……RESPECT IS GERMANE TO BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS.
A revered king in Ondo North Senatorial District, HRM Oba Ilufemiloye Muri Adefemi, Ajiboye II, the Olugbe of Ugbe Akoko has disclosed that respect is an ingredient to building lasting relationships especially with people outside their comfort zone.
According to the monarch, youths should learn to honour and respect elders, especially the traditional institution, wherever they find themselves as it will steer positive attention towards them.
The traditional ruler made the disclosure while delivering lecture on Cultures and Traditions of the Yorubas to the 2023 Batch ‘B’ (Stream II) corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko.
In his words, he posited that youths have insatiable desires to develop their potentials anywhere fate led them.
The monarch who was represented by the High Chief in the Kingdom, Otunba Oluwole Remilekun Babasanya added that they should study their new found environment perfunctorily so as not to be on head-on-collision with the custodians of the land.
“Gentlemen corps members, I want to welcome you to Ondo State and Akoko North East Local Government and to congratulate you for coming this far in your academic pursuit which could be regarded as a stepping stone towards becoming what you desire in life.
“In achieving life goals, you need to possess some characteristics or attitude that will be beneficial to you in the long run. Yorubas just like any other culture cherishes people who respect them and I want to warn you to always respect any elderly person you come across in your various communities”.
Delving into historical perspective, the custodian of culture and traditions of the Ugbe Kingdom said that corps members should not visit any place forbidden for strangers and visitors as this has grave implications to their well-being.
“In scientific terms, every law or statute has exemption but this is not applicable to that of culture. Once you have been forewarned not to be seen or found in a secluded place, I want to appeal to you to take to that sacrosanct advise” he said.
He told the very corps members that dressing in Yoruba land depicts virtue which they should try as much to emulate.
“There is a saying that when you are in Rome, you behave like Romans. I want to admonish the responsible youths who the society sees as ambassadors of the Federal Government to learn the way of life of their host communities and integrate properly into their ways of life”.
“Greetings is part of the norms that Yorubas hold dearly. Whenever you meet with people, especially the elderly ones, it is expected that you will greet them with courtesies according to the time of the day or season. You will warm yourselves into the hearts of the natives and citizens if it is discovered that you accord them honour especially in the public.
“Every society has its own culture with distinct similarities and differences but integration should be promoted among the members of the service corps and their host. Learn to eat their food, speak their language and most importantly do not over-step your bounds as this will help you navigate the service year successfully”.
The Kabiyesi Olugbe of Ugbe expressed the generosity of the town through donation of fabrics to some corps members and camp officials.
The Ondo State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani who was impressed with the quality of the lecture delivered, lauded the delivery and the mastery of appropriate illustrations by the king. She confessed that she is looking forward to having him again in the nearest future to interact with the corps members.
The State Coordinator before the commencement of the lecture charged the corps members to create enough space to learn new things about the community that most of them are visiting for the first time.
