Governor Aregbesola presents staff of office and certificate to Oba Ogunwusi

Aregbesola gives Ooni his stool of office

Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi of the ancient Yoruba town of Ile-Ife got his staff of office today from Governor Rauf Aregbesola  at a presentation ceremony that was attended by the creme-de-creme of Nigerian political, traditional  leaders and prominent sons and daughters of Yorubaland.

The event also doubled as the official coronation of the 40 year old king, whose appellation shall be,  His Imperial Majesty Arole Oduduwa Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, The OONI of IFE.

The Vice-President (VP) of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, described events, such as the coronation, as rare and very historic in all ramifications, especially to the people of Ile-Ife and the entire Yoruba race.

The Vice President  also used the occasion to remind the new Ooni of the great responsibility before him.

“The stool of Ooni is revered and deeply important to the Yoruba race and the Ooni remains the father to all.

VP Osinbajo in a tete-a-tete with Oba Ogunwusi

Oba Ogunwusi and VP Yemi Osinbajo

“And as a father to all, you have the primary responsibility of carrying the responsibility of the people.

“We are indeed grateful to God for affording us the opportunity to celebrate with pump and pageantry,” he said.

The new king described his coronation as a new dawn for the town of Ife and Yorubaland.

Aregbesola in a discussion with Osinbajo

“It’s a great day—our people are over-joyous”. He thanked all those who have made the event possible, especially Governor Aregbesola and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he called a great leader.

“He is a  great leader. He has made so many people”, he said of Tinubu.

Oba Ogunwusi promised to promote positive values and the unity of Yoruba as the king of the ancient  town, and across Nigeria in general.

Oba Ogunwusi in a photo-op with South West governors and their wives

He described his ascension as a royal privilege and dedicated the stool to all youths of Osun and the entire Nigeria.

Many dignitaries attended  the event which took place at the Enu-Owa Palace in Ife. Among them were Asiwaju Tinubu, the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar II, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Oba Ogunwusi and Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande and Governor Aregbesola

Also at the event was former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma and many traditional rulers from Yorubaland.

The Chairman of the Media Sub-Committee of the occasion, Mr Biyi Odulande  said the event attracted many dignitaries to Ife.

According to him, the same event took place about 35 years ago, during the coronation of the late Ooni Okunade Siujuwade in 1980.

Odunlade said: “the people of Ile-Ife and indeed the entire Yoruba people are lucky to have had the king of the cradle of Yoruba race in the person of Ogunwusi Enitan.”