Towards Yoruba unity

IN one of my visits to the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, Olubuse II, I suggested to him that, as a way to douse the tension of disaffection among leading Yoruba Obas and a way of promoting Yoruba unity, the Kabiyesi should begin to take unexpected public relations steps among Yoruba Obas. It is instructive that subsequently, when part of the palace of the Alaafin was gutted with fire, the Ooni paid him a solidarity and sympathy visit and most probably gave a donation for the rehabilitation of the palace.

Since the present Ooni, the much younger Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, came on the ancient throne of Ife a year ago, he has embarked on such first-class moves that are far beyond his age, and has laid a solid foundation for the peace, unity and progress of the Yoruba race. He has personally visited the Alaafin, the Awujale, the Alake, the Olubadan, the Oba of Lagos, the Alara, the Ajero, and the Ewi, among others. In the case of the Owa Adimula whose action at a previous meeting of the Osun Council of Obas could have provoked conflict, Oba Ogunwusi had maturely and wisely reacted in a way that baffled many. Rather than pick a quarrel, he went on a visit to the Owa in his palace at Ilesa. He made the host Oba feel small and portrayed true leadership. In all the palaces the Ooni visited, his host brother Obas could not but praise his initiative and promise their full cooperation in his pursuit of Yoruba unity and cohesion.

I was extremely delighted at the great opportunity the first anniversary of the coronation of the new Ooni Ogunwusi on Wednesday the 7th of December, 2016, provided for the feuding former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Nobel Laureatte Professor Wole Soyinka to bury the hatchet and move forward in peace, tranquility and mutual respect befitting their exalted and highly esteemed positions in life. The two great men, no doubt building on the foundation and noble example of the Ooni, embraced each other and decided to put the ugly past of throwing words at each other behind them.

I know Chief Obasanjo and Professor Soyinka very well; both of them know me too and are my good friends, Obasanjo from when he was GOC- II of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan and Soyinka from our days as members of the drama group, Player of the Dawn in Ibadan, with the likes of Professors Mabogunje, Adegbola, Dr. Christopher Kolade, Frances Ademola, Olu Falomo and late Segun Olusola, Bayo Akinola and Femi Johnson. In the case of Obasanjo, we had a common senior friend in late Dr. Bayo Banjo.

The Ooni has also been using his high office to project Yoruba history and culture. The Gani Adams of this world, the Jimo Alius and others have received his recognition, support and attention, just like he has been fraternising with prominent Yoruba political leaders of different persuasions without any discrimination. His goal and main concern has been Yoruba unity and ascendancy. Whatever political parties they belong to at any given time, politicians of Yoruba extraction must have as their main objective and pre-occupation, the paramount position, unity, peace and progress of their race. Omo ale lo ma nfi owo osi juwe ile baba e (it is the bastard child who would care less about his place of birth).

On Moremi Ajasoro, I align with the position of Wole Soyinka. I grew up to learn the history of the heroism of the great woman, the Esther of our time. At almost 80, no new twists or bastardisation can change my mind or the truth and authenticity of history. I am sure and feel confident that Oba Ogunwusi will know how to handle this undue distraction and falsification of the history that is so widely and popularly known and accepted everywhere.

Let me seize this opportunity to talk about the Odole of the Source who is the Secretary of the House of Oduduwa. The last two holders of the prestigious title were Chief Obafemi Awolowo himself and Chief GOK, Ajayi, both from Ogun State and of blessed memory. I want to make bold to ask that the Ooni should make an Ekiti man the next Odole. If it does not have to be a lawyer I recommend Dr. Kunle Olajide and Professor Banji Akintoye in that order. If it has to be a lawyer, my nominations are Femi Falana, SAN and Wole Olanipekun, SAN, also in that order.

I congratulate Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife on his first anniversary on the throne of his forebears. I wish him many more years in good health and prosperity. Surely morning shows the day, the first year has been so successful and remarkable that it is a precursor of the happy things to come. Ki ade ko pe lori ki bata pe lese, ase a pe lenu, esin oba a je oko pe, igba odun, odun kan ni o.

• Dr Olasope, MON, is Otunba Agunsoye Of Efon Kingdom