The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, yesterday advised the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to be wary of politicians, sycophants and cheerleaders lest they lead him astray.
The Awujale gave the advice at his Ijebu – Ode palace, Ogun State, when the Ooni paid him a historical visit.
Oba Adetona hailed Oba Ogunwusi for making the progress and unity of Yorubaland since his ascension to the Ife throne a priority, but counseled him to be cautious in his dealings with the nation’s politicians and their tendencies for division.
Adetona said: “If we are united, we can achieve a lot for our people. But if we allow politicians to infiltrate and divide us, they will spoil everything. We should not as traditional rulers sell ourselves out because of pecuniary gains. That had happened in the past and caused disunity in Yorubaland. We should not be partial. The interest of our people should matter most to us”.
In his remark, Oba Ogunwusi called for the replication of the cooperation and harmony that existed amongst traditional rulers in Yorubaland up till 1941 when the Obas in the area met.
The Ooni said the rapid socio-economic development of Yorubaland and her people could be achieved if there is greater unity among the traditional rulers, adding that he was in Ijebuland to draw strength and wisdom from Awujale, who providence has preserved for 56 years on the throne.
The Ooni further disclosed his desire to move closer to the Ijebu monarch so as to foster better cooperation and unity amongst Yoruba traditional rulers.
“The position God has put me today is not because of my power or might. It has pleased God to make me the Ooni in my youth. Therefore, I have resolved to come closer to the Awujale because since 1941 when Yoruba traditional rulers last met, we have not had any other joint meeting. This should not be so.
“It is our culture to respect the elders and there is nothing better than that before God. God loves the Yoruba people so much that He gave us everything. But if we are not united, we won’t know our worth. God has blessed all of us in Yorubaland but it is through cooperation that we can achieve the best”, Ogunwusi said.
