Ooni of Ife Calls for Unity among Yorubas

By Rafiu Agboola

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja 11), on Thursday said there was need to promote unity among all the Yorubas, irrespective of religion and political divides, saying healthy development can only be achieved through genuine peace and unity.

He made this known in Ile-Ife, when he received the management of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publisher of the Tribune Titles led by the Editor-In-Chief (EIC) and the Managing Director, Mr Edward Dickson during a courtesy visit in his palace.

Oba Ogunwusi, who described Ile-Ife and Awolowo dynasty as inseparable entity said it was incumbent on all Nigerians to imbibe patriotism, sense of unity and love for the nation exhibited by the founder of the Nigerian Tribune, Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

According to him, “if there is unity and harmony among our people, the struggle to attain enviable development in all facets of life as far as Nigeria is concerned would be an easy task”.

While recalling that the idea to establish Tribune newspaper was conceptualised inside the palace of the Ooni of Ife in the late 40s, Oba Ogunwusi said Tribune as a corporate entity and the Ile-Ife are bonded by historical unity and love.

He urged the management of the ANN Plc to continue to uphold the ideals and virtues of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in forging ahead as the oldest surviving private newspaper in the country.

In his remark, the MD/EIC of the ANN Plc, Mr Edward Dickson assured the monarch that the Tribune Titles would continue to support the revered stool of the Ooni of Ife by promoting and protecting the cultural heritage of the Yorubaland.

He stated, “we are here to pay homage and also pledge our support to you on the throne of the your forefathers. The relationship between the Nigerian Tribune and the palace of the Ooni of Ife had spanned decades and we would continue to nurture it to the benefit of not only Ile-Ife, but also the entire Yoruba race”.

Dickson later presented about 16 books written by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and other souvenirs of the ANN Plc to Oba Ogunwusi.

Among the entourage of the MD/EIC include the Editor, Nigerian Tribune, Mr Debo Abdulahi, Editor Saturday Tribune, Mr Lasisi Olagunju, Editor Sunday Tribune, Mr Sina Oladehinde, Sales Manager, Dr Omotayo Lewis, Senior Manager (Advertisement), Mr Kayode Titiloye, Controller (Business Development), Mr Fola Oke and the Chief Accountant, Mrs Oluremi Olufisayo.