On Sunday, December 31, 2000 at 6:40:45 PM UTC+1, jojo wrote:

GUARDIAN
Sunday, December 31, 2000
What Has The Church Got To Do With Ogboni?

The Reformed Ogboni Fraternity (ROF) was formed by a reverend gentleman in 1914. Dickson Adeyanju traces the origin of this society which is looked upon
with suspicion by non-members, and shows its enduring allure for clergymen and
other professed Christians.

MORE than any other factor, nationalistic instincts may have motivated the formation of the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity (ROF) by the late Venerable Thomas
Adesina Jacob Ogunbiyi. The ROF was launched on December 18, 1914 at an impressive ceremony at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Ebute Ero in central Lagos.

By then, the British colonial government had frowned at the running of the local governments particularly in Yorubaland by what could be termed the Ogboni Mafia. In 1892, the Ogboni Fraternity in Ijebu-Ode was banned by the colonialists while they equally dismantled the Ogboni supremacy in Abeokuta by
compelling the Egbas to form the Egba United Government in 1898.

The clergyman saw the gradual erosion of the age-long institution of government in parts of Yoruba land as a tool by the colonial government to suppress the nationalist aspirations of Nigerians. which was why he founded the ROF. It was a modernised version of the Ogboni Aborigines, and effectively
became a counterfoil to the Freemason which was being used by the colonialist
to stifle nationalist agitations.

in this endeavour Ogunbiyi was later to be assisted by other Nigerians, including the late Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, former Chief Justice of Nigeria who
later served as the Olori Oluwo (Supreme head) of the organisation for over 40
years. Also in the team were Dr. O. Obasa, Rev. W.B. Euba, M.S. Cole, Sir Adeyemo Alakija and Chief Oladeinde Lawson, among others.

Those who gathered under the canopy of the ROF were unhappy with the ceaseless
attacks of the clergy and other Christians who belonged to the traditional Ogboni fraternity which had existed as part of the Yoruba culture since the sixteen century.

It was recognised by Ogunbiyi and his co-founders that complaint over certain
aspects of the operations of the society did not make it popular.

Available literature on the early beginnings of the ROF shows that parts of its objectives include the worship of God with binding oaths and equally enforce the moral code of Christians in genuine brotherhood.

Many other Christians could not be convinced of the intentions of Ogunbiyi who
was then the highest ranking Nigerian in the Anglican communion. Bishops Tugwell and Oluwole led this crusade and Ogunbiyi's ordination licence was withdrawn. He opted out of Holy Trinity Church in Ebute-Ero and founded his own Archdeacon T.A.J. Ogunbiyi Anglican Church in Ikeja. The large compound up
till today houses the headquarters of ROF and the church. Ogunbiyi licence was, however, restored by Archbishop L.G. Vining and he returned to Holy Trinity Church where his burial service was held on July 25, 1952.

There are those who still commend Ogunbiyi's efforts to infuse the Christian ethics into the practices of the traditional Ogboni society. It was then called Ogboni Onigbagbo (Christian Ogboni) and the leaders said it was derived
from the book of Prophet Ezekiel chapter 23 verse 23 which in Yoruba Bible read awon Ogboni ti Oni Okiki (great and renowned lords). The rank of its membership quickly rose particularly among the members of the clergy priests from mostly the Anglican, Catholic, Methodist and Baptist Churches embraced the ROF.

The ideals for which it was formed were convincing enough to attract notable clerics such as the late Archbishop Vining after whom the Anglican Cathedral of the Lagos West diocese in Ikeja was named. He joined along with another Scottish missionary, Rev. W.F. Macllor.

Among the traditional African Churches, it is well entrenched and according to
one of the priests, the African Church in purging it of the influences of the
traditional Ogboni such as late night meetings and being engaged in fetish things.

At meetings, procedures are conducted in the manner of a church service where
Christian hymns are sung and prayers offered. To many of the priests who still
belong to it, it is just an extension of their church services particularly on
Sundays.

However, the growing disdain for secret societies has almost robbed the ROF of
its laudable objectives of making a just and perfect society. The society is one of those listed by almost every church as a secret society and their members barred from joining it. This view is being championed by the radical elements within these churches.

