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How The Egbas Gave The Alake A Befitting Passage By By Tayo Agunbiade
That Egbaland stood still to give its recently departed monarch, Oba Oyebade Lipede a befitting burial didn’t come as a surprise. During his life time Oba Lipede reigned over his people perceptively and was an embodiment of the peace and prosperity that permeated the land. The only way the people could pay their last respect was to display their high regard in a spectacular manner.
From the very onset Oba Lipede had made clear his aspirations for the people of Egbaland: “We should all rise like one man to restore honour and glory to the ancient land of our birth. I therefore devote the rest of my life to the peace, progress and development of Egba” he charged at his installation ceremony on 5th August 1972. It was apparent from his speech that he aimed to make his reign one of outstanding accomplishments.
Throughout his reign of wisdom and fair play he became a symbol of the revered culture and traditions of the Egbas. His 33-year reign has variously been described as being free from any sort of rancour or strife. He was said to deftly steer his way round any arising political potholes.
For the Egbas, the late king’s reign was a period that brought immense development to their land. It is said that during his reign huge gains were made in the area of education. Egbaland is renowned as a cradle of educational exploits and its royal father did not hesitate to build on this reputation for his people. To date Egbaland boasts of a federal university, a state polytechnic, a Federal College of Education and several other tertiary institutions. The late Alake’s penchant for lobbying for educational investments for his people may also have stemmed from his own educational feats in the 1930’s at Abeokuta and CMS Grammar Schools.
Having made a career in the shipping industry, he was opportune to visit many parts of Nigeria and the rest of the world. This may have informed his passion to attract modern development to his kingdom. This has nowhere manifested itself more than during his famous installation speech:” I wish to appeal to all well- meaning industrialists and financiers throughout the country to come over to Egbaland and establish”.
A week to his passage, his people had turned out in their thousands to celebrate the 90th birthday of their royal father. Little did they realise that the week long lavish celebrations were in a sense the grande finale for their beloved ruler.
Barely had the euphoria that accompanied the celebrations come to a close when Egbas were to be jolted by the least expected reports. As the news broke a stunned silence befell a normally bubbly town. Expectedly tributes flowed in quick succession from indigenes and non-indigenes alike. A condolence register opened at his GRA residence revealed a man held in the highest esteem. His character was described in words such as virtuous, hard working, gracious etc. Governor Gbenga Daniel recalled that the late monarch was a man of truth whose advice he always cherished. One of the things the Governor said he felt sad about is that Oba Lipede did not live to commission the Olumo Rock Tourist Centre when it would be completed.
Fully aware of what the monarch represented in his life time, his people in unison set about giving their beloved royal father a befitting passage. What better way to pay homage to an exceptional monarch than by halting all activities for a day and ensuring that their royal father receives a befitting burial. The State Government in a clear demonstration of support for Egba traditions and honour to the late monarch gave its blessing to a one-day curfew. And that was how Abeokuta stood still for its revered royal father.
Agunbiade writes from Abeokuta |