By Dr. Ope Banwo
I have just read the lengthy piece by Dr. Oladoyin Odebowale, who styled himself a High Chief Ogboni, in response to my simple, balanced article where I argued that Yorubas cannot in good conscience condemn Igbos for installing an “Obi of Lagos,” when in fact Yorubas themselves have long had “Obas of Yorubas” in Kano, Zaria, Awka, Abuja, Funtua, Enugu, and many other places outside Oodua land.
Unfortunately, instead of addressing the issues I raised, Ogboni High Chief Odebowale chose to respond in a manner that grossly betrays the age-old Omoluabi ethos of our Yoruba culture. His tirade was filled with insults, personal attacks, and language unbecoming of someone claiming leadership.
With respect sir, respectful disagreement is part of intellectual debate; name-calling and hate-spewing are not. Calling me unprintable names only dishonors the exalted yoruba leader position you are trying to claim sir.
So, without resorting to base language like you, please allow me your Ogboni Highness and Yoruba Chief, to elevate this discussion beyond the gutters by clarifying a few points:
- You Claim to be leader of Yorubas, but your words lack the Omoluabi Ethos. The Yoruba concept of Omoluabi emphasizes humility, respect, and measured speech, even in disagreement.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo, whom many of us rightly revere, and whom your followers dared to compare you to, never descended into gutter language against his critics, no matter how strongly he disagreed with them.
By contrast, Dr. Odebowale’s response is an embarrassment to that tradition. I personally consider it an insult to the memory of Chief Awolowo for you to consider yourself in his league as some of your misinformed followers claim.
You and Chief Awolowo are not even on the same realm when it comes to reasoned public debate or reaction to a point of disagreement.
- The Fact of Yoruba Obas Outside Yorubaland
My central point remains untouched: if Yorubas can install “Oba Yoruba of Kano,” “Oba Yoruba of Awka,” and similar titles across Nigeria, then to suddenly claim that Igbos cannot have an “Obi of Lagos” smacks of inconsistency and hypocrisy.
This fact is well documented and not in dispute.
You sir, Dr. Odebowale has not—and cannot—deny it. I gave you names of Oba of Yorubas outside of yorubaland, their full royal names and mentioned the cities where thy exist. Yet you deny it and saying I was endorsing the ‘sacrilege of our cultures’ as if I was the one who appointed those Obas. Denying the falling rain will not change the fact
If you think having Obas outside of Yorubaland is a sacrilege, why are you deflecting your anger on me when all I did was listed at 6 of them for you? If you think they are an aberration then take it up with those communities!
All I did was point out that they exist. Even in North Carolina, USA they had a very elaborate oba for Yorubas just a few years ago. Where were you then sir?
- The Fallacy of Selective Outrage
If Yorubas have tolerated and celebrated parallel titles in other regions for decades, why should Lagos be treated differently?
The issue is not about desecrating Yoruba culture but about being fair and consistent. Selective outrage weakens our moral standing as Yorubas. That is my point sir
And with respect you can’t claim you love Yorubaland more than other Yorubas just because we see the things differently
In any case when has disagreement over national issues turned to betrayal in Yorubaland? I find your unprintable choice words for me very objectionable and uncalled for. It’s hard to respect any leader that is so gross in his public comments.
- On Name-Calling and Accusations
Dr. Odebowale calls me a “quisling,” “sycophant,” “deluded subaltern,” and worse. But nowhere in my original article did I insult him or the Yoruba people. I simply raised a logical point backed with facts. Resorting to abusive words shows weakness of argument, not strength.
As my father never ceased to remind me, violence or resort to vulgar abuse is the last refuge of those who are out of ideas or who have been bested in a public debate
- The Real Danger to Yoruba Heritage
Contrary to Dr. Odebowale’s fearmongering, the real danger to Yoruba heritage is not from Igbos appointing symbolic leaders in Lagos. The true danger comes when supposed Yoruba intellectuals abandon civility, abandon Omoluabi, and respond to reasoned arguments with venom and violence an intimidation. That is how cultures are eroded—from within, not without.
I still don’t know whether you are trying to intimidate me or silently threaten me by reciting your Ogboni titles over a simple matter of civil public debate but you are accomplishing the opposite. I don’t get intimidated by spiritual titles especially ones by an Ogboni High Chief but if anything happened to me at least the world will know where to look.
This is a civil debate. Stay in your shrine and do your prayers for Yorubaland and not desecrate your organization by engaging in public debate with your Ogboni regalia. This is like a lawyer going to argue in a beer parlour with his full wig and gown
- Comparison with Nnamdi Kanu
Ironically, Dr. Odebowale’s tribalistic tone only strengthens my point that many Yorubas are becoming as narrow-minded as those we accuse of intolerance. At least Nnamdi Kanu is open about his irredentism. To cloak bigotry in the name of Yoruba purity is the greater hypocrisy.
- My Final Word
I respect every man’s right to disagree with me. But I will never respect insults dressed up as arguments. I stand by my position: Yorubas cannot condemn Igbos for doing in Lagos what Yorubas themselves have long done in Kano, Zaria, Enugu, and elsewhere.
Dr. Odebowale, if you truly wish to defend Yoruba heritage, then please do so with facts, logic, and Omoluabi dignity—not with abuse and bile. Anything less dishonors the very culture you claim to protect.
Dr. Ope Banwo is Founder, Naija Lives Matter Organisation, a lawyer, motivational speaker, innovator based in Omaha, United States of America (USA), and Managing Director Finance House in Lagos in the 90s
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