In Abeokuta, Marwa Tests Popularity in S/West
Penultimate weekend, the ancient city of Abeokuta, literally, stood still, as Alake of Egbaland, Oba Oyebade Lipede conferred Chieftancy titles, on the former (rtd) Administrator of Lagos State, Brig-Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa, and his wife, Munirat, reports Toba Suleiman
The atmosphere was colourful and had all the attributes of a political gathering. There were groups of people in various uniformed cloths and caps to match, apparently to differentiate which group a particular person belongs. Besides that, King Sunny Ade, the Musician and master guitarist entertained the crowd with Juju Musician.
The occassion was the conferment of chieftaincy titles of Soludero on the former Administrator of both Borno and Lagos States, Rtd Brig-General, Mohammed Buba Marwa.
He was not alone in this hall of fame, at the venue, as his wife, Munirat was equally at the Ake's palace on this glorious day, Saturday August 14, 2004 to receive the royal blessings of the Alake and the paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Mofolorunso Oyebade Lipede who also conferred on her, the chieftaincy title of Erelu Soludero of Egbaland.
Either by design or coincidence, the occassion fell within the period that Oba Lipede and the entire Egba people were still in the joyous mood of the monarch's 32nd Coronation anniversary as the Alake of Egbaland.
Usually, the celebration always throw the Egba people into a frenzy as virtually everyone in the city is involved in the activities that always last for not less than one month.
It is true that Marwa has not openly or officially declared his ambition for 2007 presidential elections, but the ceremony created a visible platform for various groups and associations which have been working towards his presidential aspiration.
Of course, the presence at the occassion of personalities across the six geo-political zones of the federation with a huge number of worthy personalities from the South-west zone confirmed the acceptability of Marwa by the people, especially the Nigerian Youths.
The presence of personalities, groups or organisations that added colour to the ceremony include Marwa Movement of Nigeria and Overseas Ogun State chapter, headed by Elder Olabode Kayode, National Traders and Marketers Leaders Council of Nigeria led by its National President and Founder, Mrs. Adetutu Odunsi from Lagos, the Egba Lawa Market Women, Ogun State led by Iyalode of Egbaland, Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson and the Nigeria European Democratic Movement for Buba Marwa 2007 Forum led by its Coordinator, Otunba Wale Ariyibi
The roll call at the carnival like occasion also include several Egba high chiefs which was also graced by other who-is-who within and outside the shores of the country including Chief Richard Akinjide Balogun, Aare of lbadanland and his wife, Kolaba Iyalode of Egba land
The British High Commissioner, Martins Shearman, Political Officer, British High Commission, John Sharp, Former Military Administrator of Ogun state, Col. Daniel Akintonde, former Military Administrator Of Osun State, Col Bamgboye and Sarkin Kaudan Zazzau Hon Barrister Abdul Rassaq Ismail, Hon Ibrahim Saruna, member, Kano State House of Assembly and Alhaji Ganiyu, Oguntoyinbo President-General, Yoruba in the North, Former APP National Chairman Chief Alani Bankole, Senator Bala Adamu, Senator Vincent Usulor and several others from both within and outside the country.
Before the installation proper, by Egba tradition, the chiefs, the Ogbonis, market women, religious groups paid traditional homage to honour the Alake of Egabland, during which the purpose of the gathering was introduced to the monarch, who had been on his seat as early as 10 am.
The conferment of Soludero title on Marwa, would be the third time that he (Marwa) would receive Alake's royal blessing.
Last year when the title was first announced he was blessed, Friday August 13, the day before the D-Day, when Marwa paid a courtesy call on Alake, he was also blessed, and he was again adequately blessed by the Alake who at 89 is still full of life.
While addressing the jubilant crowd, Oba Lipede noted that Egba people have a rich culture which the people are very proud of. According to him, the focal point of this culture is the chieftaincy institution whose structure he said was hierarchical.
In the address, read on his behalf by the Seriki of Egbaland and the Secretary-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Dr. Lateef Adegbite, Alake who was described as the paramount ruler stands at the apex of the Egba Chieftaincy institution.
According to him, this is followed by other traditional rulers, then the general title chiefs, who are members of the chieftaincy committee.
"Next are other general title chiefs who may be honourary or religious (christian, muslim and african traditional religionists). At the bottom of the pyramid are the township chiefs from various quarters who number in thousands".
Speaking further, the monarch explained that there are other specialised chieftaincy titles to which specific areas of operations are attached such as those relating to commerce and industry.
"Due recognition is also accorded to women in chieftaincy matters. Thus women chiefs are appointed at both general and township levels" he said, adding that the cadres include, Iyalode, Iyalaje and Iyaloja and those below them respectively.
He added that by Egba tradition, only the Alake confers titles on non-Egbas and where another Oba or a traditional title chief desires to confer a title on a non Egba, he must obtain a clearance from the Alake.
While conferring titles of Soludero and Erelu Soludero conferred on Marwa and his wife respectively, in their proper context, Oba Lipede described the titles as honourary.
"These are the type conferred on those who have distinguished themselves through service to the community or the nation, or in their chosen careers," Alake said.
Alake, who has been enjoying adequate respect and honour for not being frivolous with Egba chieftaincy titles in the last 32 years on the throne described Marwa as lucky and a fortunate recipient of Egba titles.
"We are therefore, honouring retired Brig - General Buba Marwa for the outstanding contributions he had made to the development of the Nigerian nation, in the Military and Civil sectors.
