OBASANJO, SOYINKA LAUD OONI OGUNWUSI ON UNIFICATION EFFORTS
Akin Omo Akin, OSOGBO
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka yesterday showered encomium on the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II on his efforts to ensure the unity of Yoruba race.
Speaking at the one year anniversary of the ascension of throne of the monarch and the launch of a book – ‘Venerated’ – detailing his background and emergence the eminent Nigerians praised Oba Ogunwusi for putting in all within his effort to bring the race together again.
They however urged him to live above board by shunning comments or moves that could spur disunity among the race.
Obasanjo said he has been monitoring the activities of the Ooni since his ascension to the throne.
According to him, the Ooni should take the unification agenda as a key factor for the development of the Yoruba nation.
“I have paid keen interest in the unification move of the Ooni since his ascension to the throne. It is commendable. We need someone like the Ooni to ensure that the Yoruba nation remained undivided,” he said.
Soyinka, who also identified the need for people of Yoruba race to unite, maintained that one of the controversial matters among the Yoruba leaders remained the origin of Ile-Ife.
He said, “There is controversy about the origin of someone whom we know as the origin of Yoruba race, kingdom, black race and humanity. The controversy may continue for long but the reality is that Ile-Ife is the cradle of humanity.
According to him, the influence of Ile-Ife transcends Nigeria and Africa, saying “If you walk on the street of Cuba or Brazil, somebody will tap you on your shoulder because they know you are black, they say ‘who are you?’ And you say ‘I am Osun, Ogun, Sango’. At the end, they will ask you how is the Ooni? It means the Yoruba race, culture is beyond this environment,” he added.
Oba Ogunwusi retreated his commitment to the unity of Yorubaland adding that the empowerment of youths is also central to him.
ENDS