The title of Balogun is a very important position in the traditional institution in Yorubaland. It’s a coveted seat that people tussle hard to get in the olden days and the occupant is expected to be courageous and powerful among other qualities.
The Balogun is known as the Warlord or what is known in today’s Military setting as Defence Minister. Among other functions, Balogun was saddled with the responsibility of defending a town from both internal and external aggression and also led other fighters to war where they battle against enemies of their land.
Although, Baloguns don’t go to war anymore because towns no longer go to battles nowadays in Yorubaland like they did in the past, as there’s is relative peace and harmony among them. Yet, the title still commands same respect and honour like in the olden days, such that whenever someone is to be installed as Balogun in Yorubaland, there’s so much glitz, pageantry, glamour, royalties and cultural razzmatazz on display.
This was the same scenario that played out for almost two weeks when a new Balogun was installed in Ikorodu Kingdom recently.
The new Balogun, Chief Rotimi Noah, an America trained Ikorodu indigene, is from the Noah Kalejaye (Patako Efon) Ruling House of Ikorodu, which is one of the five houses that are entitled to the Balogunship in Ikorodu.
The other houses are: Jayesinmi House, Otambala House, Ogunlade Ajako House and Ilo House.
Chief Noah is succeeding late Chief Dawodu Ilo who was the last Balogun of Ikorodu from the Ilo House.
INSTALLATION PROPER AT OSUGBO
As expected, the installation ceremony for a Balogun is one that is full of traditional rites because it’s a key traditional position.
In Ikorodu, the trio of the Osugbo cult, Wonparis and traditional drummers usually play leading roles in the installation rites for Balogun of Ikorodu.
On Tuesday, May 26, 2022, the traditional rites for Chief Noah kicked off at the Osugbo cult in Ajina where he was formally installed as the Balogun of Ikorodu.
As early as 8am on that day, members of the Osugbo cult had started trooping into the venue in their traditional regalia which was wrapped to their waist while the upper region of their body was left bare chested.
Also, guests and well-wishers also arrived the venue early enough and sat under the canopy erected directly opposite the Osugbo cult building, as they awaited the arrival of the new Chief.
At exactly 11.24 am, a loud sound of gunshot heralded the triumphant arrival of Chief Noah at the Osugbo cult. He was led to the venue by family members and others who were dressed in blue t-shirts and fez-caps which carried the picture of the new Balogun, as well as a team of Ikorodu traditional drummers led by their Chairman, Hadji (Chief) Kazim Ganiu-Sanni, a veteran journalist and Deputy Editor in Chief of Oriwu Sun Newspapers.
A few minutes after his arrival, the installation rites took off under the supervision of Chief Kareen Ore, Apena of Ikorodu.
The rites included kolanuts breaking, prayers while a leaf (Akoko leaf) was also tied to Chief Noah’s head with a white cloth as part of the rites.
Afterwards, he was led inside the Osugbo cult building for a more behind the close door rites and was later led back outside for the concluding part of the rites.
Some few minutes later, the installation rite was completed and family members, guests and well-wishers joined Chief Noah to give out money (Owo Origba) to the traditionalists to appreciate them while there was a marathon photograph session between the new Balogun, the Osugbo cult members, family members, guests and others at the event.
From the Osugbo cult, the new Balogun was led by the traditional drummers, Wonparis and a crowd of family members and residents, amidst songs and dance, to the family houses of past Baloguns and notable places where he paid homage and offer prayers before moving to his own family house (Balogun Kalejaye House) in Itunwaye, Ikorodu, for the continuation of the celebration of his installation ceremony.
RITES BY TRADITIONAL DRUMMERS
The installation ceremony continued two days later as the traditional drummers began their own marathon rites for the new Balogun at his ancestral place in Itunwaye. The rites, which involved libation pouring, kolanut breaking and prayers, were held at interval for almost a week, starting from Saturday, May 28, 2022 and ended on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at the same place.
RECEPTION AT IKORODU TOWN
On Friday, June 3, 2022 the installation ceremony climaxed with a reception party at the Ikorodu town hall where Chief Noah, supported by his agelessly beautiful wife and family members, hosted friends, guests and well-wishers, most of whom were decked in a uniform Ankara Aso-ebi which was specially chosen for the event.
Chief Noah and his family proved they are good hosts as there were more than enough food and drinks to go round.
The new Balogun also took time out to move round to greet and acknowledge cheers from the gathering. He also stormed the dance floor in the company of his wife where they were entertained by a female Juju musician.
The couple were later joined by guests and wellwishers who sprayed them naira notes while the party went on deep into the night before curtain was drawn.
Among the dignitaries at the party were Aremo Adeniyi Ogunsanya, Chief Monzor Olowosago, Publisher, Oriwu Sun, Mr. Toyin Gafaar Bolowotan, Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, and Chief (Mrs) Folake Shonubi, Iyalode of Ikorodu, and others.
Also, the Staff of Office of the Ayangbure of Ikorodu was brought to the event by the traditional chiefs and Erelus, to represent Oba Kabiru Shotobi who was away in the United Kingdom.
No doubt, the installation ceremony was an historic and remarkable outing that would linger in the minds of those that witnessed it for a long time.
INTERVIEW
Meanwhile, in an interview with Oriwu Sun, Chief Noah expressed his gratitude to God for granting him the grace to be counted worthy of the Balogun position by his family members and also thanked Oba Kabiru Shotobi, Ayangbure of Ikorodu, the traditional institution and entire people of Ikorodu for accepting his choice for the coveted position.
He said that he plans to use his reign to ensure that peace reigns in Ikorodu and promised to work gloves in hands with the police and other security agencies in this regard.
Chief Noah also said that youths are at centre of the plans and promised to engage them positively in order to discourage them from involving in cultism and other criminal activities.
While stating that he’s well-grounded in tradition of the land, he said that his status as an ‘Americana’ would not come in his way to live up to the expectations as a traditional chief, adding that he looks forward to working with other traditional chiefs to further to promote and preserve Ikorodu traditional institution.
The new Balogun also called for support from family members and people of Ikorodu in making his reign successful.
