Leader of the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity, Chief Francis Meshioye, has again debunked the public perception that the fraternity is a secret society.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Meshioye said there was nothing sinister in the activities of the fraternity.
“We are far from being a secret society; we are a registered entity that abides with the laws of the land and our objectives are to promote positive values, truth, justice and cultural heritage,” he said.
He explained that contrary to beliefs in some quarters, there was nothing secret or sinister about the fraternity, saying it was founded for the good of the society.
Meshionye further explained that the fraternity was actually founded in 1914 by a Christian, Deacon Jacobson Ogunbiyi, saying “the initial objective was to promote Christian values among the people.”
He added that the group was later expanded to accommodate people of other faiths, hence the change in name from Ogboni Fraternity to Reformed Ogboni Fraternity.
Meshioye said a number of distinguished Nigerians, dead and living, were members of the group, emphasising that the fraternity was strictly for positive values.
He said it was note -worthy that the founding fathers of ROF were part of those who fought for the decolonisation of Nigeria , developed such establishments as the civil service , judiciary and many functional post- colonial institutions.
He listed some of them as late Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, late Chief Ladoke Akintola and late Sir Adeyemo Alakija.
