We don’t want problem in Ekiti, Yorubaland —Ooni

THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, was on Saturday, conferred with Doctor of Philosophy degree (honoris causa) by the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti along with other dignitaries as the university held its 23rd convocation ceremonies.

At the occasion, Oba Ogunwusi charged the people of Ekiti State to ensure a peaceful election on July 14 and warned against violence in the polls.

“As the custodian of our heritage and culture in Yorubaland, we don’t want violence again in Yorubaland and Ekiti is taking the lead because that’s where we are having the first election,” he said.

“We don’t want anybody to put us against one another. We want the people to decide. Power belongs to the people. Let the people decide and let peace reign in Ekiti. We will continue to pray for you (Ekiti people)  for a peaceful election. Let us put Ekiti first and the progress of Ekiti should be paramount,” he added.

Also honoured with PhD at the ceremony were the Odoba of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Alex Olu Ajayi; a philanthropist, Dr. Sehinde Olatunji; a bank executive, Dr. Falil Ayo Abina; a business magnate, Mr. Israel Ovirih and an alumnus, Mr. Oladapo Olusegun Abiodun.

Oba Ogunwusi commended the wife of Ekiti State governor, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose, and wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Janet Olusola, who graduated with Master’s of Education (M.Ed) in Guidance and Counselling at the convocation.

ALSO READ: Ekiti 2018: PPC threatens gov election with law suit over INEC’s disqualification of candidate

He commended the women for choosing to study at home for their Degree programmes, “even when they have the opportunity to go abroad like others, but they struggled for seats with EKSU students and submitted assignments.”

Speaking, the Vice Chancellor of EKSU, Professor Samuel Oye Bandele, noted that the 23rd convocation of the varsity was the first time that alumni members that have distinguished themselves in their various careers would be honoured with doctorate degrees.

49 students bagged first class degrees out of 9,796 graduates, while 384 bagged higher degrees.