- Ogunwusi Ojaja II called for the Yorubas and Igbos to come together in unity
- The Ooni of Ife said their unity is central to the progress of the country
- The traditional ruler said the two ethnic groups share a lot of things in common
The Ooni of Ife, Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has said that for Nigeria and the entire continent to progress, it needs the unity of the Yorubas and Igbos.
Vanguard reports that the traditional ruler made this call when he received His Royal Highness, Igwe Cyprian Mmaduabuchi Nevobasi, Ezeani III of Mmaku, Enugu State and other prominent Igbo leaders who visited his palace.
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The Ooni described the Yoruba people of South Western part of Nigeria and their Igbo counterpart in the South East as two inseparable African
H said their unity is paramount to achieve a great country.
He said: “We need to cement our togetherness in this country because without the coming together of the Igbo and the Yoruba natives, it will be very difficult for Nigeria and the entire continent of Africa to progress. We are the real embodiment of the black people and the continent of Africa is looking forward to us.
“Handshake across the Niger like this is very important because we belong to the same family, so we should not separate ourselves the more. Let us look into things that bind us together like our rich cultures and traditions.
“We want to tell you today that we are now directly associating from the Kingdom of Ife to the entire Mmakun Kingdom in Igboland and Your Royal Highness have cemented that good relationship with this visit.
“Once again, I appreciate your philanthropic and leadership works especially towards the poor, oppressed and the downtrodden in Enugu and beyond, since you ascended the throne of your forebears some 20 years ago. I am proud to associate with you after hearing so much about you and I am so happy that we eventually met."
In his address, Igwe Cyprian Mmadubuchi described the Ooni as a symbol of unity.
He said: “Your Imperial Majesty the Ooni, I commend your courage and candour for championing this strategic initiative on behalf of other traditional rulers. As I earlier said is because as custodian of tradition and culture of the people, we are expected to be in the vanguard of ensuring national unity and cohesion in the country”.
“I am loyal to your Imperial Majesty and I am here to assure you that you have found your missing ribs in the South East. I have seen with my eyes that you are a moving train, you have proven to our nation that you are a great leader we can trust and we are following you.
“Infact, if we Africans were Catholic, you are the black Pope.”
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Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday evening, May 27, hosted traditional rulers from across the country to a fast-breaking meal at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The traditional leaders who joined the president in the Ramadan breakfast included the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
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