Image: Oba Ghandi with Sultan of Sokoto at a function recently. Can he be harbouring Christianization agenda?
Oba Ghandi: Christianization agenda indeed!
Ben GEORGE
Ben George is a long time columnist of this medium the print version (The Insight newspaper). Opinion expressed in this piece are his and not of the medium.
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Ogbomoso Oyo state was treated to some spectacle last week when news began to filter into the media space orchestrated by some Muslim groups that a Christianization agenda is afoot in the city. The traditional ruler of the community Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye was accused of being behind the sinister move. Then, on Friday after the Jumat prayers there was a public gathering of Muslim ummahs and a protest that featured carrying of placards bearing various inscriptions ensued. One that however caught my attention was one bordering on the move to Christianize Ogbomoso. That is both interesting and amusing. There might be issues that precipitated the eruption of the protest, but such sweeping allegation of christianizing the city is preposterous and an evil attempt to forment trouble where trouble lies quietly.
According to Wikipedia “Christianization (or Christianisation) is a term for the specific type of change that occurs when someone or something has been or is being converted to Christianity.”
To achieve this, some specific processes are highlighted such as Christianity spreading through missions by individual conversions, unleashing violence by individuals and groups like governments and militaries and conversion of previously non-Christian practices, spaces and places to Christian uses and names and so on.
These globally recognized Christianization methods, none can be said with any degree of evidence that they have been activated in Ogbomoso since the enthronement of Oba Ghandi more than a year ago. And neither is there proof to suggest such agenda is underway.
Since the advent of Christianity in Ogbomoso in about 1854 through the Anglican Communion mission activities and others that came in its wake, individual’s or family’s acceptance of the faith of Jesus Christ (Christianization) has gone uninhibited so also conversion to Islam (which debuted earlier in the community) and its spread has continued unhindered. And Oba Ghandi has not exhibited any tendencies hinting he is out to topple the apple cart. Even the easiest route to achieve conversion to Christianity which doesn’t run contrary to any law – evangelization and which is advocated by Jesus Christ in His Great Commission charge, we have not seen this Oba promoting openly. No popular crusade which he openly supported has come up in Ogbomoso in his one year of reign. If there is any spike in conversion to Christianity it is churches and various Christian religious leaders responsible and can’t be attributed to any concerted efforts by the Oba. Rather he seems to have even associated more with the Muslim faithful. So, associating him with a Christianization agenda is mere petty propaganda. Calling a dog a bad name to hang it though Oba Ghandi isn’t one to be hanged.
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The other two processes of Christianization, violence and conversion of public spaces or places for Christian purposes or changing names of such to bear Christian emblems are also non-existent under Oba Olaoye. Then, does he possess coercive forces to force anyone to his religion? Does he even have such intent? Does he appear to be a religion bigot despite being a pastor? Moreover, where he came from, religion boisterousness isn’t entrenched. Or has he moved to effect any name change anywhere to reflect his religion bias? Thus, the allegation is mere cruel propaganda and unfounded. On the other hand l can say it is a reflection probably of a broader and deeper animosity against a Christian becoming the Soun of Ogbomoso.
Or why openly and flippantly threatening religious war in a matter verging on common misunderstanding? Is it to intimidate Christians who are predominant in the town? Why attacking the sensibilities of Christians many who aren’t even aware of what is happening? Many who have never even seen Ghandi in person! Does anyone have monopoly of violence? How many nations or peoples have wars helped? Going on social media to talk glibly of religious war is thus nonsensical. They should not overstretch or over-exert their confidence. Why always embedding every dispute with religious coloration and sentiment? Or else one will begin to believe the insinuation that the religious faith of the Soun doesn’t sit well with the group always fomenting strife against him. They should be wary not to awake the sleeping giant!
The issue at hand has no bearing with religion as far as l understand. Unambiguously and unwaveringly focussed on economic and all round development of the community, his majesty felt the shanties that are shops vertically lining the front of the city hall the famed Ogunlola Hall and the north side of the central mosque, could be transformed into a modern trading centre featuring malls to achieve orderliness, bolstering the number of traders for greater business activities and enhancement of the aesthetic nature of the environment, which indeed needs it because of the monuments present there – the central mosque and the city hall.
