***Olugbon: Ooni never visited Oluwo
The Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Olugbon of Orile-Igbon Oba Francis Alao have begun a collaboration on strengthening unity among Yoruba obas.
The preeminent monarchs will also develop closer relationships with fellow traditional rulers and motivate them to work with governors in ensuring continued prioritisation of the security and welfare of their subjects across the six Southwest states in Nigeria.
The Olugbon disclosed this move in a statement on Monday, saying the collaboration would also promote Omoluabi ethos in the region to ensure that the current leaders bequeath a region that future generations will be proud of.
Oba Alao also countered social media reports suggesting that the Oluwo of Iwo Oba Adewale Akanbi chased Oba Ogunwusi during a visit. He said Oba Ogunwusi confirmed to him that he never visited the Oluwo at any time.
The statement read: “It is with great pleasure that I announce the commencement of a partnership with His Imperial Majesty, Arole Oduduwa Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, aimed at fostering unity among the traditional rulers (obas) of Yoruba land and promoting peace throughout Southwest Nigeria.
“This partnership heralds a new era in fortifying harmonious relations among the traditional rulers across the six states of the Southwest. We will also collaborate closely with the Governors of the Region to ensure that the welfare and security of our subjects and all residents remain paramount.
“The foundation of this initiative was established during my recent visit to the Ooni in his esteemed palace at Ile-Ife, where I extended my congratulations on his 50th birthday. Our discourse was both productive and candid, and I was met with a gracious reception from the Ooni and his court. Our discussion encompassed the perceived lack of unity among Yoruba obas, as well as the pressing issues of security and welfare for our people in Yoruba land and Nigeria as a whole.
“As preeminent traditional leaders in Yoruba land, we reached a consensus on the imperative to fortify the bonds of unity among our fellow obas. Furthermore, we acknowledged the necessity of counteracting the influence of fifth columnists among obas—those who seek to sow discord and pit one monarch against another over unfounded or emotional matters.
“I hereby implore those who perpetuate disunity among Yoruba traditional rulers to cease their divisive actions forthwith. I assure them that, with the renewed resolve of both the Ooni and myself, the machinations of fifth columnists shall no longer prevail. We are committed to advancing Oba Ogunwusi’s unity agenda by engaging our esteemed colleagues across the six Southwest states, fostering closer relationships that will thwart any divisive efforts.
“The house of Oduduwa is one, and we shall persist as one, working collaboratively to elevate Yoruba land as a source of pride for both current and future generations.
“His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, is a true patriarch and an esteemed leader to the entire Yoruba race. I urge all fellow obas to unite in collaboration with him to collectively promote peace within our respective domains.
“During our dialogue, Ooni Ogunwusi confirmed that he has never visited the palace of the Oluwo of Iwo, contrary to circulating social media reports suggesting that the latter spurned him and that he chose to ignore such reports like many others that do not contribute to his unity agenda.
“In analyzing the current economic challenges facing Nigeria, we contemplated all contributing factors and the circumstances that have led us to our present state as a nation.
“It is our understanding that Nigeria’s current economic predicament is not dissimilar to the realities of numerous countries worldwide. We face a global economic crisis that is precipitating inflation in several nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
“Moreover, the inadequate management of the economy in previous years has brought Nigeria to its present state, thereby compelling President Bola Tinubu to implement reforms that are essential for the revitalization of our economy.
“It is upon this premise that we appeal to the citizens of Nigeria, particularly our subjects across the Southwest, to exercise patience with the current administration as it diligently endeavors to rectify the situation in Nigeria. This period of inconvenience is indeed temporary. Government at all levels requires the support of its citizenry to achieve success.
“Once again, we, as traditional rulers, shall collaborate with our governors to undertake further measures that will mitigate the adverse effects of these reforms while simultaneously promoting the ethos of omoluwabi in this generation.”
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