The new Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye
Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, will on
Monday (today) be presented with the
staff of office by the Osun State
Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
The ceremony which will hold at the
Enuwa Square in front of the Ile Oodua
(Ooni’s palace) is expected to have
many dignitaries in attendance, among
who are the Queen Elizabeth England;
President Muhammadu Buhari; some
governors; ministers and other
important personalities from within and
outside the country.
Ogunwusi, who is the 51st Ooni of Ife,
succeeded Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who
joined his ancestors on July 28 in a
London hospital at the age of 85.
Ogunwusi was announced the new Ooni
on October 26 and he started the
installation rites on October 28 when he
arrived in Ife. He proceeded to Ilofi
(seclusion,) where he was initiated.
A close ally of the new Ooni, Mr. Biyi
Odunlade, told our correspondent that
the new monarch was ready to impact
his subjects positively with his wealth
and influence.
Odunlade said Ogunwusi had started the
construction of a big resort along Ife-
Ibadan Expressway. This, he said, would
engage some people and would also
attract people to the town.
Ogunwusi had on Wednesday said he
would establish a football academy
which, according to him, would liberate
some youths from the grip of
unemployment.
Meanwhile, the Osun State House of
Assembly has urged Ogunwusi to work
with other Obas and government at all
levels in the interest of peace and
development.
The assembly gave the advice in a
statement issued by the Chairman,
House Committee on Information, Mr.
Olatubosun Oyintiloye, a copy of which
was made available to one of our
correspondents in Osogbo on Sunday.
The lawmakers urged Oba Ogunwusi to
use his office to foster a peaceful
coexistence not only in Ife and the
Yorubaland but throughout the country
and beyond.
The statement read, “Ooni Ogunwusi
should give an inimitable service and
surpass the worthy legacies of his
predecessors.
“He was also admonished to work with
other traditional rulers and government
at all levels to inspire harmony, peace
and development in the country.
“The new Ooni should also use his
position as the custodian of the cultural
heritage and traditions of the
Yorubaland for the service of the
people,” the statement added.
The lawmakers commended ruling
houses in Ile-Ife for the manner in
which they resolved their differences
during the selection process.
They also congratulated the Osun State
Government, the state’s Council of
Obas, and the people of the state,
especially the descendants of Ife on the
peaceful transition.
“The spontaneous enthusiasm that
greeted the announcement of the new
monarch across Ile-Ife, the Osun State
and the entire nation is a substantiation
of the better days ahead,” the
statement said.
