Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday visited Ile-Ife, Osun state to pay homage to the Ooni-elect, Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
He said the mood at Ile Ife showed tremendous acceptance for the new monarch, who he urged to build on the progress made by the past Oonis, including Aderemi, Olubusi and others.
Obasanjo who spoke with newsmen in Abeokuta on Wednesday night, said his visit was necessitated by tight schedule outside of Nigeria, which might not make it possible for him to see the new Ooni-elect before going into the traditional (Ipebi) seclusion.
“My coming today is coming on the heels of my tight programme. By 6.00am tomorrow, I will be in Morocco and by that time, the new Ooni would have gone into Ipebi. Since he has been accepted by the Obalufe and the Sooko, I thought it is important to pay homage before going to Ipebi and that is exactly what I have done today.”
Obasanjo advised the new monarch thus: “it is obvious from the jubilation in Ife that he is a popular choice. My advice for him is to build on the edifice of the past Ooni, including Aderemi and Olubusi. I saw him as a young man, who has been very enthusiastic about contributing to the growth of his people. So I am equally expecting him to show greater enthusiasm for the development of his domain.
“He should ensure that he brings unity among the traditional rulers in Yorubaland and I want to wish successes in this journey.”
