Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on Thursday, said he would rally all the six governors in the Southwest to involve the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams in securing the region against the prevailing killings and kidnappings.
Adeyeye gave the assurances in Ile-Ife during the celebration of the 2024 edition of Oodua Festival, organized by the Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF).
Ooni, who was represented by the Obalufe of Ife Kingdom, Oba Idowu Adediwura, said the killings of two Obas in Ekiti state was a bad omen and a pointer to the fact that the southwest is becoming too volatile, as bad elements are making the region unsafe for the people.
He, however, added that he would do everything possible to get the nod of the governors to involve Iba Gani Adams in securing the southwest region.
“It is time to use what we have to get what we want. We want peace in Yorubaland. We want effective security of lives and property. We want to sleep with our two eyes closed and we have a rising star who can make that possible.
Meanwhile, Adams in his remarks called for a holistic approach to solving the security scourge across Nigeria, assuring the governors of the southwest region to involve him in fighting the security challenges in the region.
“As the Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, we will not allow the Plateau massacre to be replicated in any part of Yorubaland.
“But it must be stated that there is an urgent need for a lasting synergy between the government and the people at the grassroots.
“With the present security situation in the country, it is obvious that the government cannot do it alone.
“The battle to curb the spate of insecurity should be a collective effort and the government should involve us in addressing this issue.
“If the governors of the southwest involve me in their efforts to curb insecurity in the region, I assure you that the security challenges in the region will reduce drastically within six months”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Osun state commissioner for Arts and Culture, Mr Abiodun Fafa, who represented Governor Ademola Adeleke promised that the state government will partner with the Olokun Festival Foundation in celebrating Oodua festival in Ile Ife.
“We didn’t know that the Oodua festival is such a big event. I assure you that by next year, the Osun state government will be involved.
