The NGF said this in a congratulatory message to the new Ooni of Ife, Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
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Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, rejoiced with Adeyeye on his nomination as Ooni by the kingmakers of Ife after a keenly contested but peaceful selection process and confirmation yesterday by Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State.
LEADERSHIP recalls that the 51st Ooni from the Giesi Ruling House succeeds Oba Okunade Sijuwade who joined his ancestors at a London hospital on July 28, 2015, at the ripe age of 83.
Buhari called on Adeyeye to dedicate himself to building on and surpassing the worthy legacies of his much-acclaimed predecessor, Oba Sijuwade.
The ancient city of Ile Ife was for several hours Thursday stood still for the Ooni designate Prince Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi who made a triumphal entry into the town for the first time since he was pronounce as the 51st Ooni of Ife by the Osun State government.
“He wishes the new Ooni a long and highly successful reign in the service of his people and country”.
In a paid announcement aired by an Ile Ife-based private radio station, Crown Fm, monitored in Osogbo, the palace urged all residents to dress well to receive Oba Ogunwusi.
However, authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife congratulated the indigenes and the people of Ile-Ife on the emergence of the new Ooni of Ife, Ogunwusi.
Secretary of the Giesi Ruling House, Adelowo Ogunleye, said the new Ooni will bear the title of Ojaja II, during his reign.
Sources around Ile Oodua, Ooni’s palace, informed our correspondent that a few rites that would herald the entrance of an Ooni-designate into Ile-Ife have been concluded already.
The NGF prayed Almighty Allah to guide, guard and grant the new Ooni the wisdom to be a good leader and to rule with the fear of Allah as he ascended the revered throne of his fore-fathers.
Lastly, we urge the new monarch to see his appointment as a call to service and upliftment of not just the Ife people but of the whole of humanity.
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Ogunwusi’s arrival caused heavy traffic jam on the roads in Ile Ife as youths and elders lined both sides of the road, singing songs of welcome as the new monarch entered into the heart of the town.
