….says,”Owu Chieftaincy Titles Are For Deserving Individuals, Not for Sale”
His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Hammeed Adekunle Oyelude Makama, the Olowu of Kuta, has emphasized that Owu Chieftaincy titles are neither cheap nor for sale, but are bestowed upon individuals who truly deserve them.
This declaration was made on Tuesday at his Kuta palace during the conferment of Chiefaincy titles on two distinguished personalities: Brigadier General Michael Mukomani (rtd), a high-ranking officer in the Botswana Army, and Ms. Amani Bint Muhammed A Aljizani, a Saudi Arabian princess.
Gen. Mukomani was conferred with the title of Otun Balogun-Agba of Owu-Kuta, a prestigious title meaning “Right Hand Man” to the Balogun-Agba of Olowu-Kuta, while Princess Amani received the title of Erelu Fiwagboye of Owu-Kuta, which carries the responsibility of fostering community development initiatives for the Owu-Kuta Kingdom.
At the epic occasion, Oba Makama also praised General T.Y. Buratai, Nigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff and Ambassador to Benin Republic, for his ongoing support and encouragement.
Gen. Buratai, who led the honorees to the palace, had earlier bagged the Owu Chieftaincy title as Balogun-Agba of Owu-Kuta.
In his interesting speech, Gen. Buratai relayed the bond between him and Gen. Mukomani since the War College days in Bangladesh and spoke of his subsequent success in Botswana’s military. He also expressed that Gen. Mukomani’s leadership qualities will propel him to future political success in his country.
While Speaking on behalf of the newly installed Chiefs, Otun Balogun Agba, Gen. Mukomani expressed his gratitude for the honour and shared his excitement about being part of the cultural heritage of the Owu Kuta Kingdom. He pledged to be a strong ambassador of Yoruba culture and would promote the values he has experienced in Kuta back in Botswana.
“I breathe in the Yoruba culture, and I will carry it with me,” he said.
“The Yoruba have the potential to lead the African continent. With the right leadership, Nigeria can set the pace for the rest of Africa,” he said.
The ceremony was a testament to the deep-rooted cultural ties and mutual respect shared among the Yoruba people, demonstrating their commitment to progress and unity.
Some of the dignitaries present at the event were Oba Adedokun Abolarin, Orangun of Oke-Ila; Oba Hakeem Ogungbangbe, Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesa; Oba Kamodudeen Obaloyan; Lt. Gen. Rasaki Adeosun and Oba Moses Agunsoye, Elebura of Ijebu-Ijesa, Engr. Moses Oluwafemi,Elemure of Ijebujesha,Dr. Oludapo Olubajo of Ara Kingdom among others.