Ooni of Ife seeks Yoruba’s further support for Tinubu as Gen. Bajowa, Afenifere leaders pay courtesy call on him at Ile Oodua.
By Steve Ovirih.
The Ooni of Ife and Arole Oodua, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II , has charged the pan Yoruba elite group, Afenifere to further consolidate on their support and commitment to the success of President Bola Tinubu’s administration as he represents the face of Yoruba in the administration of Nigeria. The foremost Yoruba monarch , whose stool is central to the cohesion of Yoruba race, gave this indication on Tuesday when Yoruba leaders of thought , Egbe Afenifere visited him at his palace in Ile Ife.
The Ooni of Ife who was full of appreciation over the thoughtful visit said records are in the palace to show the passionate support of previous Oonis of Ife to the emancipation of Yoruba , noting that Afenifere as it stands today has its root in the activities of the Action Group of yore which formation had its root in the palace in 1951, when Ooni who was on the throne gave all his support to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, then a young Lawyer who was very particular about enhancing a cohesive Yoruba race to foster a collective bargain for the political growth of modern Nigeria.
” I want to thank Afenifere specially because you have not abandoned me ever since I have assumed this prominent stool of my forbears. At the time when there were teething challenges and turbulence , you did not desert me. I am very grateful to you all.
” Agbaa yin adale” ( meaning your old age will be rich in with longevity), Oba Ogunwusi prayed, stressing that he could highlight the great efforts of individuals in Afenifere who have always reached him , paid personal visit and always granted him pieces of advice that work. ” I want to thank Baba Fasoranti, the leader of Afenifere. Baba could not be here today and his direct representative on the Afenifere delegation , Prof. Senator Okurohunmu , an eminently qualified Yoruba elder is here in Baba’s stead. I appreciate you so very much.
” I must also thank Gen.Olu Bajowa for his immense love and support for me on this throne. Baba has never left me once, always reaching out to me and always praying for a peaceful reign. Well, Gen. Bajowa has hosted me at Ikale and it was a memorable experience . I am happy you are hail and hearty and I have no doubt that God has been very gracious to you,” Ooni Ogunwusi noted.
He equally singled out Bishop Emeritus, Ayo Ladigbolu, Otunba Senator Gbenga Daniel, Chief Iyiola Omisore and Abagun Kole Omotoso for mention among a long list of supportive high profile members of Afenifere, noting that the group has been a reliable support base for him as the Ooni of Ife.
Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi said Afenifere should not abandon President Bola Tinubu and should always take their time to reach out to him for advice , consultation and fruitful deliberations on how to move the nation forward. He said of a truth the masses are complaining but those who have eyes on the need to revamp the economy cannot but agree that the steps being taken by the Presidency , no matter its effect now, are geared towards putting our nation on a sustainable economic recovery. ” President Tinubu needs all the support that the Yorubas can give him and Afenifere should be at the forefront of consolidating on this support,” Ooni maintained.
Earlier in his speech, the representative of the leader of Afenifere, Pa Ruben Fasoranti, Prof. Okunrohunmu said the visit was to congratulate Ooni Ogunwusi on his 50th birthday celebration as well as to restate the resolve of Afenifere that Ile Ife remains the source of Yorubas .
Prof. Okunrohunmu noted that Afenifere is proud of the giant strides of Ooni Ogunwusi since he has assumed the throne and his influence on sustaining the credibility of monarchy in Yoruba land and beyond.
The group noted that it acknowledged the efforts of President Bola Tinubu in revamping the economy and saluted him for establishing the South West Development Commission. Afenifere assured the Presidency of its support while maintaining that it will continue to play its role as the conscience of the nation, a role it was known for since its inception.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of a plaque to Ooni of Ife by Afenifere.
In his vote of thanks , foremost writer and journalist, Dare Babarinsa said the visit and the deliberations have been worth the while , thanking Ooni Ogunwusi for availing Afenifere the quality time for the fruitful deliberations.
