From Clement Adeyi, Osogbo
Ile-Ife, the acclaimed cradle of the Yoruba race, erupted in jubilation yesterday when the Osun State Government announced the appointment of Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi as the new Ooni, the town’s revered monarch.
The formal announcement was made in the early hours through a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Olalekan Adeoti.
In the three-paragraph statement, the government said: “The governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, has approved the appointment of a new Ooni of Ife. He is Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi of the Giesi Ruling House of Ile Ife, State of Osun.
“This choice follows the completion of the due process by the kingmakers and the communication of their decision to the government,” the statement added.
One of the kingmakers and secretary to Ife Traditional Council, Chief Adetoye Olatunde Odewole, told Daily Sun at the Ile-Odua Palace in Ife yesterday that Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi who contested alongside 36 other contestants from the Giesi Ruling House was unanimously voted winner by the 14 kingmakers and his name was submitted to the governor at the weekend for official announcement.
He further disclosed that the selection followed due process, adding that it was the turn of the Giesi Ruling House to produce the new Ooni.
Asked whether it was only the kingmakers’ decision that brought Oba Ogunwusi on board as the new Ooni, Chief Odewole said the Ifa Oracle was also consulted and gave the nod for the choice.
While also reacting to Prince Ogunwusi’s appointment, his father, Pa Ogunwusi enthused: “To God be the glory. God has sent him on a message. He will give him the grace to do the job well. The Glory of God has been upon him right from childhood with the hope that his fame will be heard about in the whole world and that has happened today and he is going to be a blessing to Ife people.”
In a related development, a prominent leader from the Giesi Ruling House and former Special Adviser to Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Youth and Special Needs, Mr Biyi Odunlade, said that Prince Ogunwusi’s emergence as the new Ooni was not by chance but by merit and popular vote by the kingmakers and the divine approval of the Ifa Oracle.
He assured that based on his amiable character, integrity, humility and passion for the culture, tradition and development of Ife, his emergence would bring more peace, progress and unity to not only Ife people but also the entire Yoruba race.
When Daily Sun visited the ancient town yesterday, there was heavy security presence, as heavily armed military men were on patrol, while armed policemen and officers of the Security and Civil Defence Corps were within the gate and premises of the palace.
Also, some kingmakers, palace chiefs and traditional rulers were in high spirits at the Emese courts of the palace.
There was palpable peace in the town, with everybody going about their normal businesses.
The members of the family of the Giesi Ruling House also trooped to the streets in jubilation over the appointment of their son, flaunting a big poster bearing the picture of Prince Ogunwusi.
The jubilation continued until they emptied into the house of Pa Ogunwusi, the father of the new monarch for celebration.
Since the death of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade at a London hospital on July 28, there had been tension and controversy in the race for a successor, a development which divided the four ruling houses, following the kingmakers’ endorsement of the Giesi Rulig House based on the 1980 Ife Chieftaincy Declaration.
In the circumstance, the Lafogido Ruling House went to court to challenge the decision.
But the Osun State High Court presided over by the Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, on Friday, dismissed the suit challenging the competence of the chieftaincy declaration.
The appointment of Ogunwusi has since put paid to the whole controversy.
Courtsey: sunnewsonline
