Ooni, Awujale advocate peace, unity in Yorubaland

The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, have called on Yoruba people to embrace peace and unity to ensure rapid development of the region.

They made the call on Friday when the Ooni paid a courtesy visit to the Awujale in Ijebu-Ode.

The traditional rulers, who expressed joy at the meeting, described it as victory for the Yoruba race and a step in the right direction.

The Ooni, who was accompanied by nobles and traditional rulers from Ife, said that the era when Yoruba monarchs struggle for supremacy was over, citing God as the father of all.

Ogunwusi explained that his visit to Ijebuland was to acknowledge Adetona as the longest serving king in Yoruba land whose wisdom and experience was needed in unifying all Yorubas.

He said: “All of us belong to one God and the King of Kings to whom we will all be accountable.

“It is only God that owns everything and can do all things. The position I am today is not by my power or understanding.

“The Awujale, the longest serving monarch in Yoruba land, having been on the throne for 56 years is one all of us should be close to going by the wisdom of his years.

“I have determined in my heart to be closer to Awujale to solicit his support in the campaign of unity and peace I started.

“If we are not united, we can not solve our peoples problems and bring about the development of our region and nation,” Ogunwusi said.

In his remark, Adetona expressed joy at Ooni’s visit and described him as “a man with wisdom far above his years.’’

Adetona advised the Ooni to beware of undue government influence and false praise singers.

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“The last time any Ooni paid a visit to this palace was in 1941, during the reign of late Ooni Aderemi Adesoji, when we had the second conference of Yoruba Obas in Ijebu-Ode.

“The first conference was held at the Alaafin of Oyo’s palace in Oyo kingdom in 1937.

“We should be ambassadors and examples to our subjects; we should not be bias and play our role of being our people’s advocate.

“If we remain united and speak with one voice, it will be very difficult for the enemy to come into our midst and divide us,” Adetona said.

The Awujale prayed for the successful reign of the Ooni and described the visit as historic that would be remembered in the annals of the Yoruba race,” he said.