In the Methodist Church for example the radical Methodist Evangelical Movement
is opposed to it. This group protested and attempted to stop the funeral service for late Olu Holloway, the immediate past Oluwo of ROF, at the Wesley
Cathedral in Olowogbowo, Lagos on account of Holloway's membership of ROF which the group regarded as secret society.

In the same manner, the Catholic Church declined to conduct funeral mass for the first indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria, Sir Adetokunbo Ademola when he
died. Rather, the Church explained after much criticism that what was done for
him was merely a Bible service-two readings from the scripture, a talk and then prayers. The corpse was not accompanied to the cemetery by any priest.

Although it is hard to establish, it was generally believed that Sir Adetokunbo's membership of ROF deprived him of the Knighthood of the church, even as a devoted member. He was knighted rather by the Queen of England. Catholic Church lists, ROF as one of the "Secret societies'' which are not allowed in the church.

Inspite of such cold reception the membership of ROF has over the years kept on growing among the clergy of these notable churches. However, their membership are kept top secret. Many of them according to investigations by The Guardian On Sunday believe that if priests such as the late Ogunbiyi and Vining could be members, there is nothing wrong with their membership of ROF.

"If you read the history of these men, they are upright and dedicated to their
callings. If they could volunteer to belong to ROF, it means they must have seen some good things in the organisation. Although it has been along time now, some of their practices must have changed which make the outside world to
see them as being a secret society, but some priests are still convinced about
the principles of the society. Such membership is jealously guided. It must not be known or exhibited in any way,'' a fairly old and experienced Anglican
priest told The Guardian On Sunday.

Faced with the criticism of large membership in the ROF, the former Primate of
the Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Joseph Adetitoye adopted a system which he said would stem the growing membership.

Before a meeting of either the Bishops, the priests or the laity, every one takes oath of not belonging to any secret society or to renounce such a membership. This practice is religious adhered to.

This is also applicable to the Methodist who has even taken a more critical step by denying such people known to belong to the society burial rites.

The Baptist at a conference in Jos in the 1980s in a move ofpurging itself of
the allegation of its members being in secret societies called for a renunciation by all those who participated in the Jos convention. Those who could not make the renunciation opted out of the main Baptist body.

The ROF has a constitution that regulates its actions. Membership is also limited to those who profess Islam or Christianity.

As stated in the constitution, it is established to promote universal fatherhood of God ñ the all seeing eyeñand the universal brotherhood of man;
to encourage charity and chastity; to assist members who are poor or in distress; to uphold the injunction 'do unto others as you may wish they do unto you.'

Sir Adetokunbo who was the head for over 40 years, in an interview shortly before his death in 1993 absolved the society of secrecy.

"I'm in the ROF and it is quite different from the local Ogboni. There was nothing bad about ROF. Nothing at all. People just condemn it without having access to facts... we believe that Africa has its own culture which should not
be destroyed but rather should be nurtured to complement what ever religious faith that members might have embraced,'' the eminent jurist said.

To enforce its openness, members of the society, according to the late Holloway, are not permitted to hold meetings in any part of the world after 7pm. He said the society does not also dabble into politics and it keeps its affairs to itself.

One of the clergy who could only openly identify with ROF in the public was Rev. S.C. Sopein, the Primate of the United Spiritual Church of Nigeria.

At an interdenominational service for Sir Adetokunbo at Ake Palace 'before his
burial in February 1993, Sopein denounced those who see ROF as a secret society.

The fraternity, the Primate noted, like any other religious sects sought to teach people to see the light and lead people to obtain everlasting joy.

Notable Nigerians leaders such as the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, late Ooni of Ife, Oba Oladapo Ademola; late Ladoke Akintola and most
Yoruba Obas are associated with the fraternity.

One of the many wars it has to battle is a Bill now being debated in the National Assembly which seeks to ban all those who belong to secret societies
from holding public office. ROF along with some other societies has petitioned
the National Assembly over the proposed Bill. The outcome of the debate will once again re-define the public perception of the fraternity.
Perceptions Of Ogboni

By

Lekan Fadeyi

"THE Egba Ogboni is an assembly of important chiefs who are in charge of administration and ensure good governance in Egbaland. They settle and adjudicate matters while maintaining law and order. So to say that the Ogboni
is a secret cult is a gross misrepresentation."

