Tinubu Needs Your Support - Ooni To Afenifere Leaders

The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II has urged leadership of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization, Afenifere to rally round President Bola Hamed Tinubu in his efforts at rebuilding the nation.

Ooni Ogunwusi gave the charge in Ile-Ife on Tuesday while receiving a high powered delegation of the Afenifere leaders who visited his palace to felicitate with him on his Golden Jubilee birthday celebration.

The monarch emphasized the need for the Afenifere leaders to work in support with President Tinubu for the ultimate success of achieving the desired progress for the nation.

"Do not leave the President alone. I understand that you visited him recently. Do not be far from him as you need to be giving him necessary advice and support from time to time”, he said.

The Ooni while expressing his appreciation to the leadership of the foremost Yoruba organization for their visit, noted that the day will remain one of his most memorable days.

Earlier in his speech, the National Leader of Afenifere, Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, who was represented by one of the chieftains and leaders of the organization, Senator (Dr) Femi Okunrounmu, congratulated the Ooni on attaining 50 years on earth, describing him as the “physical and visible symbol of the progenitor of Yoruba people”.

"As the royal father of our race, you know that the House of Oduduwa is central to the aspirations and wellbeing of Yoruba people. That was why, when leaders of the Yoruba people were taking the definitive decisions to rid our land of British rule, they came to Ile-Ife to receive blessings and validation.

"The visit of our leaders to this very palace in 1951, is the origin of Afenifere that we still have till today. It is right and proper that we come to celebrate with our royal father, the Ooni of Ife, to renew the bond of old and to confirm that Afenifere remains faithful to its original tenets”, he said.

Chief Fasoranti further commended the National Assembly for passing the South West Development Commission (SWDC) Bill, which they said would address the infrastructural challenges facing the southwestern states of the country. 

The group welcomed the development, describing the passage of the bill as a gateway for the rapid development of the region and called for the cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure its success.

“We commend the National Assembly for passing the bill for the South West Development Commission. We look forward to a commission that will help Yorubaland address some of the infrastructural challenges we are facing.”

Present in the delegation included Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Ogun State Governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, General Olu Bajowa (rtd), HRM, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, Obaro of Kabba, Kogi State, HRH, Oba Adeniyi Ogunbiyi, Akire of Epe, HRH, Oba Adebayo Adewole, Owa Ajero of Ijero, among others.