By Dansu Peter
The Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran has described the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, as an uncommonly revered monarch who all true sons and daughters of Yoruba extraction should hold in high esteem and support him in taking Yorubaland to a greater height, saying that Ile-Ife remains the ancentra l home of the Ijesa people and the entire Yoruba race.
Oba Aromolaran who is the Paramount ruler of Ijesaland stated this on Tuesday evening in Ile-Ife during a historic courtesy visit to the African foremost monarch at his sprawling palace called ILE-OODUA.
The Owa who came with a large retinue of monarchs from Ijesaland, chiefs and prominent Ijesa sons and daughters said
"I am so happy to pay the Oonirisa a visit for the first time since he has mounted this sacred throne of our father Oduduwa"
"I see Your Majesty as God's chosen for this generation because your programme of 'peace and unity" that you preach around the world is what is needed at this time in Yorubaland". Oba Aromolaran said.
He futher explained he had visited the Ooni to personally invite him to his forthcoming 80th birthday ceremony holding later in the month of October 2017 at Ilesa.
"I'm here to personally invite the Arole Oodua to my 80th birthday coming later this month of October."
"This is the first time I would be celebrating my birthday on earth; and I see that I cannot do such without informing the Ooni of Ife and the entire people of Ile-Ife who are my direct siblings because this place is the ancestral home of all the Ijesa people and Yoruba as a whole".
"After deliberations at home with my children, the Obas, chiefs, and prominent Ijesas childrens at home and in diaspora; it was unanimously decided that Ooni of Ife and Alaafin of Oyo should be the Royal Fathers of the day. That is why I had to come and personally invite Oonirisa to the event as I cannot send the invite to Ooni through a representative, "Oba Aromolaran said.
He concluded with a pledge to join Ooni in his peace movement and always be part of any event being put together to celebrate the sacred throne of Oduduwa.
In his remarks, Ooni Ogunwusi appreciated God for sparing the life of Oba Adekunle Aromolaran to be witnessing 80 years of age and acknowledged God for giving the royal father sound health and long life on the throne. He however assured Oba Aromolaran and his people of his physical presence at the occasion as invited.
"Kabiyesi, you will recall that I have visited you twice at your palace in Ilesa since I was enthroned as the Ooni of Ife less than two years ago"
"Thank you so much for this honour, this place undoubtedly belongs to you and all other descendants of Oduduwa as we Ife people are just the ones keeping home for everyone"
"Though, you are now 80 year old, but you look boyish dancing with all your might. I pray to God to grant you more years on the throne with good health". Ooni said.
While pledging to maintain peace and harmony among the traditional rulers and use all in his capacity to make life bearable for all and sundry, the Ooni of Ife however expressed joy to have been born in the same month of October with the Owa and asked all the people born in October who were in the hall numbering about 30 to come out to receive different envelopes of cash gifts.
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