The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has expressed deep admiration for Governor Babangana Zulum’s commitment to rebuilding Borno State.
The monarch made the commendation on Friday evening in Maiduguri during a private meeting with Governor Zulum at the Government House.
“I like what you are doing, I am very proud of you. I want to come closer to you. I have been a fan of yours for a long time, and you are a role model to many young people in this country. You have proven to everybody that you are truly a reformer. A lot of us are watching you; we support everything you do,” the Ooni said while describing the Borno governor as a true reformer and a beacon of transformative leadership.
The Ooni, who is the Chairman, Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC) was in the Borno to attend the combined convocation ceremony of the state-owned Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri also lauded Zulum for his commitment to development of the state capital.
“You have always been passionate about Maiduguri, and I always say to myself, ‘what is in Maiduguri that you are so passionate about?’ But today I came to Maiduguri, and I now see why you are always running back. I felt it when I came here. Honestly speaking, Borno is a beautiful state.”
The Ooni also gave a brief historical account of the ancient ties between the Kanuri and Yoruba people. He cited deep-rooted historical and bloodlineages connecting the two ethnic nationalities.
He said,
“For me, as a traditional ruler from Ife, the Kanuris are our cousins, we are blood relatives, very strongly as in very, very strongly. I am a student of history, and I met our link and our affiliation.
“I am an advocate now, I will tell people to come and invest, I saw a vast amount of land, arable for any kind of farming, this state can indeed feed the entire country.”
To further cement this fraternal bond, the Royal Majesty presented Governor Zulum with an ancient gift—a symbolic artefact representing the rich cultural heritage and historical depth of the Yoruba people. The gift, he explained, is a token of deep respect and a reminder of the enduring ties between the Southwest and the Northeast.
Ooni was accompanied by the Ajero of Ijero- Ekiti Oba Joseph Adewole Adebayo, the ALAAGBA of Aagba, Oba Rufus Olayinka Ogunwole, ONIGBAYE of Igbaye, Oba Joseph Okunlola Oni, Salu of Edunabon, Oba, Kehinde Adesoji Oladepo, and the Vice Chancellor of the OJAJA University, Ilorin, Professor Jeleel Ojuade.
Governor Zulum, in his response, expressed profound gratitude for the Ooni’s visit and for accepting the appointment to serve as the Chancellor of Kashim Ibrahim University.
He described the monarch as a unifying figure and a dedicated champion of national unity and cultural preservation.
Zulum pledged to continue his administration’s work towards sustainable development and peace in Borno State.
