SNOOP COMMUNICATIONS

 WHEN THE GODS USHER IN OBA ONISHERI WITH SHOWERS OF RAIN

By Lanre Olaleye

For days, the atmosphere in Isheri, the ancient Awori town in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos was dry and dusty, a reminder of the harmattan weather period of the year. Except for the cool morning breeze, the heat wave is generally high and intense forcing most residents to seek for respite.

They did not have to wait too long as the 11^th December 2024 official installation ceremony of Prince Ibrahim Olasunkanmi Lawal-Bello (Olanwa 1) as the 5^th Onisheri of Isheri Kingdom has brought the most sought after relief.

As customs and tradition demands, the new king is expected to tour the whole town on the 3^rd day (Eta) after his installation in company of the ‘initiated’, the chiefs, family members and relations as well as well-wishers in a ‘thank you walk’ to show appreciation for the support of indigenes, residents and critical stakeholders of the town.

It was also a day the new king is expected pay courtesy visits to the shrine of the gods and deities of the land as well as the burial grounds of past traditional rulers and prominent chiefs of the town.

Hence, at exactly 11 a.m. on Friday 13^th December 2024, swerving to the beautiful rendition of the traditional bata music, Oba Olasunkanmi clad in white apparels and accompanied by his beautiful wife, Olori Yetunde stepped out to perform his customary duty as custodian of customs and tradition of the ancient town. A symphony of admiration greeted the new king as he walked through the streets of Isheri. His youthful looks caught most attention even as many were seen discussing in low tones how the young king and his delectable wife complement each other as young couple.

The first port of call was the ‘Olofin shrine- where the new king paid homage to the progenitor of the Aworis by offering libation in solemn obeisance to the ancestors of the land. Soon after paying respect and honour to the ‘owners of the land’, the heaven literally opened up with showers of rain in acceptance and affirmation of Oba Olasunkanmi’s libation.

Thereafter, the rain which started as showers soon developed into torrential rainfall as the king visited the shrine of Esu (the emissary deity in-charge of chaos and travels); Obatala (the deity of creation and purity); Yemoja (the water goddess of procreation and purity); and sango (the revered god of thunder, lightning, justice and fire). Despite, the intensity of the rain, the king went about his customary duty unhindered for four hours moving from one site to another. With the rain came the flood which literally cleanses the town of its past atrocities.

However, it was a solemn affair as Oba Olasunkanmi sauntered into the burial sites of past traditional rulers of the town beginning with his immediate predecessor, Late Oba Wahab Balogun. The mood at this particular site was solemn, a reminder of the final resting place of the king when he eventually joined his ancestors.

Interestingly, the rain subsided soon after a white ram was slaughtered in atonement for the plagues of the town and to usher in a new beginning of fruitfulness, wealth and abundance.

Indeed, the refreshing effect of the rainwas felt not only in Isheri but also in neighbouring towns and communities as the old rustic rooftops wearing new colourful looks just as plants and crops  are regaining new lease of life- a signal of better days to come.

With high expectations of a brighter rewarding future for Isheri Kingdom under the reign of Oba Ibrahim Olasunkanmi Lawal-Bello (Olanwa 1); one only hopes and pray the gods should grant the new king wisdom, guidance and long life to fulfil the onerous expectations.