There is a man, hailed and live in Oroki asala, the ancient city where most famous is a river… In the city of Osogbo, he lives and has related with outside and outsiders for good.
He is Amitolu Shittu, he is one of the prominent figures honoured with chieftaincy title by the traditional council of Owuile. Conferment of such honour on a figure like Amitolu is a round peg in a round hole.
Is Amitolu a warrior ? Yes ! He is a veteran modern day warrior… In the 90s when the military junta silence our sense and voice and pegged democracy, Amitolu Shittu was out like lion fighting for political freedom at the expense of his life. This modern day warrior was incarcerated and jailed by the military junta then.
Chief Yemi Elebuban while trying to describe Chief Jagunmolu in a book titled Amitolu Shittu A Selfless Activist he said :
“Tobadijoija
Keeranse pe Asabari
Tobadijoare
Kierannisi ologun
Asabari o koja
Ologun kiikoare”
Olowu of Owuile kingdom has really taken a golden traditional decision by honouring Amitolu with such a chieftaincy that fit his history. What war has he confronted and wine ? Many may ask. The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola took care of such question when he wrote at page iv of a book titled Amitolu Shittu, A Selfless Activist…
“… It is not surprising therefore that Amitolu had his baptism of unjust incarceration under General Ibrahim Babangida junta which also occurred severally under successive military administrators in Osun. There will always be scars but the good news is that such men are never discouraged and they don’t get deterred “
There is no doubt that the fact that democracy has come to stay is the reflection of the “molu” which is adjunct to “Jagun”.
For us who have a divine eyes which enable us to see real men and living hero we will continue to rally round Amitolu Shittu who would be referred to as Chief Jagunmolu of Owuile kingdom.
Abdulsalam Abdulfatah Liberty
Barrister and Solicitor of Supreme Court of Nigeria
A right activist
Publisher and Editor in Chief of Dynasty Magazine
DG Good Governance and Leadership Assessment Initiative -GOGLAI
DG Human Rights Guide – HURIG
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