Moguniseja of Mobalufon Designate Pays Courtesy Visit to His Traditional Cousin, the Moogosu of Ibido-Ogbo
By Mebude Obafemi, Igboro Lawa News Desk
The Moguniseja of Mobalufon and the Moogosu of Ibido-Ogbo are traditional cousins, bound by ancestry and long-standing custom. The Moguniseja traces his lineage to Agba-Iwa, while both the Awujale of Ijebuland and the Moogosu of Ibido-Ogbo descend from Olu-Iwa, placing the stools within the same ancestral family.
By established Ijebu custom, once an Awujale is crowned, he is forbidden from seeing the Moguniseja face-to-face or entering Mobalufon, and the same restriction applies to the Moogosu. This rule, which remains in force to this day, reflects the unique ritual standing attached to the Moguniseja’s office and the sanctity of Mobalufon.
It is within this historical framework that Omọba Oyebowale Ilumọka, Moguniseja-Designate of Mobalufon, led a delegation of elders and chiefs to pay a traditional courtesy visit to his cousin, Oba-Elect Temitope Oyekunle Oyenuga, the Moogosu of Ibido-Ogbo, during the Ilete rites. The visit reaffirmed ancient kinship, respect for ancestral boundaries, and the continuity of customs that have guided relations among these kindred stools for generations.
A Visit Rooted in Ancestral Protocol
Eyewitnesses described the visit as dignified, symbolic, and deeply steeped in Ijebu cultural codes. The Moguniseja-Designate arrived with a modest but respected entourage of chiefs, family elders, and traditional aides, all clad in traditional attire that reflected both status and humility before ancestral rites.
According to a palace aide present at the scene, the visit was “not merely ceremonial, but a deliberate reaffirmation of ancestral bonds that predate modern political or administrative structures.”
“What we witnessed was history speaking to itself,” said Chief Adewale Ogunleye, one of the elders present. “These stools are not strangers to each other. They are branches of the same ancestral tree. The visit was a reminder that tradition still guides our relationships.”
Respecting Boundaries, Honouring Kinship
Observers noted that the meeting strictly followed customary protocol, reflecting the ancient taboos governing the three stools. Elders present reportedly ensured that the visit did not violate any sacred restrictions associated with the offices.
Chief Sikiru Oyenuga, an elderly chief from Ibido-Ogbo, explained:
“In Ijebu tradition, there are relationships that must be respected beyond ordinary friendship. The Moguniseja, the Awujale, and the Moogosu share a sacred lineage. That is why certain physical encounters are forbidden after coronation. It is not a sign of division, but of reverence for spiritual order.”
Symbolism During the Ilete Rites
The timing of the visit during the Ilete rites added further cultural significance. The rites, regarded as a crucial phase in the installation process, are traditionally marked by visits, blessings, and symbolic gestures from related stools and families.
Comrade Tunde Salami, a youth leader who witnessed the event, described the atmosphere as calm, respectful, and reflective.
“There was no noise, no politics, no drama. It was about culture, respect, and ancestry. You could feel that what was happening was bigger than the individuals involved.”
Message of Unity Among Kindred Stools
Community members and traditional stakeholders interpreted the visit as a strong signal of unity among the kindred houses of Agba-Iwa and Olu-Iwa. Many said it reinforced the idea that, despite evolving political structures, the spiritual and genealogical ties within Ijebuland remain intact.
Princess Abisola Oyenuga, a family member present, noted:
“Our forefathers established these customs for a reason. When cousins from related stools meet in this manner, it shows that tradition is still alive and guiding us.”
Continuity of Ancient Traditions
Traditional historians present at the ceremony emphasized that such visits are rare but deeply symbolic. They represent not just courtesy, but the reaffirmation of ancestral obligations and mutual respect among royal lineages.
Pa Daniel Adesanya, a palace historian, summarized the event:
“What happened today is a quiet but powerful statement—that even in modern times, the old customs still command respect. The bond between these stools is older than memory, and today, that bond was honoured.”
The courtesy visit by the Moguniseja-Designate to the Moogosu of Ibido-Ogbo during the Ilete rites thus stood as a living expression of Ijebu heritage—where kinship, ritual boundaries, and ancestral respect continue to shape the conduct of traditional institutions.