"He once headed Administration of two states; his tenure in Lagos being the better known,"Alake said.
According to the royal father, Marwa, while in Lagos, discharged his duties meritoriously and with commendable fairness. He stressed that Egba indigenes inhabit Lagos in large number, while many who do not even live there have large business and vast properties therein.
The monarch, who reflected on some contributions of Marwa to the development of Egba kingdom, especially in the area of education, disclosed that in recent time, the retired General has been involved in developmental work in Egbaland through his foundation.
Specifically, Alake stated that, "for example, he (Marwa) is right now reconstructing and modernising a primary school in Abeokuta".
Oba Lipede did not stop at that. He maintained that Marwa is indeed no stranger to Abeokuta, "having spent his early years in this city where he undertook his primary education when his father was serving in the Nigerian Army, then known as the Royal Regiment. Thus Buba is truly Omowale".
"We are in a sense honouring one of our own, who had gone out to the world and returned as a conqueror.
"We are confident that he would live up to the unique title of Soludero being conferred on him, by contributing to the transformation of our domain into a land full of milk and honey, peace and prosperity.
While praying, for God's protection and guardian, Oba Lipede said "I wish my new Chiefs Soludero and Erelu Soludero every success in their future endeavours".
In his acceptance speech, the new Egba Chiefs, (Marwa) said that it was with all sense of humility that "we consider ourselves highly privileged to be honoured with such array of personalities as witnessed here today for the conferment of the chieftaincy titles of Soludero and Erelu Soludero on me and my wife respectively by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Oyebade Lipede".
"This indeed is a uniquely historic day for me and my family, a day that will forever remain indelible in our memories, and for which we give the Almighty all the glory".
Marwa declared that words cannot adequately capture and express the depth of his gratitude and appreciation to all that made the day a reality.
He recalled how his criss-crossing the length and breadth of the country with members of The Buba Marwa Endowment team brought him to Abeokuta earlier in the year.
"Little did I know that a monumental and indeed pleasant surprise awaited me and my team," Marwa stated.
Describing the conferment of the title, Soludero as being specially significance to him in several ways, Marwa stressed that the title by its meaning and connotation symbolise the ideas and principles that "I cherish, have stood for and promoted all my entire life."
"Aside coming from a highly revered and respected institution, which has kept its credibility and sanctity intact over countries, the title by its meaning and connotation symbolises the ideals and principles that I cherish, have stood for and promoted all my entire life".
He said he would strive to promote, encourage and accentuate those values that engender greater good for the greater number of the people.
"As citizens of a country blessed with abundant human and material resources, we owe it as a duty to our God and ourselves to ensure that Nigerians irrespective of origin, tribe, religion or social background subscribe to an acceptable minimum standard of living beyond which we should not regret.
"It is my belief that what has been responsible for the non-realisation of this lofty objective are the misdeeds of the past as a nation and people and our inability to formulate enduring policies.
"We also had the misfortune of having a leadership lacking in patriotism, focus and political will to see changes through corruption and lack of transparency in our public life further led us to the morass in which we found ourselves by 1999 when the fourth attempt at democracy effectively commenced.
While lauding the coming into power of President Olusegun Obasanjo, Marwa said he has no doubt that Obasanjo is committed to rescuing the nation from the abyss in which it found itself and placed her in a rightful place in the comity of nations.
"The peace, tranquility, respect for democratic tenets and the rule of law testify eloquently to the positive spirit and disposition of the Obasanjo government", Marwa said.
He called on Nigerians not to leave the responsibility to government alone. "Elimination of Poverty, creation of wealth, economic and political transformation is our collective responsibility as Nigerians".
According to him, the title of Soludero was a fresh reminder and renewal of what he considered as his calling and commitment to making life more comfortable to "my fellow men to the best of my abilities".
"I want to assure you all that I do not intend to relent in my efforts in this direction, rather, this title has fired my zeal to increase the tempo of my commitment and determination", Marwa maintained.
While expressing gratitude to the royal father for the honour bestowed on him, Marwa assured Oba Lipede and members of the Egba Traditional Council that he will remain a worthy ambassador of the Egba Kingdom for the rest of "my entire life" Marwa who said he would be up and doing, promised to meet the responsibilities placed on him by the conferment of the title, which he said he would hold in high esteem.
Speaking in an interview with THISDAY over the conferment, Coordinator of the Nigerian-European Democratic Movement of Buba Marwa 2007, Otunba Wale Aribiyi described it as a worthy honour.
According to him, the conferment of the chieftaincy the would further spur Marwa to do what he believes in, "that is service to humanity".
He explained that the group numbering over 300 across nine countries in Europe and some of whom are indigenes of Ogun State gathered themselves together to rally round Marwa to realise his 2007 presidential ambition.
Describing Marwa as young, transparent and honest, Aribiyi noted that among those being touted as presidential aspirants in 2007, he still remains the only one with excellent track record.
Born in Kaduna in 1953, Marwa went to Primary school in Enugu, Zaria, Abeokuta and Lagos between 1960-65. He attended the Nigerian Military School, Zaria and subsequently completed a regular course at the Nigerian Defence Academy from where he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Recce Corps (NARC)
He holds two Master Degrees from some of the best Universities in the World. At Harvard University's John F Kennedy School of Government, Marwa bagged Master of Public Administration Degree.
In Borno and Lagos States, where he held sway respectively, Marwa left indelible records in people's minds.
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