Meanwhile, there is a clear demarcation depicted by a fence between the mentioned row of shops and the central mosque and anyone unfamiliar with its history will not think of any connection between the parcel of land the shops stand on and the mosque, moreover when the whole expanse of land originally is an extension of the palace.
The question now is did the protesters make efforts to meet with the king to state the grievances meaningfully before initiating the embarrassing public protest and stoking ember of religious conflict? It’s like they are always bent on externalizing every disagreement? Why not fight your battles with superior arguments at home instead of seeking external help by playing religion card! Has it ever worked? For the ploy usually is exposed. The present altercation as well as previous ones are issues that could be reasoned out internally without resorting to acts bordering on belligerence. The path being toed points to something deeper. Nonetheless it should be realized that we, Christians, traditionalists and Muslims, all own Ogbomoso, and have equal stakes. None should threaten others with violence at every turn of events.
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Looking at the current issue l think the Oba rather deserves praise. Dr Saka Balogun and Chief Alao Opeyemi lfamakinde are seeking traditional chieftaincy titles under Soun. While Dr Balogun eyes the position of Balogun of Ogbomosoland, Chief Ifamakinde is after validation of his chieftaincy as Araba Oluawo of Ogbomosoland having been installed before the ascension of Oba Ghandi and after the demise of his predecessor Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III. The practice everywhere is for a chieftaincy nominee to “grease” the palm of the consenting authority that is the king conferring the title characterized by offer of cash and material gifts running into millions of naira. It is the normal process in all palaces in Yorubaland. But Oba Olaoye thought otherwise, he is redefining the practice as he asked that the accruing gains from conferring chieftaincies be redirected to benefit the whole community rather than it being his sole royal bonus. The monarch gave the two chieftaincy hopeful this mandate – undertake execution of a developmental project in the community as a condition for your conferment. Let’s have a monument to commemorate your installation. I think this is a commendable innovation that stems from a generous heart of selflessness. Only a monarch fanatically committed to the development of his domain and not to religion or devoted to feathering parochial nest can introduce such reform.
It’s unfortunate the weak point or loophole of the new order and reform is the aspect being escalated and used to undermine his position and malign his personae. Well it is the fate of reformers. To bring change is a always a difficult pursuit, and its purveyors are always put in the eye of the storm. It is a process often fraught with numerous challenges. Anyone reading the narratives being pushed that the Soun is building shops on the land of the mosque, and if such person is beclouded too and not meticulous in finding the truth, will join the fray in taking the cudgel against the monarch, who has insisted his only goal is pedalling the vehicle of development. This he has demonstrated ample times. Not that he is doing it alone but charismatically rousing people to collaborate and those convinced by his altruism, faith and determination have been making valuable contributions. That is the hallmark of good leadership focused on building enduring legacies. His impact has been felt in many sectors in just a year: improved water supply through rehabilitation of boreholes and resuscitation of Ogbomoso water scheme which is nearing completion; spearheading the relocation of butchers to the new market and personally providing facilities at the place for ease of business; road rehabilitations; empowerment programmes personally and in his name; football development through a competition his goodwill facilitated; attempt at fostering unity and cooperation in the zone; inauguration of working committees to drive his 25 year – development plan; meeting with critical stakeholders including indigenes at home and in the diaspora to “think home, come home and develop home”; among others. Driving Ogbomoso forward is his mission and this he has emphasized several times. Naturally, daring to stand apart is bound to fuel jealousy, envy and breed bitter, fierce animosity.
It now makes more meaning when he declared on his day of inauguration that “light has come to Ogbomoso (to chase out darknes).” Darkness is a formidable potent force that always stands diametrically opposed to light so it is always up in resistance masquerading as treading the righteous path. But eventually light often prevails.
Oba Ghandi definitely has his imperfections but an agenda in the mould of Christianization or targeting or weakening Islam isn’t one of them. It’s indeed amusing to accuse him of such bland pursuit. Former presidents in Nigeria both Christians and Muslims have been accused of Christianization and Islamization agenda respectively, in fact the present administration that features Muslim – Muslim ticket was feared would roll out Islamization agenda vigorously, but none has been found guilty of it. So, if wielders of powers at the national level did not touch it with a long pole, will an Oba explore such bound – to – fail campaign? I believe it’s just a word chosen to massage their fancy.
