Prince Alexander Adewale Haastrup of the Bilaro Ruling House of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland is one of the contestants to the vacant throne of Owa Obokun of Ijesaland. In this interview by SAM NWAOKO, Prince Alexander Haastrup, an ordained pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, speaks on his plans for the throne and the people of Ijesaland if he emerges as the new Owa.
There are many Haastrup Princes in this race to occupy the vacant Owa Obokun throne. Why do you think you are the best qualified for this throne? Why should the kingmakers select you to be their king?
Over the years, prophecies had gone out from different men of God and I never knew how these prophecies would come to fulfilment. As God would have it, there are two prophecies that usually come my way. The first one, before now, men of God would tell me that they were seeing me as a pastor. Also, they were saying that they are seeing crown on my head. The pastoral one has been fulfilled in my life to the glory of God. Today, I am an ordained pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Aside that, the RCCG also trained me on human relations and how to control people, because we deal with various congregation members in various parishes. Also, I have worked in the circular environment for many years. So I have been a leader for many years and till today, I am still a leader. I work as a Regional Administrator in the RCCG and also a pastor in charge of a Zone in the RCCG. With all these, I feel that my hometown is also very paramount and important to me, that I may exhibit all that I have learnt. In addition to these, the Almighty God has prepared me for this because of all the prophecies.
We are 11 siblings in my own father’s lineage. 10 of them came together to say ‘Alexander Adewale Haastrup, go ahead. We are in support of you.’ So, I have God’s backing; I have my family’s backing as well. So with all these, I see it that I can, through the grace of God, be in charge of the whole Ijesaland as the Imperial Majesty, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland to lead them, to uphold the culture of Ijesaland and to, among other things, support my people and unite them. I am also prepared to lead them by filling the throne of Owa Obokun.
Princes play all kinds of games and throw everything they have into it when a crown as important as this is the goal, all kinds of steps are taken, speaking literally. You are a pastor and you rely on God and prophecies. Do you think this is enough given the extraneous moves other princes might be making to gain the crown; are you confident about what is ahead of you?
Yes, by the special grace of God. I prayed a lot about this, and we are still praying. Even though I have seen some of my uncles and some other princes and what capacity they have—some of them are very influential; some of them are very rich. Everyone is seeing themselves as the most qualified, but I am saying that what I have to offer is much better and greater than what they have. I serve a Living God; I never mix anything with my serving God and I trust my God that by the virtue of this, I believe that God Almighty will release the wisdom and every necessary thing I need to ascend the throne of Owa; and what will make me a good leader on the throne. So, I am very confident that whatever capacity they are operating and no matter the level of their riches and other things, I have God and he is backing me up.
You have proudly reiterated your ordination as a pastor. However, it is the belief among many in Yorubaland that our culture and tradition don’t mix healthily with the Christian culture and tradition; that they run contrary to some biblical principles. How do you intend to marry all of these as the race progresses and when you become the Owa?
In the Bible, Solomon asked for just one thing and that is wisdom to rule his people. Me, my religion being a Christian and being a pastor, I emphasise will never affect the cultural background of my town. As a matter of fact, part of what I have as my vision for my dear Ijesaland is to focus on the cultural revival and preservation because, even in the Bible, culture is very important and you can see how culture played a major role in the life of the children of Israel. Even the kings in the Bible never ruled out the fact that culture is very important. So, if I become the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland I, by the grace of God focus on the cultural revival and preservation and I will also ensure that the traditional rulers in Ijesaland are well taken-care of and ensure that they are not left behind in the policy implementation of Ijesaland. Also, while we are still talking about culture, I will ensure the preservation and protection of the culture of my hometown and also ensure that all these would not have any contradiction between the religion to which I belong and any other religion. However, it is important to point out that there is also a clear difference between religion and culture.
The Owa that passed was very popular and reigned well as the Owa. Many developmental strides could be attributed to his momentous reign in Ijesaland. What are those things you might want to do differently on the throne if it is the will of God that you would ascend the throne?
The first thing I am going to involve myself in if, by the grace of God I become the Owa, is to unite Ijesaland, both home and abroad. I will make sure that I unite every indigene of Ijesaland wherever they might be. Like I said, I will bring about a cultural revival and the preservation of culture in our land. I also would encourage quality education and human capital development. One of the areas we are lacking in Ijesaland is infrastructure. It is my vision to bring about infrastructural development of Ijesaland because we need it. By the special grace of God, I am going to improve on that and make sure that more companies enter Ijesaland and thereby focus on economic development of the land. There are also plans we have laid out for the agricultural, the health and other sectors of the economy of Ijesaland for the overall improvement of the towns and the people.
While preserving the culture like I said earlier, I will also ensure the preservation of all religions—and I am emphatic about this, all religions in Ijesaland by the special grace of God. Another important aspect is the empowerment of women, widows and orphans. That would include scholarships and this is going to be one of my cardinal programmes as the Owa of Ijesaland.
Riches, physical wealth is among the things people including the kingmakers consider in their choice of a king. Do you have the financial muscle to pursue this kind of venture, considering all who are in the race like you? Are you prepared to go the whole hog financially?
By the grace of God, God has been so helpful in that area. I know it involves a lot of money and that it is very demanding. I know that God who has started well with me will surely continue to make provisions because I rely solely on God like I have stated. My hope is in Christ. By the special grace of God, I am 57 years old and I have held several positions and I know what role finance plays. Even at the moment, I know that money is important in the process; even when I ascend the throne, I know that money will still be very important to do all that I have laid out as plans. I trust God that He will make a way for me where there is no way and he has been doing that.
Do you trust the kingmakers to do the proper thing? How much do you trust them?
Yes. However, I must also say that I am not them; I am only a prince and a candidate. So, I believe in their judgement because I know that God is involved in this project and if God is involved, then everyone that is in charge will always play a role that God wants them to play. So, I believe them that they would also do the right thing, including our government. There is also the government and its duties in the appointment of the next Owa Obokun of Ijesaland. I trust the government of Osun State which is my dear state because you cannot rule out the fact that government has a very major role to play in this matter. So I also believe that the Afobajes (the kingmakers) and the Agba Ijesas (the Elders of Ijesaland) are going to do what will please the mind of God in this matter.
One of the accusations against many contestants to the throne is that you do not live at home, that you are far from home. Have you faced such allegation?
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) in Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State and I am an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria. I am computer literate and I have a Higher National diploma in banking and Finance from the Federal Polytechnic, Offa. My primary and secondary school education are in Ekiti State while my qualifications at the School of Discipleship at the redeemers Ministry and the Bible College of the RCCG. I was ordained a full pastor in 2023. All these were in Nigeria here and I’m sure there is no way anyone will say I am far from home. So, I have lived at home enough to understand the intricacies of Ijesaland and the demands.
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