OSUN 2026: OONI CALLS FOR PEACE, UNITY AS GOV. ADELEKE PRESENTS CERTIFICATE OF RETURN
.. SEEKS MORE ROADS, INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ILE-IFE
The Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and the Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has called for peace, unity and continued development across Osun State, urging political leaders and residents to put the interests of the people above partisan considerations.
In a statement by the Senior Media Officer, Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal, on behalf of the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, the Ooni who is also the Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) made the call on Sunday evening when the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, visited the monarch at the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife to formally present his Certificate of Return following his victory in the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
Governor Adeleke arrived at the palace alongside his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi; Chairman of the Imole Campaign Council, Professor Wale Oladipo; members of the State Executive Council and other government officials and political stakeholders.
Speaking during the visit, Adeleke described the occasion as one of thanksgiving and appreciation, saying he came to present his Certificate of Return to the Ooni and seek the monarch’s continued prayers and support.
“We are here to praise God and to show appreciation. I came here to present the Certificate of Return. I feel Baba’s prayers. Whenever I encounter challenges, I always feel the courage that Baba has prayed for me, and I feel the prayer,” the governor said.
Adeleke expressed appreciation to the people of Ile-Ife for their support, noting that the ancient city had continued to witness transformation under his administration.
“I thank all Ife. Ife has to look good. Ife has now changed from a town to a city. All that you have said is well noted. I want Ife to become finer,” he said.
The governor assured the people that his administration would intensify development projects immediately after his inauguration, stressing that his administration would focus on transforming Osun from a predominantly civil service-dependent state into an industrialised economy.
“Today is just appreciation. Immediately after the inauguration, work will start. Osun State will now henceforth move from a civil servant state to an industrial state,” Adeleke stated.
Earlier, the Lowa Adimula of Ife, Oba Adekola Adeyeye, urged the governor to pay greater attention to infrastructure in Ile-Ife, particularly the construction and rehabilitation of roads.
He appealed to the governor to ensure that the interests of Ile-Ife remained a priority in the administration’s development agenda.
Also speaking, the Obalufe of Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura, congratulated Adeleke on his electoral victory, attributing his return to office to the support of the people and the efforts of his administration.
The Obalufe also called on the governor to improve the appearance and facilities at the Ife Township Stadium, urging the government to undertake comprehensive rehabilitation of the facility.
The Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Joseph Olubiyi Toriola, also joined other traditional rulers in congratulating the governor and calling for sustained development, peace and unity among the people of the state.
In his remarks, the Ooni commended Adeleke for his commitment to the development of Osun State, while urging him to use his renewed mandate to promote inclusive governance and ensure that no community is left behind.
“We want peace in Ife. We thank God that there was no bloodshed in Ife during the governorship election. We don’t want violence again in Osun,” the Ooni said.
Ooni Ogunwusi urged the governor to make the welfare and development of Ile-Ife a priority, expressing confidence that Adeleke would fulfil his promises to the ancient city.
“I trust that you will fulfil all that is necessary for Ife,” the Ooni said.
The Ooni also acknowledged the role of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in providing resources and support that had enabled the state government to execute infrastructure projects across Osun.
He specifically commended the President Tinubu for the funds and interventions that, according to him, had contributed to the execution of road projects and other infrastructure across the state, including Ile-Ife.
The Ooni urged the governor to sustain the momentum by expanding development projects, improving infrastructure and strengthening the relationship between the government and traditional institutions.