I am writing this letter in tears because this was not our discussion. Ha, Kabiyesi we spoke and infact I also spoke with your Olori Yeyesa Ololade on that Sunday evening , two days to your departure to the land of no return until I was told on phone that you have joined your ancestors on Tuesday. I was shocked to my bone marrow. I was devastated and almost fainted .I could not eat for three days. Why? because you did not bid me goodbye and did not allow me to say farewell to you.
LET'S THANK GOD
Ahh, I forgot to tell you that I received calls from Texas, New York, United Kingdom commiserating with me on your passage.They called me to confirm whether it was true that you had joined your ancestors, and when I called your number several times to confirm , it was switched off.Then I screamed '' Ah Kabiyesi is gone''. But I still thank God that you didn't pass on in a foreign land but in the palace as a king!. This is more honourable .What else?. Ka saaa ma dupe.
YOU ARE NOT DEAD
Do you know that the market has been relocated while the trees were felled to inform the people that you have joined your ancestors?.
I know that by now you must have gone far.Yes, you must have crossed the seven heavens according to an African Philosopher who wrote on Immortality of the Soul and the Theory of Seven Heavens: Orun Kere, Orun Kere, Orun Oluwonronjiwon, Orun Akaso etc but I believe you are in good heaven .
Kabiyesi did you read Plato's Republic on Immortality of the Soul where Socrates said the soul is immortal and there is afterlife. And the Christians believe you are in Paradise where there is no pain, no weeping and no gnashing of teeth, no night there. They also believe we will meet at feet of Jesus Christ,we will meet by the riverside and on the Resurrection Day!.
I hope all is well in the Ugha Moron Courtyard where you are sleeping peacefully with your ancestors?. And remember Leonardo da Vinci's words ''As a well spent day brings happy sleep so life well used brings happy death ''.
So I will no longer see you again except only in my dreams?. Kabiyesi let me brief you what had happened after your exit.
By now you will know those who genuinely loved you. Do you know your death shook Owo, Ondo State and Nigeria at large? Infact I was told that BBC and CNN carried your stories , local newspapers and online media wrote a lot about you. Kabiyesi did you read the Tribute I wrote for you? it was published in your favourite newspaper, The Nation https://thenationonlineng.net/olowo-tribute-to-a-gentleman-oba/ where I wrote that I would have loved to go with you as you journeyed along , and that I would have loved to be an abobaku but civilization does not permit that any longer.Trust me, I would have surrendered myself and go with my 'father'.
Do you remember I told you to celebrate your 20th Coronation anniversary and make it elaborate when you said it would be a low key?. Thank God it was elaborate.You even read some passages from the Bible during the church service.
Did I not tell you when you were here that when you are gone you will be more appreciated. Remember?. Now everybody is now singing your praise, showering praises, pouring encomiums and showering accolades on you that you were a nice , humble and peace -loving man.
Oh Kabiyesi , I remember how you were trying to rebuild the Redeemed Church in the palace, it is still under construction. I will make sure the new Kabiyesi completed it when enthroned. Again , Kabiyesi , somebody was talking yesterday that Owo progressed during your time and was peaceful, another one said na lie,I argued and argued .But when the guy said he would beat me and nothing would happen I kept quiet and said Oloun a dajo (God will judge).
When they were beating those Oluseepe drums I cried and challenged them to stop it but when reminded that you have gone , I broke down and wept.
Haa come and see how the Iloros celebrated you. Come and see how the people of Owo honoured and celebrated you. Oloun Oba o, you are very great. Owo mi titi, Ogho shake ooo. Dignitaries poured in especially today, Friday for the final rites to mark your exit.
. Now they are now praising you that you were international Monarch, that you were the first well-read Owo King, and none was like you .That you were this and that . But I didn't say anything for that is life.They did it to Jesus Christ as they hailed him and crucified him the next day.
Do you remember Pastor Adeboye popularly called Daddy GO of The Redeemed Church, I mean your pastor ?,he came to Owo last week to commiserate with us on your departure.He was at the Palace where he preached, consoled the chiefs and family members and the natives . He even prayed for your departed soul and prayed that another coming king who would also love God like you did will become a King.
WHO IS THE NEXT KING
This weekend all the burial rites for your departed soul will end and the battle for the throne will start. But let me ask you a question; Kabiyesi should I apply and contest for the throne since you always called me your ''adopted son?''. If you want me to be there then let me know and if there is need for me to do change of name to one of the ruling houses' names please let me know too,and I would argue it out that I am your ''adopted son''. And Kabiyesi I believe there will not be crisis or they should all adopt me and become the King for peace to reign.
Kabiyesi, your sudden exit shocked us .A fake news went round that there would be rituals and sacrifices to be observed and many ran helter -skelter but was later debunked . I told them that it was a lie and that you will never subscribe to that because you were a staunch Christian.
I believe you went with your Bible , I trust you because you didn't joke with it while here.
Kabiyesi , what are the qualities a new king should possess?. I have been hearing names of those who are aspiring to be.What pained me most is that immediately your exit some people started coming up wanting to be King. They don't know how the hot seat is.Remember you told me that uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.
Kabiyesi please tell me who to support in case they reject my own application .
I know Olori Yeyesa will surely miss you , please don't forget to pray for her o. She stood by you .She was your pillar of support,and she always make us proud as our Monarch's Olori.
Kabiyesi, do you remember Diogenes that Cynic Philosopher going about with a lamp looking for honest man? He went round and round unfortunately could not find any .So know that honest or truthful person is scarce and as you journeyed along beware of those you might trust over there.
Some people are asking me to write a book on you but I said not now for I am gradually writing my autobiography where your activities and our 15 years relationship will be told, and the book will be published when I am 150years of age.I will write about you and how powerful you were but not vindictive.
I would write how that 'guy' that took me to Court failed as you predicted. I would write about how you counseled me about life. Yes oo, I will write about your jokes.
I know that some of your Chiefs like Ogwatowose, Olugbade and Olubola will all miss you due to your closeness.I have told them to be strong and that you entered Aja but not dead,for King don't die.
Yes, I have told many that we will all die one day , I have told death too that he should neither mock nor dread us for we are all coming over there , it is just a matter of time!. Did Ralph Waldo not say it that ''It is not length of life ,but depth of life''.
I will miss your soft spoken voice and your intellectual discussion . I am missing your smiling face. How I wish you could be reading my blogs over there , but don't forget my two blogs/websites (taiwoabiodun.blogspot.com and taiwoabiodun.com)where you will be reading my stories. If this year's Igogo festival is held I know Tunde Onibode will surely cover it as he has been covering your exit's events.
You have joined your ancestors, sleep well .And for those who said you did little , don't mind them but have solace in the words of David Crockett (1786-1936) who said '' I leave this rule for others when I'm dead , Be always sure you're right -then go ahead ''. You were meticulous and would never rush to conclusion.
You have played your own part.You were a very peaceful , loving , humble and kind father. Sleep well Kabiyesi.
I know you are looking at us and saying Veni,Vidi Vici ( I came I saw I conquered)
Your adopted son,
Taiwo Abiodun
Bobo T, T Bobo, Babalawo of the Nation( BoN)
Very heart felt...I look forward to your book .I pray that it is published before you leave this earth....
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