Olugbo’s Supremacy Claim: Soyinka Tells Ooni to Focus on Yoruba’s Unity

By Abdulrofiu Agboola, Osogbo

The Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, on Wednesday said the position of Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Frederick Akinruntan, who described Moremi Ajasoro as a traitor did not deserve any response.

He contended that “the position of Olugbo does not touch the reality on Moremi and his position does not deserve a response or not worthy of response”.

Soyinka, who spoke during the one year coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, held at the banquet hall, Ile Oodua, maintained that nobody can claim to know the source of humanity, stressing that “there were divergent views on the source of humanity

Soyinka, who also identified the need for people of Yoruba race to unite, maintained that one of the controversial matters among the Yoruba leaders remained the origin of Ile-Ife.

He argued that anyone who considered Moremi as a traitor was not saying the “reality”.

He said, “There is controversy about the origin of someone whom we know as the origin of Yoruba race, kingdom, black race and humanity. The controversy may continue for long but the reality I that Kabiesi, the Ooni of Ife above all Ile-Ife is the cradle of humanity.

“We know what we know; we know what we accept and believe and that remains the fact. I have just gone to see the statue of Moremi and the controversy on Moremi her, I have heard. I learnt that some people said that Moremi, the heroine, is a traitor. That does not touch any part of reality of what Moremi is or was. And I don’t want you (Ooni) to spend any time or energy at all responding to counter or alternative theories. It is not necessary.”

According to him, the influence of Ile-Ife transcends Nigeria and Africa. “If you walk on the street of Cuba or Brazil, somebody will tap you on your shoulder because they know you are black, they say ‘who are you?’ And you say ‘I am Osun, Ogun, Sango’. At the end, they will ask you how is the Ooni? It means the Yoruba race, culture is beyond this environment,” he added.

Describing Ooni as the Yoruba’s reality, he maintained that the race’s culture had gone beyond speculation, just as he said “it is natural and spiritual. The historical status of   Ile-ife as the cradle of the mankind remains incontrovertible and Ooni Enitan Ogunwusi is the reality of our time”.

While lauding Oba Ogunwusi pursuit of unity and cohesion among the Yoruba race, particularly among traditional rulers, Soyinka stated that “Ooni is sent on a mission.

That mission according to Prof Wole Soyinka is the unity of Yoruba race, including its culture and vision.

“We promise to support you in your resolve to build bridge of unity and peace among our people”.

In his speech, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi emphasized the importance of peace and unity, just as he vowed not to stop his moves to make the yoruba nation one.

Oba Ogunwusi explained that his one-year of ascension to the throne was focused on tourism, agriculture and youth emancipation.

He said, “There must be peace in yoruba nation and entire country. It is when there is peace among yoruba leaders that we will progress and develop. Our peaceful co-existence is non-negotiable that is why we are preaching peace and I will continue to preach it.

“We won’t stop working and we will continue to seek partnership with the three tiers of government.”

Speaking earlier, former President Olusegun Obasanjo commended Ooni for preserving the custom and culture of Yorubaland, noting that with his one year on the throne, he had done a lot in enhancing peace and cooperation among the traditional rulers in the South West”.

I have been watching the Ooni with his transformation moves since his  ascendancy on the throne.I have been studying his zeal for unification of all interests in Yoruba land with keen interest, and I commend him for that, i wish him long life on the throne and continuity of his good works”, he said.

According to Obasanjo, “Yorubas have been yearning for a leader. Now, they have got it. Ooni’s one year on the throne of his forefathers has further enhanced the unity and collective interest of the Yoruba race and this exemplary leadership virtue deserves commendation”.