That statement by the late Apena of Egbaland, Chief Toye Coker (SAN) though coined in good prose and sublime imagery, represent a ready defence given by an average member of Ogboni fraternity on its status which to many non-members
is a secret society to be avoided.

In some parts of the country like the Igbomina speaking part of Kwara State, whoever is in Ogboni is seen as harbouring devilish thoughts and capable of harming others. There is the general belief that whoever is a member donates either his or her child or loved ones at appointed intervals.

It is believed that when you greet an elderly member of the sect and he places
his or her hand on your head, you are already earmarked to be enlisted into the society.

Though the Ogbonis exist in most parts of the country including that of Igbomina speaking part of Kwara, go about their businesses in secrecy.

"That is the way Ogbonis behave in the past. They are not known, you don't boast about your membership and you are not even admitted into the fold until
you are matured enough to be able to keep secret or get adequately punished for revealing secrets," explains the Olori Oluwo Ogboni Olufe, Chief Adeleke Oyenuga.

According to him, though the Ogbonis of whatever extractions are not allowed to do anything devilish, they are encouraged to stand by one another as they are taught to see themselves as brethren. Which is why they are referred to as
Omo Iya. "It is our tradition to be ever ready to assist our fellow Omo Iyas maybe that is why they say we are in a cult," he emphasised.

If Oyenuga who is also the Oluwo Alakoso of Ogboni Aborigine Fraternity of Nigeria (Ikorodu Division) is mincing words about the openness of the Ogboni,
Prince Olufunmiwa Awopeju in his book Awo Tabi Egbe Okunkun stated that all societies including government have their constitutional rights to choose venue and mode of their meetings.

"If what they are accusing us of is the oath that we swear before being initiated, all state governments have their way of swearing to oaths, all top
civil servants also do. What their problem is, is that we don't allow the non-initiators to witness all that we do, such things are practised in the churches and mosques do it too," he stated.

Asked to state when the traditional Ogboni was created, the Oluwo Ogboni Aborigine, Iledi Iyadamilola I, Imota Chief Emmanuel Olatunji Akinyemi said nobody could say when Ogboni started. "What is known about Ogboni is that they
existed before the advent of colonialism, they ruled with the Oba, they governed and adjudicated matters in traditional ways and they were so meticulous that even when the colonialists came, they found the system so formidable that they coudn't tamper with it," he explained.

Of all the different extractions of the Ogboni such as the Osugbo Ibile or Abalaye, Aborigine, Ogboni Akala, Ogboni Ogeneten, Ogboni Arapanika, Imule Ogboni, Ogboni Otufe and the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity (ROF), only the ROF has records showing that it was established by Ven. Archdeacon Thomas Adesina
Jackson Ogunbiyi on December 18, 1914.

Inspite of the Ogboni's name that is common to them all, the practices differ
along with the calibre of candidates accepted for initiation. For instance, while the ROF will not accept male members of less that 21 years of age and female members of less than 30 years of age, all other extractions may admit people of lower ages.

ROF, according to its Olori Apena Otunba David Adekunle Olaiya Adeniji, emphasises that membership shall be opened to only those who embrace faith in
God and who do not fancy being fetish as a way of life. It is not clear if others believe in this principle.

But observations by The Guardian On Sunday revealed that most members of all the extractions belong to either Christianity or Islam, indicating that their
member of Ogboni is just a way of socializing and ensuring that fraternal assistance is available when the needs arise.

When accosted on why there is no age limit for membership of the Aborigine for
example, Chief Akinyemi stated that since Moslems and Christians go to mosque
or church with their wives and children, there should be no big deal about age
limit. "Afterall, should we not take our families to worship with us?" he queried.

To Oyenuga who is also an Oluwo in the Aborigine, lack of an institutionalised
age limit for members is a disadvantage. He rationalises: "That is why the ROF
is better, they initiates only mature members who are able to keep secret and
whoever is found flouting their rules is old enough to receive punishment"

While Akinyemi saw nothing commendable in the activities of the ROF whose founder, Ogunbiyi he said reformed nothing, Oyenuga, full of praises for the first Olori Apena of ROF, Archideacon Ogunbiyi says, ROF is a role model: "I have never being a member of the ROF, I am a titled chief in all others. I have discovered that the ROF is organised. Pa Ogunbiyi achieved his aim. He founded ROF so that Aborigine will not tarnish its image and those who took over from him have maintained that stand."

