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Day Abdullahi Adamu Became Teruuru Of Owu Kingdom
Sunday, October 22, 2006
It all started on a cold and rainy Thursday, October 5 when dignitaries left Lafia, capital of Nasarawa State for the hilly city of Abeokuta in Ogun State, where the Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Adamu, was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Ateruuru of Owu Kingdom by the Olowu of Owu, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu.
Though the day's activities started very slowly, due to the early morning downpour in Lafia, as early as 7a.m. those billed for Abeokuta from Lafia had began to gather at designated take-off points for the journey down south.
The over 12-hour drive in the Coaster buses that embarked on the journey was not as comfortable as expected by those who were looking forward to the event, especially those who had never been to Abeokuta.
Expectedly, it was a tiresome journey, as most of the buses did not get to their destination until late that night.
Despite going to bed at the wee hours of the morning due to their late arrival, many of the dignitaries were up very early so as to catch up with the day's activities expected to kick off at 10 a.m. at the Olowu's palace.
The event, however, kicked off with a press briefing by Adamu at the Presidential Lodge as part of activities lined up for the day. Beginning on a light note, he told pressmen at the briefing that he did not wish to get into a quarrel with any of them because "today is my day".
Responding to a question from one of the journalists, he noted that he was happy to be crowned a chief in the hometown of President Olusegun Obasanjo. He told newsmen that he felt honoured and humbled that the people of Owu Kingdom were honouring him with the title of Ateruuru, directly interpreted to mean one who is capable of carrying the burden of Owu Kingdom (and perhaps that of Nigeria).
However, things began to gather momentum at about 10 a.m. on Friday when friends, well-wishers and indeed the people of Owu began to troop into the palace of the Olowu on the winding path of the hilly Abeokuta town.
The palace was jam-packed with people from Nasarawa, Bayelsa, Kaduna, Rivers and other parts of the country, who had come to witness the crowning of their governors. Others were also there from other states to identify with those being honoured, showcasing their rich cultural heritage.
The Olowu's palace on that day was like a mini-festival for arts and culture, with the spledid showcase of the rich cultural heritage of people all over the country that spiced up the occasion.
Apart from Adamu, Governor Ahmed Makarfi of Kaduna State was also conferred with the title of Obatuwanse of Owu Kingdom; Goodluck Jonathan of Bayelsa was named the Obateru of Owu Kingdom, while Peter Odili of Rivers bagged the title of Ogumma of Owu Kingdom.
The occasion offered the dignitaries the opportunity to savour the rich culture of the Owu people as well as the cultural heritage of those that were conferred with different chieftaincy titles such as the Nasarawa Cultural Troupe, who were on hand to showcase their deft dance.
The grand entry of Oba Dosunmu to the arena electrified the whole palace, as both young and old tried to catch a glimpse of him.
As it is the culture of the people, shouts of Kabiyesi rented the air before the monarch finally took his seat.
The monarch, the third son of Oba Adesunmbo Dosunmu and 13th Oba of Owu, is former chairman, Abeokuta local government. Under him, the town witnessed rapid development.
As a young man growing up in the hilly town of Abeokuta, coupled with the fact that he had his primary and secondary school education in Abeokuta between 1941 and the 1950s, he had noted what his people wanted and since he came on the throne had been in the forefront of addressing those issues. As a child who grew up in the palace, the tutelage of the place and the rudiments and courtesies, which are part of the culture of the people, aided him greatly when it was time to ascend the throne of his forefathers.
On that particular day, the oba stood before the mammoth crowd like a priest ready to ordain into priesthood some young men who had gone through the rudiments of "the word" and now prepared for the task ahead.
Adamu definitely stood out tall among those to be honoured at the event on the day, even though he was called out after several others.
Although the ceremony started with the beneficiaries coming out one after the other, it was only when Adamu was called out Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, came out with him, signifying the respect accorded him not only by the governor, but also members of the Olowu cabinet.
The way he was received may be because he (Adamu) was the chairman of Northern Governors' Forum. It may also be beacause he was chairman of the Governors Forum or perhaps because he holds the title of Aare Obateru of Ile-Ife (the Source). It is also worthy of note that he is the Sakin Yakin Keffi. But whichever way one takes it, one thing is certain, the respect Adamu was accorded showed there was something different about him.
Then the Olowu performed the rites assisted by Chief M. Ola Yusuf, the Olayi Kpara Koyi (Minister of Commerce), who explained that the capability and ability of Adamu to carry the burden of the kingdom (including that of the other chiefs honoured) was not in doubt.
This, by implication, showed that the title conferred on Adamu had a lot to do with his managerial skills.
The royal father prayed God to give the Ateruuru the wisdom, energy and strength to function not only to the benefit of Owu people, but also the nation at large. This seems to have given the Ateruuru the baton to step up to higher positions.
Maybe the most appropriate position for him now is the Presidency he has declared his intention to contest.
Adamu also sees himself as the man with the skills, qualities and the wherewithal to shoulder the responsibilities of the nation like the title suggests, and his friends and associates urge Nigerians in their campaigns and messages to sell Adamu's candidature to the electorate.
The chieftaincy title coming at a time like this may boost his candidature for the Presidency, especially now that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is about to conduct its primaries.
When Saturday Independent sought to know the significance of the title, Yusuf explained: "It is a title that signifies the virtues of a governor. That is a man who is physically able and capable of carrying any burden without feeling the pains. He is very tall, handsome and strong.
"It also means in intellectual terms, a man capable of carrying the burden or load of helping in building Owu Kingdom and also his contribution to nation building".
He noted that in conferring the title on Adamu, the Owu took cognizance of "his physical strength and also his intellectual and administrative skills".
Senator Dantso Sodangi (Nasarawa West), who was among those that graced the occasion, described the governor as a traditionalist who cherishes and upholds the traditional institution and values.
In his opinion, Adamu deserved the title bestowed on him, as he has introduced different laws to institionalise the traditional stool in Nasarawa.
He explained that the title conferred on Adamu at Obasanjo's hometown came with a lot of credibility.
Another senator from the state, John Danboyi (Nasarawa North), pointed out that the title, which was unfit for a weakling, showed that Adamu is a man of strength.
It was the case of who the cap fits let him wear it and Governor Abdullahi Adamu wore the cap, and it fits him the most.
By Tor Acka, culled from Daily Independent
21st October
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