The Oore of Otun-Ekiti, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, has dismissed claims that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, recently conferred the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on businessman Dotun Sanusi.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Oba Adeagbo clarified that while the Ooni has the power to bestow such titles, he has not made any such appointment. This comes after the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, demanded that the Ooni revoke the title within 48 hours, arguing that the power to confer the Okanlomo title belongs solely to the Alaafin.
The Oore’s press release, issued by his Chief Press Secretary Akogun Banjo Ayinde, made it clear that Oba Ogunwusi had never intended to confer the Okanlomo title on anyone. The Oore stated, “For the avoidance of doubt, the Ooni has never conceived, let alone installed anyone as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland.”
The statement went further to highlight the Ooni’s role as the spiritual head of the Yoruba race and his authority to confer titles of territorial relevance if necessary. However, the Oore emphasized that the Ooni’s focus lies on unifying the Yoruba people across Nigeria and the African diaspora, with an emphasis on fostering peace, progress, and development.
Oba Adeagbo also stressed the importance of moving beyond archaic struggles for territorial titles. “Leadership is never by forceful enthronement nor by empty threats, but by service, wisdom, and natural acceptability,” he stated. He reminded the public that in today’s era, leadership is rooted in service and not in the forceful control of territories.
The statement also touched upon the Ooni’s ongoing efforts to uplift the Yoruba people. Since his ascension to the throne, the Ooni has spearheaded several major initiatives, including the creation of Ojaja Smart City in Ibadan, which is expected to create 20,000 jobs. Other projects include Inagbe Grand Resort in Lagos, Ife Grand Resort and Industrial Hub in Ile-Ife, and Ojaja University in Kwara State, all of which aim to provide employment and stimulate economic growth within the region.
The Oore concluded by urging that the time for the struggle over monarchial rights was long past, citing the example of empires like the Shongai and Mali that had been overtaken by the rise of constitutional democracies.