However, Akinyemi questions Ogunbiyi's motive for establishing ROF saying, "he
was our Apena, he only moderated the original, he didn't want to be seen, a pastor, a reverend being a member of the Ogboni. He founded ROF to cover up. Let the ROF come up with what they have reformed."

Apart from the enmity clauses, in section 15:24a-c of the revised, re-arranged
and enlarged 1998 constitution of the ROF, the membership of the Aborigine is
discouraged for the ROF whose members are constantly encouraged to associate for the promotion of the principle of Universal Fatherhood of God ñ the All-seeing Eye, the Universal Brotherhood of man, without any discrimination as to race, colour, creed, sex, religion or political affiliation.

While section 15:24a states expressly that no member of ROF should become a member or have himself or herself initiated into the Aboriginal concave, it prescribed dismissal for defaulting members.

Despite the seeming differences in all the extractions of the Ogboni, it was observed that while supremacy is a factor that will not allow them unite to have a common identity, the Ogboni Geede or Osugbo Abalaye generally believed
to belong to the Oba's titled chiefs is unique in that its members place their
Itagbe on the right shoulder as against others, placing theirs on the left shoulders.

While bickerings exist among the various extractions, they have a common antagonist in the church. The antagonism which is total is seen as emanating from the belief that Ogbonis are fetish and anti-God. That notion still holds
especially as there are moves by some members of the House of Representatives
to proscribe the society.

In his preface to a pamphlet The church and the fraternities, the Olori Apena
of ROF, Otunba Adeniyi accused the church of adopting the pivotal and most vital commandments of love thy neighbours as thy self, in theory and teach them as a doctrine, but in actual fact fail to show convincing evidence to its
followers that they do practice them.

According to Adeniyi the fraternal societies which they termed secret societies, are reformed through doctrine, inspiration and guidance and hence faithful servants of the Supreme Ruler and Father of the Universe.

"The church is ignorant of the fact that our works are complimentary, they do
not know that we are co-workers with and progress of man," he said.

The Guardian On Sunday's observations are that the Ogbonis are particularly bothered that the church is guilty of milking their members while alive to develop the church only to be denied as soon as they are dead.

While the wound of the bitter treatment meted to the remains of Madam Ethel Finecountry on September 26, 1986 at the St. Cyprian Church, Port Harcourt has
not healed, the late Olori Oluwo, Otunba Oluwole Holloway suffered the same fate in Lagos. Holloway was considered to be so useful to the Methodist church
while alive.

The question for a long time will therefore remain why the reoccurrence of bitterness each time a Christian member of the Ogboni society passes on to the
great beyond? "We should be able to know our stand amongst them while we live
rather than for us to labour in the vineyard and be despised at the end of it
all," Otunba Abiodun Alfred Oshowole, the Olori Oluwo of the ROF argues.

Oshowole said the problem people have in defining Ogboni is the Yoruba meaning
of the word. "In the Holy scriptures, for instance, in Ezekiel 23 verse 23, the expression "Great Lords and renowned" is translated in the Yoruba version
as "Awon Ogboni ti oni okiki"

According to him, the word refers to a distinguished personage who assists in
the administration of a domain. "This is why in Yoruba towns and communities,
the highest council of chiefs comprise the Ogbonis. Holders of this title are
not fetish or idol worshipers but they are the administrators of their communities, guiding the Obas," he said.

Requested to comment on the notion that the remains of dead members are tampered with before burial, he explained that it is entrenched in their constitution that they should "see to the mortal remains of any deceased members by providing a coffin or financial assistance up to a reasonable cost
and to give his or her remains a decent deposit in the bosom of mother earth.

"If that is what our constitution enjoins us to do and we do all that in the presence of family of the deceased brethren, I wonder who would allow the remans of his or her beloved one to be mutilated," the Olori Oluwo said.

