How I joined Brazilian couple using thunder stone – Obasanjo
CHIGOZIE AMADI
Ex-President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Tuesday, urged Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, not to grow weary, but to continue developing every part of the state, as such efforts would continue to have positive impacts on the Yoruba race in general.
Obasanjo, who said Osun occupies a unique place in Yoruba history, being a state that has Ile-Ife, the cradle of the race in its fold, asserted that the development experience in the state would confer honour on the Yoruba people wherever they are found.
Speaking shortly before he inaugurated the Old Garage-Ike Fia-Lameco Dual carriage way in Osogbo, one of the projects being used to commemorate the second anniversary of Adeleke in office, Obasanjo recalled how in far away Brazil during a visit to a city called Bahia he saw Yoruba people, who were still holding on to their culture.
The ex-Nigerian leader said while in Brazil he met a couple who requested him to join them in marriage with Sango deity, adding that to accomplish the task, he had to ask that thunder stone be sent to him from Nigeria, which he used to join the couple.
“When I arrived here, you told me about the pensioners owed by the previous governments that you have paid their entitlements, the advice I want to give you is that you should continue as you are doing.
“What you are elected for is to make live easier for Osun people and that is what you are doing. May God help you. Those who have been governors before you have written their own history and you are also writing yours now. I want to assure you that I will always support you in whatever you do.
“Osun State is very special among other Yoruba-speaking states. Ile-Ife, which is the cradle of Yoruba race, is in Osun and that is why the work you are doing in Osun is for all the Yoruba race.
“When I went to Brazil, a man and wife wanted to be joined in marriage according to Sango deity way, and they asked me to conduct the wedding for them. I told them I didn’t know anything about the ‘Sango’ way of joining couple. But I called home (Nigeria) and requested for thunder stones.
“When I got hold of the objects, I put the thunder stones on the table and I called the name of God to bless the marriage. The couple now have two children. Yoruba people are everywhere in the world,” Obasanjo said in Yoruba language.
Commenting further on Adeleke’s performance in two years, Obasanjo noted significant improvement in infrastructural amenities in the state and urged Adeleke to continue developing every part of the state.
In his remarks, Adeleke, who recalled how the late Asiwaju of Osogbo, Ajadi Badmus, supported his idea to transform the state capital, and subsequently named the dual carriage Abdulfatai Adekilekun Ajadi Badmus Road in honour of the late community leader.
