The event where the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, was seen shaking hands with the governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has sparked controversy. Netizens on social media platforms have expressed their opinions about the gesture, with some criticizing the monarch for rising to greet the governor and others faulting the governor for shaking a king.
Dimeji7676 tweeted that an Oba in Yoruba land shouldn’t be standing to greet his subjects, while IsabellaAmara1 questioned why a king would stand up to greet anyone. AjoEmmanuel1 highlighted that in Yoruba culture, one should prostrate before a king, and Sweet Topensy supported this view, emphasizing the importance of adhering to cultural traditions.
Several others also shared similar sentiments, with AJOrhewere stating that it would have been inappropriate to attempt to shake the hands of the king in their tradition. Omofolaranmi01 emphasized the cultural norm of not shaking a king, while Street_king_007 stressed that it is a sign of respect not to shake the king, even if he extends his hand.
Some netizens also pointed out a scene in one of the videos where the governor appeared to snub a handshake from the monarch. Realtonyblack1 described it as a clear indication that cultural values had been lost, and cautioned Governor Adeleke to be mindful of his actions. However, AnnangQueen suggested that it may have been an oversight, while Official_adags defended the governor’s actions, attributing them to mutual respect and the Ooni’s amiable character.
A media assistant to the Osun Governor, Gbenga Lawrence, also clarified that the governor did not ignore the Ooni of Ife and that they exchanged warm greetings.
This is not the first time the Ooni of Ife’s interactions have sparked debates. Earlier in May 2023, a viral video showing the Ooni exchanging greetings with veteran Nollywood actors, Pete Edochie and Kanayo O. Kanayo, also generated contrasting opinions among netizens.
The video showing the Ooni’s interactions with various individuals has elicited mixed reactions, reflecting the diversity of cultural norms and expectations.