By Divine Sam

The Alawo of Awo in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Abdulrazaq Taiwo Adegboye, has spoken out against bodily incisions and other traditional practices he considers harmful, urging residents to strengthen their faith in God.

The monarch made his position known during a recent Islamic event in Awo, according to a video obtained by DAILY POST, in which he criticised certain Yoruba cultural customs and religious practices.

Oba Adegboye said that since his coronation, he had not subjected himself to traditional bodily incisions, challenging anyone who claimed otherwise to come forward with evidence.

“From the day I was crowned as a traditional ruler, nobody can public testify that they have seen any traditional incision on my body. Anyone can come and testify if they have seen such on my body.

“I do not partake in any unwholesome traditional practice and incisions. Any of such incisions would just end up marking you for life,” he said.

The traditional ruler also urged traders and business owners to place their trust in God rather than spend their hard-earned money seeking spiritual assistance from traditionalists in pursuit of wealth.

Addressing the congregation, he expressed concern that some businesspeople, particularly market women, resort to practices he believes offer shortcuts to financial success.

He said, “You traders should stand with God. It is God that took should be calling and not wonder about and give your hard earned money to traditionalists who will end up swindling you.

“The practice is most common among our market women. Salvation is only in God and not man. Since you have been wandering about looking for short cut to wealth, have you become millionaires?”

Oba Adegboye concluded by encouraging worshippers to remain steadfast in their faith, stressing the importance of trusting God rather than relying on practices he considers unwholesome.

His remarks have brought attention to the continuing conversation around traditional customs, religious beliefs and practices that may pose health risks or expose people to exploitation.