Obasanjo, Soyinka charge Ooni to focus on Yoruba unity

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka have charged the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to focus on his mission to unite the Yoruba race and step up his unification efforts to unite traditional rulers in Yoruba land.

Obasanjo and Soyinka gave the charge in their separate remarks during an event organised to mark the first anniversary of Ooni on the throne, held at Ile-Oduduwa in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Obasanjo said he has been monitoring the activities of Oba Ogunwusi since his coronation and urged the monarch to take the unification agenda as a major assignment for the unity and development of Yoruba land.

"I have paid keen interest in the unification move of the Ooni since his ascension to the throne. It is commendable. We need someone like the Ooni to ensure that the Yoruba nation remained undivided," he said.

Soyinka also spoke about the need for Yoruba race to unite and urged Oba Ogunwusi to intensify his efforts aimed at bringing Yoruba people together.

On the controversy surrounding the myth of Moremi Ajasoro that was celebrated by the Ooni, Soyinka advised Ooni to ignore detractors and concentrate on his mission to unite the Yoruba race.

 Soyinka said, “I learnt that some people said that Moremi, the heroine, is a traitor. That does not touch any part of reality of what Moremi was. Anyone who considered Moremi as a traitor was not saying the truth or ignorant of it. I advise Oba Ogunwusi not to dignify such people with [a] response.”

"I can see that you are sent on a mission of the unity of the Yoruba people wherever they are in any part of the world. I promise to work with you to bring that dream to reality," Soyinka said.