Ooni has turned Ife into global destination —Mahama, Ghana’s ex-president

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has been described as a king with an uncommon aura  which  has continued to lure, attract, endear, excite, invite, magnetize distinguished people all over the world to the ancient city of Ile–Ife, thereby turning it into a global destination of excellence.

The former president  of Ghana, Mr John Mahama, who made this observation in a chat with the  media at the palace of  the Ooni said that, the Oba has  dispelled this aura  all over the world, thus turning  Ile–Ife into a global destination  for all who care to enrich and avail themselves  of the authentic  cultural history of the Yoruba race.

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Mr Mahama pointed out that the Ooni has within his short stay on the throne raised and elevated Ile–Ife, the source of the Yoruba from the scale of mere historical referencing to the pinnacle and front burner of a global destination.

He said that Oba Ogunwusi  was not only    a royal cultural father for the Yoruba race alone, but also an intercontinental cultural and royal gift from   Africa.

The former president of Ghana said  that the  Ooni,  since the first day of his epochal coronation has  sent a strong note to the global audience  of his passion for peace, seamless unity, cultural–tourism renaissance, inter-regional understanding, intercontinental harmony and  global race networking.

He disclosed that he has been a keen follower of the giant strides of the Ooni, particularly his quests for unity amongst the traditional rulers in West–Africa, his passion for streamlining and aligning cultural ethos and stereotyping   with contemporary development and his agrarian passion for the enhancement and sustainability of the cultural values, heritage, tradition for the economic empowerment of the people.

Ex-President Mahama thanked the Ooni for the warm reception, describing the Ife kingdom as the root of the rich African culture.

“I am overwhelmed by the welcome I got and the  atmosphere since I stepped out of the car. The drums, dance, songs, dressing and others are indeed wonderful.

“As a student of history, I have read and studied that Ile-Ife kingdom as the cradle of human race, and the kingdom occupies a high position in the global history.

“I have come to return His Imperial Majesty’s visit to the Republic of Ghana two years ago, especially to encourage him in his efforts at unifying the African continent. I’m impressed and I appreciate everything done in my honour.”

In his response, Oba Ogunwusi said that the African continent remains one big family, despite the boundaries between her countries and communities.

He remarked: “Before the advent of  Western civilization, there were no boundaries between the African nations and communities we were one big family.But it gladdens my heart that with committed individuals like ex-President Mahama, we have remained that united big family working together for the progress of the African continent.”

Oba Ogunwusi commended Mr Mahama further:  “When I was in Ghana to honour Mr. President two years ago, he was in power, to the glory of God, he displayed humility and simplicity.  He didn’t even wait for any aide to do anything for me. He did it by himself. He made tea and offered me by himself. There is no difference between when he was in power and when he is not. That’s humility and simplicity”

It will be recalled that the visiting former president of Ghana had once played a host to Ooni Ogunwusi and entourage while the top African monarch was on a five-day working visit to Ghana in 2016.

The former Ghanaian leader was accompanied by his elder sister Alhaja Sherifat Dundu and her husband, Alhaji Bisi Dundu. Others are Chief of Staff to the former president, Mr Julius Debra, Alhaja Olusola Shodeinde, Professor Jeleel Ojuade of the University of Ilorin and Bashorun Dele Momodu, Publisher, Ovation Magazine.