From BAMIGBOLA GBOLAGUNTE, Akure
VICE President Yemi Osinbajo and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaa 11, were recently in Ilaramokin, a sleepy community in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.
It was an Ooni of Ife would visit the town since its existence. Like many other Yoruba towns, the progenitor of Ilaramokin, a community located close to Akure, the Ondo State capital, according to an historian, Chief Sina Adedipe, came from Ile-Ife and founded the town while on hunting expedition.
The Ooni is considered to be the representative of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race. Oba Ogunwusi since coming to throne has visited Owo, Akure, Ondo and Ikare Akoko, all in the state.
History was therefore made in Ilaramokin last week when he visited the town. Oba Ogunwusi was accompanied by at least 30 traditional rulers from different parts of Yoruba land. Although he was in the town to chair the second Foundation Lecture of
Elizade University, owned by a prominent indigene of the town and Chairman of Elizade Motors, Chief Michael Ade Ojo, he used the occasion to interact with the people.
Traditional rulers including the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo who is the chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo joined the Alara of Ilaramokin, Oba Aderemi Adefeyinti to receive the Ooni.
Over 100 obas met with the Ooni who addressed them in a closed-door meeting, aimed at ensuring unity and progress in Yoruba land. The meeting was said to be at the instance of the Ooni who used the opportunity to address sundry issues affecting the Yoruba nation.
At the campus of Elizade University, the Ooni called on all well meaning Yoruba across the world to work for the unity and development of the Yoruba nation.
Osinbajo who delivered the lecture also acknowledged the roles being played by the Ooni to ensure unity among all Yoruba across the world, even as he stressed the need for Yoruba to support the present administration.
In his lecture titled; “The Future is Here Earlier than We Thought”, the Vice President declared that the Federal Government has concluded arrangements to tackle the menace of pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region. He condemned the activities of Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), who claimed responsibility for the vandalism of petroleum pipelines in the region. He hinted that government has put machinery in motion to curtail the activities of NDA.
He said they are not fighting for the interest of the region, but after their selfish interest, saying this was responsible for government’s decision not to dialogue with them.
He stressed that the Buhari administration was prepared to develop the region, saying the recent cleaning of Ogoni land showed the commitment of the administration to the development of the region:
“Corruption brought Nigeria to this present situation we find ourselves. It will be difficult for any country to survive with the kind of stealing that had taken place in Nigeria.
“Our decision to fight corruption is aimed at bringing back the lost glory of the country and give the country a new identity.”
He disclosed that the Federal Government would train 25,000 youths on Information Communication Technology (ICT), as a means of providing jobs. He charged the youths to be multi-skilled experts, saying that the current situation in the country does not allow monolithic career.
Governor Olusegun Mimiko who was Special Guest called for the restructuring of the country, stressing that the future of the country is threatened by the current economic challenges in the country.
He made case for a true federal system of government, maintaining that restructuring remains the only key to the nation’s prosperity.Founder of the university, Chief Ojo, said the essence of gathering traditional rulers in Yoruba land was to promote the culture and tradition, saying that the rulers need to work hard to ensure that the culture of the race does not go into extinction.
Other dignitaries at the occasion included Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola represented by his Head of Service, Mr. Sunday Owoeye, wife of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Secretary to Ondo State Government, Dr. Rotimi Adelola, members of the state Executive Council and captains of industry.