While ordering that The Guardian On Sunday be taken round all rooms, offices and temples in the international headquarters of his fraternity, Oshowole said: "We are of God and our activities are founded in the Holy scriptures. We
make good Christians better and that is what we owe Nigeria as a nation."

'ROF Is Not A Secret Society'

OTUNBA David Adekunle Olaiya Adeniji was until his retirement in 1976 a deputy
commissioner of police. Though he is close to 90 years, he is the Olori Apena
of the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity (ROF).

This position which he started occupying in 1982 has placed him second to the
Olori Oluwo of the fraternity worldwide and atop the administration of a fraternity which boasts of over 700 Iledis (branches).

Otunba Adeniji in this interview with Staff Reporter Lekan Fadeyi explains that ROF exists to aid better appreciation of God by mortals. Excerpts.

A lot of controversies have surrounded the institution of Ogboni. Would you want to tell us what the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity (ROF) is?

ROF is anything clean, holy, transparent and honourable. It doesn't have anything to do with the use of fetish means, and that has been the mode of events since that fraternity was founded in 1914, the same year that Nigeria was annalgameted, by an Anglican Archdeacon, late Thomas Adesina Jacobson Ogunbiyi. So if Nigeria is celebrating annual festival of its birth, we are also celebrating. ROF since incorporation in 1934 is reviewed every 10 years.

ROF was founded at Isale-Eko and named Christian Ogboni, but when friends and
wellwishers of Archdeacon Ogunbiyi saw and marvelled at what had been founded
ñ both male, female christians and non-christians applied to join and the society could no longer be called Christian Ogboni. That brought about its change of name to Reformed Ogboni Fraternity.

If it was established by a clergyman like you said, for church members, why the name Ogboni?

What baffles many people and even church members is the name Ogboni. But their
worry would have not been necessary if they bothered to find out what Ogboni means.

Ogboni is a circle of elderly, wise people who advise the Oba on matters affecting the town ñ they stand by the Oba day and night, they are always in
the Oba's court.

In those days they ruled the town in such a way that whatever disputes arising
in the town is settled. In modern days, we call them Oba's court. Even when the Europeans came they met the institution ñ they wanted to find out ways of
banning it but they discovered it was a formidable society.

Again they discovered the do's and dont's. They were pleased that it was a peaceful society. What you should do is to find out about the history of Abeokuta ñ the Ogboni history in Abeokuta.

Why then do people have to fear Ogboni? It is because they are always upright
in whatever they do. They are always firm in their decisions and they are not
given to acting under the influence of sentiments. Then if they say someone should be killed that person is killed because their judgement is based on transparent investigation.

I can also assure you that the manner of making enquiries is representative and judgement sound. For instance, if you were accused of murder or theft, emissaries were sent to the paths leading to the stream or paths leading to the farm to eavesdrop on what passer-by would say about the accused persons. If per adventure the majority message is it serves him right, this is not his
first time ñ that person is allowed to face the judgement. But if they say that person is not bad, it is a mistake that person is eventually set free.

So judgement then was people-oriented, whatever message brought to the Oba determines at the end of the day what becomes of an accused. It constituted a
major part of adjudication in whatever matter and Ogboni used to coordinate them.

If that was the original concept of the Ogboni, how come that restrictions are
placed on movement whenever they are in sessions. Is it to prevent people from
understanding their ways?

I want to tell you that even then, there wasn't anything fetish. What they do
each time they were less busy was to beat drum, eat, drink and entertain themselves.

They have a room, separate from the Agbala where they meet with the Oba; it was there that they keep their drums and dance. Only those who are trusted can
join them.

It is in that set-up that they kill goat, ram and entertain themselves; it is
only if you belong to that circle that you can join them in merry making. If you don't belong you wouldn't understand what they do and you could allege anything.

I tell you this simply because myself as a prince had been introduced to that
inner cycle. That is what we do ñ we tax ourselves; you will give us food next
month, you will supply drink and if per chance any of them dies, the Osugbo will come out with their drums. If you are not one of them, you run inside, that is the Osugbo coming, they go to where they are to perform, they don't kill, they don't eat the dead body of anybody. They beat drum, they dance, make merry for about two hours before they retreat to their base.

Can we then be let into the difference between that Ogboni and the ROF extraction if there are any?

