Posted on: 05:01 Mon, 18 Jan 2016



History was made yesterday, January 17, as
the new Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi,
became the first Ooni to visit Oyo town
since 1937.

This comes on the heels of his visit to
the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba
Lamidi Adeyemi III, to grace his 45th
coronation anniversary thanksgiving,
held at the Methodist Church, Apaara,
Oyo state.

The entire Oyo town today stood still as
Oba Ogunwusi’s convoy got to the
venue, followed by many other Obas.

At arrival, Oba Ogunwusi, dressed in
his trademark attire, immediately
exchange pleasantries with the Alaafin
as they shook hands and sat on the
same chair, smiling profusely.

Speaking at his coronation, Oba
Adeyemi, who had earlier read from
the Bible, said the last time an Ooni
visited the Alaafin was in 1937, adding
that he was very close to many Obas in
Yorubaland and beyond.

He said: “May your reign be long, Ooni.
I am happy with Ooni Ogunwusi’s
moves to unite all Yoruba Obas.

“This special visit was done last in
March 1937, that was the first time the
kings in Yorubaland met in Oyo town
and today history was made with the
visit of Arole Oodua Enitan Ogunwusi,
Ojaja II and I feel delighted to host you
and to reassure you that I will be ready
to work with you.

“I have a tight relationship with Ooni
Adesoji Aderemi and I did not want to
relent my bound with any Ooni of Ife
that assumed the post but everybody
has his own little differences.”

Reacting shortly after, Oba Ogunwusi
said he recognized the place of Oyo
monarch in Yoruba history, adding
that a new dawn had fallen on Yoruba
monarchs and the people.

He said: “It is a new dawn for all
Yoruba sons and daughters around the
globe… I am here today though not
invited but as the Arole Oduduwa, the
onus is on me to felicitate with all sons
and daughters wherever they are and to
show my solidarity for any of them.

“I am ready to damn any consequences
or insinuations from anywhere; my
mission here is to preach peace among
nations of Yoruba both home and
abroad and I am ready to work with
Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Olayiwola Adeyemi
to project the unity and love which we
believe is existing in days of our
forefathers.”

Oba Ogunwusi and other Obas were
later hosted inside the Palace of the
Alaafin.

Present at the historic event were at
least 30 Obas which included the Timi
of Ede, Owa Ajero of Ijero, Ore of Otun
Ekiti, Orangun of Ila, Akinrun of
Ikirun, Aragbiji of Iragbiji and Elerin
of Erin Osun.

See photos below:



Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi shakes
Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III
after his 45th coronation



Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III welcomes Ooni
of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi during his 45th
coronation



Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III speaking to
Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi during his
45th coronation



Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III speaking to
Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi during his
45th coronation



Ooni of Ife Oba Ogunwusi at arrival of
the 45th coronation of Oba Lamidi
Adeyemi III in Oyo town

-NAIJ