The Aseyin of Iseyin kingdom in Oyo State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola, has expressed his readiness to join hands with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, in ensuring peace and tranquillity in Yorubaland.
This is contained in a statement on Tuesday by the Director, Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Moses Olafare.
The new Iseyin monarch disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Ooni at his Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife on Monday.
The monarch described his visit as a historic homage paid by a son to his father.
He reiterated that he was in Ile-Ife to reaffirm his subjects’ continued loyalty to the Ooni which was institutionalised by his predecessor, the Late Oba AbdulGaniy Adekunle Oloogunebi.
“In tandem with our traditions and history inherited from my predecessor and all our ancestors, I’m here to today accompanied by my queen, kingmakers and prominent Iseyin sons and daughters to pay homage to my father, the Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, who undoubtedly remains the overall head of the entire Oduduwa race worldwide. I am a son who has come to check on his father,” he said.
Baba Ooni, please, be sure of our 100% loyalty. Our ancestors had, centuries ago, enjoyed cordial relationship between Iseyin and this Ile-Ife our cradle. My immediate predecessor, the late Oba AbdulGaniy Adekunle Oloogunebi, was able to consolidate on our ties with Ile-Ife and we are here again to continue it and make it stronger. Where you go is where I go! ” the Aseyin said.
Ooni Ogunwusi who doubles as Co-Chairman, National Council Of Traditional Rulers Of Nigeria (NCTRN), confirmed the relationship between Iseyin and Ile-Ife as being very cordial and mutually beneficial.
“Kabiyesi Aseyin, you are perfectly correct on the story you just narrated about Aseyin/Ooni cordial relationship. I am also very proud of your determination to step up the existing cordiality between us for the benefit of progress of our race. That’s commendable and I assure you and the good people of Iseyin Kingdom of our unshaken love,” the Ooni said
Ooni, who is the Leader of The Southern Nigeria Forum of Traditional Rulers blessed the visiting Aseyin with prayers for good health, long life and peacefully prosperous reign as the new monarch of Iseyin Kingdom.
He urged him to be magnanimous in victory and asked him to always work for the peace, development and the growth of Iseyin kingdom.
“Bring everyone on board, work with them all. Even your opponents have now become your subjects today and you must be magnanimous in victory. Invite sons and daughters to Iseyin for development. If they don’t come home, you must visit them wherever they are globally and attract them home.” the Ooni said.
Similarly, the newly installed Soun Of Ogbomoso, HRM, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, Orumogege III had last Wednesday, visited the Ooni whom he described as a rallying point for all monarchs, particularly those of Yoruba origin.
“God is great! I once hosted the Ooni in a company of several other Yoruba Obas in Washington USA about six or seven years ago when I never even dreamt of becoming a king in my life, but see what God has done. I hosted the Ooni as a prince seven years ago, now I am being hosted as a king by the same Ooni,” he said.
Long before I ascended this throne, I had always admired the conduct of the Ooni and I cannot but say that he (the Ooni) has a lot to teach all obas across Yoruba land and the entire Oduduwa race.
“I have come home today, because Ile-Ife is our collective ancestral home in Yorubaland and Ooni is unquestionably the Natural Head of all the traditional rulers in Yorubaland and the entire Oduduwa race worldwide.
“I am so happy to have witnessed the huge cultural displays here today because I believe this cannot be found elsewhere. We have ours in Ogbomoso too and your preservation of the prestigious Yoruba heritage is a motivation for us to even do more in that regard.
“We are all proud in Yorubaland to have migrated from Ile-Ife, the source where it all began and Ooni Ogunwusi has been a monarch with a difference, particularly in the area of culture preservation. At times, I wonder how he does everything so easily.”
In his welcome address, Ooni Ogunwusi who described the new Soun as a king divinely made by the Almighty God, declared that Ogbomoso is an important ancient city in Yoruba land with immeasurable economic and historical significance.
“I remember about eight years ago when we met in the US during your days as a clergyman, everyone around you testified to your upright and down to earth nature. I jokingly asked you to come home and join us in the traditional institutions but you swiftly rejected the offer. You said you were a pastor and we should just leave you as that, now see what God has done. I am confident that your emergence as the Soun of Ogbomoso will be beneficial to the ancient city and our race in general,” The Ooni said.
Ooni Ogunwusi who used the medium to advocate for unity across the country particularly in Yoruba land, commended traditional rulers nationwide for their efforts in ensuring that the country remains united for the betterment of all.
