New Ooni gets staff of office today

The new Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, will on Monday (today) be presented with the staff of office by the Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

The ceremony which will hold at the Enuwa Square in front of the Ile Oodua (Ooni’s palace) is expected to have many dignitaries in attendance, among who are the Queen Elizabeth England; President Muhammadu Buhari; some governors; ministers and other important personalities from within and outside the country.

Ogunwusi, who is the 51st Ooni of Ife, succeeded Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who joined his ancestors on July 28 in a London hospital at the age of 85.

Ogunwusi was announced the new Ooni on October 26 and he started the installation rites on October 28 when he arrived in Ife. He proceeded to Ilofi (seclusion,) where he was initiated.

A close ally of the new Ooni, Mr. Biyi Odunlade, told our correspondent that the new monarch was ready to impact his subjects positively with his wealth and influence.

Odunlade said Ogunwusi had started the construction of a big resort along Ife-Ibadan Expressway. This, he said, would engage some people and would also attract people to the town.

Ogunwusi had on Wednesday said he would establish a football academy which, according to him, would liberate some youths from the grip of unemployment.

Meanwhile, the Osun State House of Assembly has urged Ogunwusi to work with other Obas and government at all levels in the interest of peace and development.

The assembly gave the advice in a statement issued by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr. Olatubosun Oyintiloye, a copy of which was made available to one of our correspondents in Osogbo on Sunday.

The lawmakers urged Oba Ogunwusi to use his office to foster a peaceful coexistence not only in Ife and the Yorubaland but throughout the country and beyond.

The statement read, “Ooni Ogunwusi should give an inimitable service and surpass the worthy legacies of his predecessors.

“He was also admonished to work with other traditional rulers and government at all levels to inspire harmony, peace and development in the country.

“The new Ooni should also use his position as the custodian of the cultural heritage and traditions of the Yorubaland for the service of the people,” the statement added.

The lawmakers commended ruling houses in Ile-Ife for the manner in which they resolved their differences during the selection process.

They also congratulated the Osun State Government, the state’s Council of Obas, and the people of the state, especially the descendants of Ife on the peaceful transition.

“The spontaneous enthusiasm that greeted the announcement of the new monarch across Ile-Ife, the Osun State and the entire nation is a substantiation of the better days ahead,” the statement said.