The one that existed before ROF was founded at Isale Eko on December 18, 1914
by Ven. Archdeacon Ogunbiyi was a different kind of Ogboni. There are still so
many of them now.

Our aims and objectives in ROF which we are proud to divulge to even non-members at any time includes that we want to associate for the promotion of the principle of Universal Fatherhood of God ñ the All-Seeing Eye, and Universal Brother of Man, without any discrimination as to race, colour, creed, sex, religion or political affiliation.

We also associate for the principal purpose of knowing God better such that all the undertakings of the fraternity will be in accordance with His Holy will. Our major concern is to make good men, Christian or Moslems better men.
We encourage the diffusion of the practice of benevolence, charity and chastity.

Our aims and objectives also include the offer of assistance (as a bounding duty) to all poor and distressed members and non-members, without detriment to
themselves and their connections, or injustice to others who are not members of the fraternity.

While striving to inculcate in all members, the constant practice of the golden rule, "do unto others (members and non-members) as one would wish them
do unto him", we ensure that as responsible citizens our members keep and obey
the laws and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and those of any
other country in which one resides.

It is our duty to see to the mortal remains of any deceased member by providing a coffin or financial assistance up to a reasonable cost and to give
his/her remains a decent deposit in the bossom of mother earth. And of course
we provide necessary funds, for the successful prosecution of the business of
the fraternity, accordingly.

How do you draw your membership and what are your beliefs?

We believe in God as Father of all who is all-seeing, and ROF is based on the
ancient rites, usages and customs of our forefathers.

As to the question of membership we do not advertise, we don't canvass people.
Whoever wants to join must believe and embrace a non-idolatrous faith in God.

Such an applicant must have attained at least age 21 if male, and 40 if female. But a wife of a member may be initiated if she is not less than 30. A
member may also propose for admission a female offspring or near relation who
is a spinster or divorcee of not less than 30 years of age on giving a written
undertaking of good behaviour of such applicant. We place premium on it ñ that
any female applicant who is married at the time of application and whose husband is not a member of the fraternity must produce a letter of consent from her husband.

What then is the relationship between ROF and other religions?

We should say complimentary in that we strive to make our good christian brethren become better christians. Even those who wouldn't go to church are encouraged to go.

ROF is not a religious body and it is not also a secret society. The most interesting thing is that despite the innovations introduced into Christianity
by Archdeacon Ogunbiyi, be became an object of persecution by the church when
he introduced ROF into the spiritual life of Christianity. If they had an enquiring mind like your paper is doing today, they would have realised that the ROF is only complimentary to all christian religions (by whatever name called). While I am sure time will come when all shall know that the R.OF is the salt of the earth and the light of the word, it continues to baffle me why
Nigerian clergy suppress and condemn our customs and institutions. Is it just
because it is African?

Am also sure that there will be a time when it will be clear to all that the salt of R.O.F prevents corruption while its light illuminates the faith and inspires the weak as well as the strong, before men and women alike, to lead a
better life.

Don't you think that your ways rather than the African nature of your fraternity could be the reason why the church is strongly antagonistic to your
existence?

I don't see what we do here that is extraordinary. We hold meetings in groups
and whoever has not attained a given height is not allowed in.

If the church is holding the meeting of Council of Bishops, do they allow everybody to be there? What operates is that whoever is not part of us is against us ñ if you have not been initiated, you can't participate in our meetings.

Again if you say the church is against us because we, like other societies, have our secrets how come the Europeans do not kick against a similar thing that they call Freemason? They don't worship juju there, rather they instruct
themselves on better ways to practice Christianity.

Even at that they don't admit whoever has not been initiated into that society
to attend their functions, same thing occurs to the Ogboni fraternity. So since Ogboni was founded right from Ile-Ife, it has stood the test of time. Many have made this enquiry and have been told the truth; those who want to hear should hear while whoever wants to continue to say it is fetish should continue. I am convinced that whoever has been in it will be more knowledgeable about it.

Some people who have been in it have came out to allege that some condemnable
acts are perpetuated in your midst. What do you have to say about this?

Some of them, I mean who say these things about us were either unable to pass
our screening and become members or that they were sent out for flouting our rules. Some of them say all sorts of nonsense because they couldn't fellowship
with us.

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