In a significant show of royal solidarity, the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has extended warm felicitations to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on the occasion of his 10th coronation anniversary.
A Royal Salute from Oyo to Ife
The message was delivered in a formal statement issued on Sunday, 7th December 2025, in Oyo town by the Alaafin's Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye. Speaking on behalf of fellow Yoruba traditional rulers, the Alaafin stated he joined the indigenes of the Oyo Kingdom, the Osun State Government, and its people in celebrating this milestone.
Oba Owoade I commended the Ooni for his unwavering commitment and resilience in steering the affairs of his domain. He highlighted that the monarch's vast exposure, deep knowledge, and natural charisma, which were evident even before his ascension, have significantly contributed to expanding the influence and impact of the ancient throne of Ife.
Wisdom, Warmth, and a Prayer for Peace
The Alaafin expressed his firm belief that the Ooni's characteristic wisdom, warmth, and friendly disposition are catalysts for fostering peace and civility within his kingdom and beyond. He offered prayers, asking the Almighty God to continue to bless Oba Ogunwusi and grant him many more years of a fruitful and prosperous reign.
In a poetic tribute, the Titan of Yorubaland reflected, "If gratitude is the great opener of the heart, then Ooni of Ife’s heart should be busted wide open to the sweetness of this moment." He elaborated on the soul-nurturing power of gratitude, which he said bestows reverence and allows for everyday epiphanies that transform one's experience of life and the world.
A Clarion Call for Unity Among Monarchs
Seizing the moment, Oba Owoade I issued a powerful call for unity among the nation's traditional rulers. He emphasized that solidarity, sincerity, and dedication are paramount for monarchs to remain relevant in contemporary society.
"As monarchs, all of us have just three responsibilities," he declared. "We are saddled with the maintenance of peace, culture, and tradition. Kings are not religious leaders. Our responsibility, as handed over to us in our certificates, is to be custodians of the legacies of our ancestors, so that they do not go extinct."
He argued that true unity must be built on a foundation of mutual trust, understanding, and reciprocal brotherly relations, alongside shared interests, values, and aspirations. This unity, he noted, is best promoted through tolerance and the accommodation of differences in opinion, ethnicity, religion, and communal identity.
Linking this royal duty to the national fabric, the Alaafin stated, "Unity in diversity is a core principle of federalism. Nigeria, as a federation with a complex mosaic of diversity, needs to continue to find, and deploy, ways and means of forging, entrenching, and sustaining unity in diversity and national integration."
Concluding his message, the revered monarch reiterated his wishes for the Ooni of Ife, praying for many more prosperous and impactful years ahead on the throne.
