…Ends 79years Cold War
The new Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi on Sunday, made history as the first Ooni to visit Oyo town since 1937.
The Methodist Church in Apaara, Oyo town, where the thanksgiving was underway for Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III became charged with excitement and euphoria as news filtered in that Ooni Ogunwusi’s convoy had reached Owode.
The late Ooni Sijuwade and Oba Adeyemi were embroiled in supremacy tussle. Oba Adeyemi, who had earlier read from the Bible, said the last time an Ooni visited the Alaafin was in 1937.
Oba Ogunwusi, dressed in the normal Ooni trademark attire, shook hands with the Alaafin and they sat on the same chair, both beaming with smiles.
Oba Adeyemi said, the feud between the two ancient towns, started during the reign of the last Ooni.
While praying that the reign of the present Ooni will be long, the Alaafin expressed happiness with Ooni Ogunwusi’s moves to unite all Yoruba Obas. Oba Ogunwusi described Alaafin as a great monarch, noting that “it is a new dawn for all Yoruba sons and daughters around the globe.”
Revealing how close he was to Ooni Adesoji Aderemi, the monarch said he never disrespected him but prayed for his longevity on the throne. “The misunderstanding started during the reign of the last Ooni. May your reign be long, Ooni. I am happy with Ooni Ogunwusi’s moves to unite all Yoruba Obas,” Oba Adeyemi stated.
He ended his speech with the song ‘Ore l’ao mase…Awa o ba ti ja wa ooo, Ore l’ao ma se” (We will continue to be friends).”
Oba Ogunwusi and other Obas were later hosted inside the Palace of the Alaafin.
Present at the historic event were more than 30 Obas which included the Timi of Ede, Owa Ajero of Ijero, Ore of Otun Ekiti, Orangun of Ila, Akinrun of Ikirun, Aragbiji of Iragbiji and Elerin of Erin Osun
No doubt, this rare gesture of the Ooni of Ife showed he is truly a simple monarch and the arrow head for peace in Yorubaland. And it further shows he is not on the throne for any petty rivalry.