Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday visited the
Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, at his palace to pay homage to the foremost
traditional ruler in Yorubaland.
Obasanjo, who was accompanied to the palace by Otunba
Oyewole Fasawe, Dr. Femi Okunnu and others, prostrated flat before the Ooni on
his arrival at the palace.
Obasanjo, who lauded the moves being made by the Ooni to
unite all Yoruba Obas and people, urged other monarchs to support Ogunwusi to
ensure that all of them were united.
The former President stated that the unity move by the Ooni
was important for the progress of Yorubaland. He urged Oba Ogunwusi not to
relent in his move to ensure unity, stressing that Ife remained the source of
the Yoruba race.
He said, “I commend the role of Ooni in ensuring peace in
Yorubaland. Continue what you are doing, especially your unity course. I am
happy with the moves so far. It is only a sign of honour for the Ooni to visit
anyone. That does not deny Ile-Ife of its position in the history of
Yorubaland.”
Obasanjo, who was ushered into the palace by drummers and
praise singers at the palace jokingly cautioned them from singing Owu la ko da
(Owu town was the first to be created).
He said that song was not appropriate especially at the
Ooni’s Palace because of the paramount position of Ile-Ife, which is the source
of Yoruba people.
Obasanjo said he was very happy with the steps taken by the
Ooni so far, saying the moves had proved that he did not support a wrong person
to occupy the exalted throne.
Oba Ogunwusi thanked Obasanjo for finding time to come and
pay him a visit.
The monarch said the former President is a lover and
promoter of Yoruba culture, saying others should emulate him.
Earlier, the former President had paid a similar visit to
the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, who was inaugurated as a king
shortly after Oba Ogunwusi.
Obasanjo, who was invited for Oluwo’s coronation on January
16, said he could not attend the ceremony in person because he was outside the
country then.
He called on Yoruba monarchs and their subjects to unite to
continue to move the race forward.
The Oluwo also urged Obasanjo to use his influence across
the globe to help Iwoland, restating his desire to speedily develop the town.
He said, “Since I became Oluwo, I have been making efforts
to fast-track the development of Iwo and by the grace of God and the support of
privileged Nigerians like Chief Obasanjo, we will get there.
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