Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, made history on Sunday by being the first Ooni of Ife to visit the Alaafin of Oyo, since 1937.
The former Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade had maintained a long-running supremacy battle with the Alaafin of Oyo.
The visit of the recently crowned Ooni of Ife to the Alaafin was in celebration of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi’s 45th coronation anniversary.
About 100 Yoruba traditional rulers were also present at the coronation anniversary, held at the Methodist Church, Apaara, Oyo.
Speaking on the visit, the Alaafin of Oyo commended the new Ooni’s move to reconcile all Yoruba monarchs.
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. 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 had a close 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.”
While speaking, the Ooni of Ife said a new dawn had fallen on Yoruba monarchs and the people, stressing that ‘we are friends and not enemies’.
“It is a new dawn for all Yoruba sons and daughters around the globe. Ore l’a o mase…Awa o ba ti ja wa ooo, Ore l’a o ma se (We are friends and not enemies). 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 the Yoruba, both home and abroad and I am ready to work with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Olayiwola Adeyemi, to project the unity and love which we believe is existing in the days of our forefathers.”
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