The new Ooni of Ife has been advised by the President on what he must do to reach the expectation of his people. President Buhari also reminded the new Ooni the importance of embracing the people's culture.
President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi on his emergence as the 51st Ooni of Ife and successor to the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
Buhari urged the new Ife monarch to be focused in dispensing the duties for which he was chosen by his people.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President rejoiced with Ogunwusi on his appointment as the Ooni by the kingmakers of Ife after a keenly contested but peaceful selection process as well as his confirmation by Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State.
The President said as he prepared to begin the rites of ascension to the throne of his ancestors, the Ooni-designate should commit himself to carrying all his subjects along to a new era of peace, stability and progress in Ife, Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole.
The statement read in part, “The President calls on Prince Adeyeye to be prepared to put his new position as the Ooni and the principal custodian of the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Yoruba to good use in the service of his people and the country.
"President Buhari also urges the Ooni-designate to dedicate himself to building on, and surpassing the worthy legacies of his much-acclaimed predecessor, Oba Sijuwade, and working with the government and other traditional rulers across the country to foster greater harmony, peaceful co-existence and faster socio-economic development of his people and all Nigerians.
"As Prince Adeyeye ascends the grand throne of the Ooni of Ife, the President prays that God Almighty will grant him the immense wisdom and courage he will require to oversee further progress and greater prosperity for his people. He wishes the new Ooni a long and highly successful reign in the service of his people and country.”