The paramount ruler of Ibadanland said this while addressing the Yoruba Obas Forum ahead of its conference holding on Monday (tomorrow).
Oba Balogun made the call at the ancient Aliiwo Palace while playing host to the delegates of the Forum, consisting of its executive and other notable members who paid him a courtesy visit.
The Olubadan received members of the Forum alongside his Balogun, Osi Olubadan, Ashipa Balogun, Ekerin Olubadan and Ekerin Balogun namely, Obas Owolabi Olakulehin, Eddy Oyewole, Kolawole Adegbola, Hamidu Ajibade and Dada Isioye, respectively
Oba Balogun spoke through his brother and Baba Kekere Olubadan, Dr. Senator Kola Balogun who is the immediate past lawmaker representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate.
He said, as the closest institution to the people at the grassroots, members of the traditional institution are playing very significant roles bothering on security, economy and the general welfare of the people.
Olubadan commended the Forum, said to have been in existence since 2019, and charged it to avoid the pitfalls of a similar forum formed in 1944 but which had for a long time gone into extinction.
He equally stressed the need for the Forum to deliberate on the pull-him -down syndrome that is fastly becoming the pastime of the Yoruba people.
He said the syndrome is more pronounced among the younger generation which believes not in the established Yoruba norm of respect for elders and those in authority.
“This Forum has a huge task and I pray that God and our ancestors will see you through,” Olubadan added.
Earlier in his remark, President of the Forum and Molokun of Atijere, Oba Samuel Adeoye, said it came into existence to foster unity among the obas in Yorubaland.
He added that it was also established to pursue the goals of living peacefully, adding that, since its formation in 2019, it has been performing the expected roles.
Oba Adeoye recalled that the forum had been used to settle dispute among brother obas and also played significant roles in addressing the menace of herdsmen.
He said: “We were in the forefronts of the struggle to free our people from the intruders subjecting our people to harrowing and we are grateful to our governors for their support in that regard.”
Oba Adeoye said the Forum also noted that there is a serious threat to the culture, tradition and language of the Yoruba which all should be concerned about.
He went further to say that the Forum “has also taken cognizance of the effect of the downward trend with the aim of addressing it.”
Other members of the Forum on the visit were Oba AbdulRazak Adebayo, Olukotun of Ikotun-Ile (Secretary General), Oba Asunmo Ganiyu Aderibigbe, Alayandelu of Odo-Ayandelu (PRO) and Oba Dr. Micheal Ajayi, Elerinmo of Erinmo (Admin).
Also present were Oba Dr. Abodunrin Kofoworola, Aare Alawo Ekun of Ago-Aare, Oba Dr. Adeoye Gbenga Tunji, Aare Alawo-Ekun of Ofiki and Oba Williams Olusegun Ayeni.
Others were Olujumu Ijumu Kingdom, Oba Kazeem Gbadamoshi, Ologijo of Ogijo, Oba Jacob Dairo, Olasole of Lasoleland and Oba Olumuyiwa Ogunbekun, Onileki of Lekkiland.
