Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, has debunked media reports that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi visited the palace of the Oluwo of Iwo where he was allegedly chased out by the latter.
Oba Alao stated this in a statement, on Monday, saying the Ooni of Ife confirmed to him that he (Oba Adeyeye) never visited the Oluwo at any time.
The Olugbon also disclosed that he and the Ooni of Ife have begun a collaboration aimed at strengthening unity among Yoruba obas.
He said he and the Ooni will also develop closer relationships with fellow traditional rulers and motivate them to work with the six state governors.
The collaboration, Olugbon stated, was to ensure continued prioritisation of the security and welfare of their subjects across the six South-West states in Nigeria.
He said the collaboration would also promote Omoluabi ethos in the South-West to ensure that the current leaders bequeath a region that future generations will be proud of.
On the reported face-off between the Ooni and the Oluwo, Oba Alao said: “During our dialogue, Ooni Ogunwusi confirmed that he has never visited the Palace of the Oluwo of Iwo.
“[This was] contrary to circulating social media reports suggesting that the latter spurned him and that he [the Ooni] chose to ignore such reports like many others that do not contribute to his unity agenda”.
On the ongoing collaboration with the Ooni of Ife to ensure unity in the South-West, the Olugbon disclosed that it would foster unity among traditional rulers in Yorubaland and also promote peace in the region.
“It is with great pleasure that I announce the commencement of a partnership with His Imperial Majesty, Arole Oduduwa Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, aimed at fostering unity among the traditional rulers (obas) of Yorubaland and promoting peace throughout South-West Nigeria.
“This partnership heralds a new era in fortifying harmonious relations among the traditional rulers across the six states of the South-West.
“We will also collaborate closely with the governors of the region to ensure that the welfare and security of our subjects and all residents remain paramount.
“The foundation of this initiative was established during my recent visit to the Ooni in his esteemed Palace at Ile-Ife, where I extended my congratulations on his 50th birthday.
“Our discourse was both productive and candid, and I was met with a gracious reception from the Ooni and his Court.
“Our discussion encompassed the perceived lack of unity among Yoruba obas, as well as the pressing issues of security and welfare for our people in Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole.
“As pre-eminent traditional leaders in Yorubaland, we reached a consensus on the imperative to fortify the bonds of unity among our fellow obas.
“Furthermore, we acknowledged the necessity of counteracting the influence of fifth columnists among obas- those who seek to sow discord and pitch one monarch against another over unfounded or emotional matters.
“I hereby implore those who perpetuate disunity among Yoruba traditional rulers to cease their divisive actions forthwith. I assure them that, with the renewed resolve of both the Ooni and myself, the machinations of fifth columnists shall no longer prevail.
“We are committed to advancing Oba Ogunwusi’s unity agenda by engaging our esteemed colleagues across the six Southwest states, fostering closer relationships that will thwart any divisive efforts.
“The House of Oduduwa is one, and we shall persist as one, working collaboratively to elevate Yorubaland as a source of pride for both current and future generations.
“His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, is a true patriarch and an esteemed leader to the entire Yoruba race. I urge all fellow obas to unite in collaboration with him to collectively promote peace within our respective domains,” Oba Alao stated.
The Olugbon also touched sundry national issues as he said: “In analyzing the current economic challenges facing Nigeria, we contemplated all contributing factors and the circumstances that have led us to our present state as a nation.
“It is our understanding that Nigeria’s current economic predicament is not dissimilar to the realities of numerous countries worldwide.
“We face a global economic crisis that is precipitating inflation in several nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.
“Moreover, the inadequate management of the economy in previous years has brought Nigeria to its present state, thereby compelling President Bola Tinubu to implement reforms that are essential for the revitalization of our economy.
“It is upon this premise that we appeal to the citizens of Nigeria, particularly our subjects across the South-West, to exercise patience with the current administration as it diligently endeavours to rectify the situation in Nigeria.
“This period of inconvenience is, indeed, temporary. Government at all levels requires the support of its citizenry to achieve success.
“Once again, we, as traditional rulers, shall collaborate with our governors to undertake further measures that will mitigate the adverse effects of these reforms while simultaneously promoting the ethos of omoluwabi in this generation.”
Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ọjaja 11 (right), Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Alao and his wife, Queen Olusola Adedoyin-Alao, during a visit to the Ooni in his palace at the weekend.
