Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar are vital to Nigeria’s stability and unity.
He spoke at the weekend while hosting the Ooni at his country home in Otuoke, Bayelsa State.
The Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, in a statement on Sunday, said that the former President noted that the Federal Government usually consults the two foremost royal fathers during critical national situations due to their influence and stature.
He quoted Jonathan as saying, “The Ooni of Ife is a great gift to Africa. Whenever the federal government wants to engage with traditional rulers, the two most prominent they call are the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife”.
“These are highly revered kings in the country. When I was President, the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria had the Sultan and the Ooni as permanent co-chairmen—Sultan representing the North, and the Ooni representing the South. That tells you the pedigree of the Ooni in Nigerian kingship.”
The former president also expressed personal fondness for Osun State, noting that he served there during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year in Iresi, which deepened his connection to the state.
During his visit to Bayelsa, the Ooni also met with Governor Douye Diri and members of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers in Yenagoa.
In his address to the council, Oba Ogunwusi emphasized the importance of national unity for Nigeria’s development.
“We have no other country but Nigeria. For Nigeria to progress, we must embrace peace, and peace cannot exist without unity of purpose. This is where traditional rulers must support the government,” he said.
“Let us guide our subjects responsibly, so the government’s developmental policies under the Renewed Hope Agenda can positively impact lives across the country. Cross-cultural communication and visits like this are essential.”
Governor Diri, while receiving the monarch, described the Ooni as a symbol of national unity and dignity.
“Your Majesty, the government and people of Bayelsa deeply admire you. Your visit is a great honor, and we would be pleased to host you again later this year as our Special Royal Father of the Day during the 29th anniversary of our state’s creation,” the governor said.
“You have conducted yourself with royal dignity and majestic humility, which we all greatly respect. Our traditional rulers hold you in the highest esteem.”
