79 YEARS AFTER:NEW OONI OF IFE VISITS ALAAFIN OF OYO

History was made yesterday, January 17, as the Arole Oodua Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II Ooni of Ife, 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.”