The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Friday paid a historic visit to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
According to Oba Adetona, the Ooni’s visit was the first of such since 1941, when all Yoruba monarchs met in Ijebuland.
The Ooni, who also recently visited the Alaafin of Oyo uninvited, has said his interest was to unite the Yoruba race with the aim of bringing peace and development.
The Awujale, who has ruled for 56 years, praised the Ooni’s drive for unity in Yorubaland, and urged him to avoid allowing politicians to drive a wedge between him and other traditional rulers across the length and breadth of the Yoruba nation.
In his response, the Ooni said: “The position God has put me today is not because of my power or might. It has pleased God to make me the Ooni in my youth. Therefore, I have resolved to come closer to the Awujale because since 1941 when Yoruba traditional rulers last met, we have not had any other joint meeting. This should not be so.
“It is our culture to respect elders and there is nothing better than that before God. God loves the Yoruba people so much that He gave us everything. But if we are not united, we won’t know our worth. God has blessed all of us in Yorubaland but it is through cooperation we can achieve the best.”