Ekiti monarch hails Ooni’s leadership, sense of purpose

FILE: The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi

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A former Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, has hailed the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, for the love, unity, and sense of purpose associated with his reign over the last 10 years.

Oba Alabi said Ooni Ogunwusi’s fatherly disposition and leadership style had drawn admiration across Yorubaland and in Nigeria and beyond.

The Alawe, who spoke on Sunday in a congratulatory statement marking Oba Ogunwusi’s 10th coronation anniversary, stated, “As you celebrate your 10th anniversary as the Arole Oodua, may God grant you many more years of celebrations on the throne of your forefathers.”

The monarch also appreciated the Ooni for his interest in Ilawe Ekiti, saying, “Kabiyesi, your love and support for me and the people of Ilawe-Ekiti is unquantifiable and unparalleled.

“Your promptness and frequency in attending to Ilawe issues were deeply noted by myself as the Alawe and by the entire people of Ilawe Ekiti, both at home and in the Diaspora.

“Your Imperial Majesty, your reign has brought love, unity, and a sense of purpose to the entire people of Yorubaland, as well as Yoruba people in other parts of the world, such as the Caribbean and South America.”

As the Ooni, the Ekiti monarch further stated, “Your father figure and leadership style have drawn admiration not only from my people but from all in Yorubaland.

“It is on record that you have constantly fulfilled the promise you made during my tenth coronation anniversary in 2022, and at the launch of my autobiography, that you would continue to honour any invitation from Ilawe Ekiti.

“I do not want to forget in a hurry your huge and positive support for me and Ekiti traditional rulers when I was Chairman of the Ekiti Council of Traditional Rulers from 2019 to 2021.

“You personally visited us in the state to ensure peace among members of the traditional council. Your Imperial Majesty is deeply appreciated for this show of love,” Oba Alabi said.

Recall that in March 2020, Oba Ogunwusi resolved the rift between the then Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and some prominent rulers under the aegis of the Pelupelu Obas.

The rift followed the governor’s appointment of Oba Alabi as Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers.

The situation degenerated into a court case filed by some traditional rulers and a query issued to the obas by the state government over their continued absence from government functions.

The Ooni, who travelled to Ekiti State over the matter, held a brief meeting with the affected traditional rulers at the Palace of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, before leading them to the Governor’s Office, where they met with the governor and Oba Alabi.

Ogunwusi told journalists after the meeting that “what is key is communication breakdown, and we have actually closed that gap.

“We are here for a particular reason. To the glory of God, we don’t have any issues again; everything is settled.

“It is normal—there might be slight differences here and there, but it is something within the family of the Oduduwa clan and, to the glory of God, it has been resolved,” Oba Ogunwusi said.

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