APPOINTMENTS OF BAALES/OLOJAS OR LESSER KINGS IN ZION COMMUNITIES: THE PROSPECTS AND WAY FORWARD.

Dear Imperial Majesties,

It is with utmost reverence for the highly revered thrones and the occupants that I write this synoptic missive to all the four first class monarchs in Ilajeland, namely, the Olugbo of Ilaje-Ugbo, the Amapetu of Ilaje-Mahin, the Olikan of Ilaje-Etikan and the Maporure of Ilaje-Aheri. I am not a monarch and so, I am not wise enough or perhaps, too young, to advise you on how to resolve the issue of appointments of Oloja or lesser-status obas in Zion communities in our kingdoms. However, as a prince with bond with almost all the four first class kingdoms in Ilajeland, I think it will still not be out of place for me to suggest the way forward on the matter and preclude a recrudescence of the fallout of Ugbonla crisis which claimed the life of Prince Bababo Lowo.

In the case of Zion communities like Ugbonla and Ayetoro in the present-day Ilaje-Ugbo, which are the pacesetters in this regard, His Imperial Majesty, the Olugbo of Ilaje-Ugbo should approve the system of communal headship that I call THEOCRATIC MONARCHY for them and other first class monarchs should do same. This theocratic monarchy is a form of government in which the head of the church is also the traditional head of the community. He concurrently combines both powers, all in one. The head of the church and the community will be upgraded to the status of a lesser oba where the prescribed authority of the kingdom consents and be in constant touch with the paramount ruler of the kingdom. Hence, in subsequent filling of vacant Zion stools, the paramount ruler of the kingdom should be duly informed through written document, before the election of a successor to each of the stools. Even though, the leading of the holy spirit is the major prompting needed in this regard, official or formal consent of the paramount of the host kingdom makes the selection known to the law and constitutionally valid. Where the head of the church accepts to also work with the paramount ruler of his Kingdom as both the traditional ruler and spiritual head, the paramount ruler should embrace his choice and issue him a letter of appointment which makes him a chief or community head under kingdom. Where the head of the church believes that he is "too holy" to combine both the responsibilities of the head of the church and the traditional head of the community, all in one, the paramount ruler of the Kingdom shall write to the Traditional Council of Ilaje Local Government Area asking for their intervention. Afterwards, if they are not able to resolve it, the paramount ruler should write to the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area to seek his intervention. Where such fails, the paramount ruler shall again, write to inform the state government through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs of the development. The paramount ruler can then appoint a proxy for himself in the community but with strict instruction that he must maintain peace cohabitation with the head of the church. He must not take decision that will pitch him against the church and its head. Where the needs to exercise his traditional responsibility through the observance of the Oro and Arubeji/Ibeji Cults worships arise, he should honour the church by avoiding the vicinity of the church and give the church prior written notice of not less than 3-7 days. Etikan Kingdom experimented with this in the communities under Etikan under the current Olikan of Ilaje-Etikan and it worked. That is an assurance that it will work in other kingdoms. There is no church doctrine that prevents a church leader from planning or discussing the progress of the kingdom with the traditional ruler of his kingdom. After all, if the entire kingdom is not peaceful, the church cannot be peaceful. Heads of Zions should learn from Baba E.A. Adeboye, Oyedepo etc, who respects the traditional rulers of the kingdoms where their churches and religious camps are. The church is a community (a microcosm) of larger host community. Our elite should also educate our zion community heads that as a king of Zion, you are only the heads of your church. The paramount rulers of the Kingdoms are the owners of the lands on which the churches are built.

Yours in the service of our people,

Ambassador (Sir) S. Ola Ajimisan, Knight of the Order of Oghonne