The Ooni of Ife,Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has said that he has been mandated by God to properly position Yoruba race for greatness while efforts must be geared towards uniting its people.
Receiving in his palace in Ile Ife yesterday the paramount ruler of Remo kingdom, Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo, who led royal fathers and eminent personalities including Chief Kessington Adebutu and Asiwaju of Remoland Chief S. Onafowokan, Oba Ogunwusi said he has God’s mandate to unite the race.
Oba Ogunwusi said that his efforts in uniting Yoruba nation are already yielding positive results, adding that Yoruba will develop if united.
The monarch said Yoruba people are the most favoured race on earth and urged other traditional rulers in Yoruba land to join and support the unity campaign, maintaining that the unity of Yoruba race was needed for peace and development of the race.
The traditional ruler, who noted that God loves Yoruba people said some Yoruba sons and daughters were yet to discover the beautiful values and norms God endowed Yoruba people with.
He said: “I am so happy and pleased with this visit. God speaks with me everyday on this move to unite the Yoruba nations and I can say that God is leading me through this unity move.”
“I want other traditional rulers and leaders of Yoruba race to join this efforts and also mobilise other prominent Yoruba sons and daughters to join the move. Yoruba will develop if united and if Ife is peaceful, every Yoruba part of land will be peaceful.
“I have God’s mandate to work towards uniting Yoruba race and position it for better deal among ethnic groups in the country and with the disposition of the Akarigbo, my job is being made easy,” Oba Ogunwusi said.
The traditional ruler said there is no Yoruba land that does not receive “heavenly prayers daily because whenever Ooni is prayed for, every Yoruba person receives the prayer.
Stating that his work is being made easy with the peaceful disposition of Oba Sonariwo, the Ife monarch harped on the need to keep relationships to enhance rapid development of the society.
He said those in Ile Ife know the town belongs to the entire Yoruba race and will always welcome all other children of Oduduwa, assuring to continue to work towards promoting peaceful coexistence of the race and the country at large.
In his remarks, Oba Sonariwo said Ooni is the father of all kings and pledged to work with Oba Ogunwusi in uniting the Yoruba race.
Oba Sonariwo congratulated Oba Ogunwusi over his coronation and prayed that his reign would be peaceful and marked with achievements.
Other monarchs that visited the Ooni are Oba Adeleke Idowu, Alaperu of Iperu, Oba Adewale Osinbero, Elepe of Epe, Oba Emilaoye Awobajo, Alara of Ilara-Remo, Oba M. O. Shonuga, Olofin of Ilisan-remo, Oba Jolagbade Tijani and Alado of Ado, Oba Amusa Akinyemi.