The OlorisaParapoAgbaye in the Badagry Division of Lagos State has come out fully against the attempted misinformation about the recent title of Obalefun conferred on Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

The traditionalists argued that those who are carrying the misinformation about say a non-Yoruba cannot be conferred with the title – though correct – is not only an insinuation that is erroneous but also smacks of attempt to impossibly malign the personality of the doing well architect as, according to them, “if Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour had not been a true Yoruba blood, the crown of Obalefun he wears would since have become a burden on him.”

They said Gbadebo is a bonafide son of the soil, not only of Yoruba land but also a thorough indigene of Lagos State from one of the IBILE Divisions of Lagos Island in the Oke Popo area.

It would be recalled that the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, was crowned the Obalefun of Ijo OlorisaParapo because of the certainty of knowledge that he is a Yoruba son.
Questions have been asked as to the meaning of the title conferred on the vibrant, youthful leader and the type of people entitled to such a crown.

It was gathered that the main reason for the decision of the core deciders of the customs and traditions in the Ijo OlorisaParapo to crown the “brilliant and very highly professional architectural expert, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour”, with the Obalefun title and Peace Ambassador of the Isese establishment is in his belief and support for Yoruba culture and traditional practice.

They said the crown is not an all-comer affair except for the verified true blood of Yoruba, who also dedicates all his life to the cause of Yoruba progress.

According to Head of Olobatala in Ogun State, Abiodun Oloyede, who is also known as ‘Ifa White’, other qualifications that make a person entitled to Obalefun include anyone Yoruba son who has appeased Ifa (oracle), and his Ifa allows for Obatala appeasement.

He said such a person could be called Obalefunand also be addressed as Oba Aala.

In his own words, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour said: “Yoruba culture is an integral part of good character called Omoluabi, which is connected to a good name, meaning standing on one’s word, and being a good person in the society.

“Apart from this, Yoruba culture is also about learning and knowing language. This is why many of us, especially my generation up till today, many Yoruba children cannot speak Yoruba.”