On Monday, former President Olusegun Obasanjo met with Prof. Saka Adelola Matemilola, who just assumed the position of Olowu of Owu Abeokuta.
Obasanjo, being Obasanjo, bowed before the newly approved monarch as a show of honour to the crown. This act symbolised the superiority of Yoruba Obas over their subjects, regardless of how highly placed those subjects may be. Obasanjo's bow was in character.
The new Olowu, who is just getting started with the required six months of traditional rites, recently met the Balogun of Owu in his old abode at Ita-Iyalode in Abeokuta, which is the capital of Ogun State.
Obasanjo gave the monarch his support and the support of the sons and daughters of the kingdom while he was presenting the monarch to the other Owu chiefs and indigenous people of the area.
The previous leader of the country stated that this was the quickest time that a new king would be filling a vacant Olowu stool after the passing of an Oba. He added, "We have preserved our culture and tradition, and we must not allow our culture to go into extinction."
Even though there were some individuals who were dissatisfied with the kingmakers, he expressed his contentment with the fact that the method by which the new Olowu will be chosen by the kingmakers was granted clearance by the Ogun State Government on Wednesday.
"We did what we were supposed to do and some people were not happy with us, but we thank God that the state government approved his (Matemilola's) appointment," he said. "We did what we are supposed to do."
According to the Bendelnews, the kingmakers, led by Obasanjo, have evaluated seven potential candidates for the stool that will become vacant in December 2021 when Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu passes away.
Obasanjo told the newly crowned Olowu, "I want to assure you of my unalloyed support and the support of the entire sons and daughters of Owu kingdom in your journey as the new Olowu," Obasanjo said. "I want to assure you of our support."