In a historic visit that reaffirmed deep ancestral ties and cultural unity, the Ooni of Ife and Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, was warmly received by the people of Okunland in Kogi State over the weekend.
The revered monarch was in Mopa to attend the first coronation anniversary of the Elulu of Mopa Kingdom and Chairman of the Mopamuro Local Government Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun. During his visit, the Ooni held a private meeting with Okun traditional rulers before participating in the public celebrations, where he was hailed as the “number one king with enviable character.”
In his address, Ooni Ogunwusi, who also serves as the Permanent Chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas and Chiefs, emphasized the importance of preserving the Okun people’s historical roots in Ile-Ife, which he described as the spiritual and ancestral home of the Yoruba race. He called on the people to remain proud of their heritage and maintain strong ties to the Oduduwa lineage.
“Okun means strength,” the Ooni stated. “Your name is not a coincidence. Wherever the Okun people are, they display unmatched strength and resilience. You are a vital part of our Oduduwa family—just like the Oyo, Egba, Ekiti, and others who migrated from Ile-Ife. Never let artificial boundaries separate us.”
He further noted that their geographical classification within Northern Nigeria should not erase their Yoruba identity, encouraging them to stay connected to their roots.
The Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Okun Area Traditional Council, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, described the visit as historic and emotionally significant for the people of Okunland. “Our father, today is unforgettable. This is your home away from home. We are proud descendants of Ile-Ife and remain eternally loyal to your leadership,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Elulu of Mopa, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun, praised the Ooni’s inspiring leadership style, noting that many traditional rulers across the South now emulate his approach. “Your enviable character has made you a role model. Obas now dress, walk, and carry themselves like you. That is true leadership,” he said.
The event was highlighted by the presentation of a special leadership award to the Ooni by the Okun Traditional Rulers Council, recognizing him as the natural father of the entire Oduduwa race.
Ooni Ogunwusi, who is the 51st Ooni of Ife and Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is also the founder of Ojaja University in Ilorin and the developer of several high-impact projects including the Ife Grand Resort, Inagbe Grand Resort in Lagos, and Ojaja Park in Akure.
He also holds multiple leadership positions across traditional councils in Nigeria, including Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers (SNCTR) and Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN). His Pan-African influence is widely acknowledged, having engaged with several world leaders and traditional rulers across Africa and beyond.
The visit marks a significant milestone in fostering cultural unity and development across regions, as the Okun people reaffirm their loyalty and commitment to the Oduduwa heritage under the spiritual guidance of the Ooni of Ife.
