisdom.

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Confidence without knowledge can be dangerous because it may cause someone to make decisions without understanding the consequences.

4. Don’t reject correction

One of the clearest signs of wisdom is the ability to accept correction.

β€œThe ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.”
β€” Proverbs 15:31 (KJV)

If someone corrects you and you discover that they are right, there is no shame in changing your position.

Admitting that you don’t know something is not ignorance. Refusing to learn is.

5. Experience matters

A person who has spent years studying, working, practicing, or dealing with a particular subject has accumulated experience that cannot be acquired simply by having an opinion.

The Bible says:

β€œWisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.”
β€” Job 12:12 (KJV)

This does not mean that older people are automatically right about everything. It means experience can provide valuable wisdom.

We should therefore learn from people who have knowledge and experience rather than assuming that our limited understanding is complete.

6. Don’t confuse confidence with wisdom

Someone can speak loudly, argue strongly and appear extremely confident while still being completely mistaken.

True wisdom is different.

A wise person can say:

β€œI don’t know.”
β€œLet me learn.”
β€œI may be wrong.”
β€œShow me the evidence.”

That kind of humility creates room for growth.

β€œBefore honour is humility.”
β€” Proverbs 15:33 (KJV)

Final Thought

You don’t have to know everything to be respected.

In fact, one of the most intelligent things a person can say is:

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β€œI don’t know, but I’m willing to learn.”

Never be ashamed of being a beginner. Everyone who is an expert today was once a novice.

The danger begins when a person knows very little but refuses to learn because they believe they already know everything.

β€œPride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
β€” Proverbs 16:18 (KJV)

Be confident, but remain teachable. Speak when you have something valuable to contribute, listen when you have something to learn, and never let pride convince you that there is nothing more for you to understand.

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