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By Emmanuel Adeleke
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has urged President Bola Tinubu not to waste time in tackling the challenges confronting the country, as a man of action that he is known to be.
This was contained in a statement issued by the monarch’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare.
The monarch, who congratulated Tinubu on his inauguration as Nigeria’s President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, added that capable Nigerian youths should be engaged by his administration as the country deserves its rightful position within the committee of nations globally.
“Mr President, congratulations from The House of Oduduwa to you and your amiable wife who is now the mother of the nation as you have officially taken the mantle of leadership as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“As we celebrate this remarkable day of your inauguration with you, we wish you monumental success in all the policies of your administration so that Nigeria can become great again and maintain her rightful position not only as truly the giant of Africa but also as a leader within the committee of nations globally.
“We trust that your administration will be marked by good governance characterised by transformational economic growth, adequate security and progress for all Nigerians both at home and in diaspora.
“We also trust that you will leverage your wealth of experience as a man of progressive action in mobilising resources and managing diverse interests to unify Nigeria across political, ethnic and religious lines,” he said.
The Ooni. who doubles asco-chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) charged Tinubu to carry the traditional institution along, especially in tackling the security challenges in the country.
“The traditional rulers in this country are the closest to the people as there is nobody in Nigeria who is not a subject of a particular traditional ruler; this is why it is important for the government to empower us with more strategic constitutional role, especially in the area of security management and conflict resolutions,” the monarch said.
Ooni also urged the president to partner progressive African leaders and friends of Africa across the globe like President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who recently hosted the monarch and his team in Brasilia, the country’s capital for the unveiling of Annual African Traditional Religion Day celebration.
“As truly the giant of Africa, Nigeria must first of all be great for Nigerians under your watch, and Nigeria must provide progressive leadership of unity and peace for the greatness of Africa under your watch. I have interacted with some African presidents who are truly looking up to Nigeria under your watch as the big brother Africa. This of course dominated our discussions during my meeting with President Williams Ruto at the State House in Nairobi, Kenya two months ago.
“Also, the current government in Brazil under President Luiz Inácio LuLa da Silva has developed numerous pro Africa policies and programmes. I expect the presidency of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who himself a Pan-Africanist to take advantage of this for the greatness of Africa,” Ooni added.
Recall that Oba Ogunwusi, who is the natural head of Oduduwa race worldwide had three months ago charged Tinubu upon his declaration as president-elect to hit the ground running by quickly assembling a transition team of cerebral individuals to put up an economic blueprint capable liberating Nigerians from poverty and insecurity.
