The Ooni of lfe, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Saturday called for unity among the Yoruba.
Ogunwusi made the call when the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Adeniyi Ajakaiye, and the Onibeju-Leki- elect, Walihu Olasunkanmi, visited him in Ile-Ife.
The duo were at the Ooni’s palace to show appreciation on the roles played by Ogunwusi in ensuring their enthronement in their various communities.
Ogunwusi, in his remarks, said healthy development could only be achieved through genuine peace and unity.
He also said sustaining unity among traditional rulers was the panacea to finding lasting solutions to the problems confronting the country.
The Ooni further said that the country would be better off if traditional rulers across the county speak with one voice on national issues.
According to Ogunwusi, traditional rulers as the custodian of tradition and the representatives of the people must come together and speak in unison in the interest of the country.
“If there is unity and harmony among our people and the traditional rulers in the country, the struggle to attain enviable development in all facets of life would be an easy task,” he said.
The Ooni further called on the Yoruba to rally support for efforts aimed at promoting cultural festivals and traditions of the ethnic group.
Ogunwusi called on Olasunkanmi to continue to promote the traditions of Onibeju-Lekki, saying the efforts of the community’s forefathers could not be over-emphasised.
The Ooni paid tributes to the late Ooni Ajagun Ademiluyi, saying he contributed immensely to the emergence of the Onibeju-Lekki crown.
“Oba Ajagun Ademiluyi contributed immensely to the fight for the crown of Onibeju kingdom; they would have remained with ordinary cap forever,” he said.
Earlier, Ajakaiye had lauded the wisdom and role of the Ooni in promoting unity in Yorubaland and Nigeria in general.
The Oluyin said that the Ooni’s prayer came to fulfilment as he was chosen among the contenders for the throne.
He added that his community had continued to witness peace and progress since his ascension.
“It is an honour to visit the Ooni since I ascended the position of our forefathers almost one year ago, precisely on Sept. 18, when I received the staff of office from the Ekiti State Government.
“We have come to Ile-Ife to cement a very ancient relationship that was cultivated and nurtured by our forefathers.
“Your Royal Majesty, we have come to Ile-Ife to seek wisdom and blessings as well as demonstrate to our people that we are all tied by a thread of common destiny.
“When the kingmakers took all necessary steps concerning selection of the next Oluyin, I was chosen and since I assumed the traditional stool, your prayers then had been working effectively well for us at home,” he said.
Ajakaiye, who solicited for more support from the Ooni, pledged that he would not disappoint him.
Olasunkanmi, on his part, thanked Ogunwusi for his role in uniting the Yoruba.
The Onibeju-Lekki-elect, who said Yoruba culture cannot be quantified, described the Ooni as a blessing to the Yoruba race.
He also paid tributes to the late Ooni Ademiluyi who fought for the Onibeju crown, saying he would forever be remembered for his efforts.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that highlights of the visit were the exchange of gifts and special prayers for each of the traditional rulers by the Ooni.(NAN)
Ismail Abdulaziz
