Nigeria, Nov. 10 -- Your Imperial Majesty, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, the Oluwo of Iwoland,

I write with respect for the ancient throne of Iwo and with an interest in a question that extends beyond the religious convictions of any individual who occupies it. What happens to the historical inheritance of a people when the person entrusted with its custodianship does not accept some of the beliefs through which that inheritance was created? A traditional institution is not simply the residence or office of its present occupant, but the accumulated work of generations whose convictions, customs, and understanding of the world contributed to its identity.

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