IFE/Nigeria: The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, His Majesty, King Monday Obukohwo Whiskey PhD, Udurhie I, have called for deeper collaboration between Nigeria’s traditional rulers and political leadership to strengthen national unity and preserve cultural heritage.
The two revered monarchs also urged the federal government to redouble efforts in addressing infrastructural gaps in the Niger Delta and critical federal roads in other parts of the country.
They commended President Bola Tinubu for his transformative policies, which they noted are beginning to yield positive results, while calling on Nigerians to support and pray for his administration to succeed.
They made the call during a historic visit of the Urhobo monarch to the Ooni of Ife at his palace, Ile Oduduwa, in Ile-Ife, Osun State, last week.
The Ooni, who expressed delight at the visit, praised Udurhie I for his remarkable contributions in projecting the Idjerhe Kingdom to the global stage.
Describing the encounter as a moment of cultural unity and royal friendship, Oba Ogunwusi said: “Thank you for coming all the way from Idjerhe in Delta State. I thank you for showing Idjerhe Kingdom to the entire world. I want to assure you that we will work more closely for the betterment of the two kingdoms and southern Nigeria. We’ll work closer for the betterment of Nigeria as a whole. Thank you for all you do for the people of Idjerhe, Niger Delta and Nigeria. You deserve to be celebrated. I urge the people of Idjerhe Kingdom to support, revere and honour him. We, traditional rulers, live for the people, for their betterment, for their welfare and their greatness.”
On his part, the Idjerhe monarch, who was accompanied by a delegation that included former three-time member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Halims Agoda, Chief (Col.) Festus Agisogu and Chief Otite Anighoro, emphasised that while politicians may falter, the royal institution “cannot and should not afford to fail” as it remains the custodian of tradition and a unifying force in the country.
“We remain the group that holds the nation together. We are the source of the traditional fabric and our heritage. Sustaining the royal institution is essential, and you (the Ooni) have been doing this very well,” Udurhie I told his host.
He appealed for greater federal government attention to the South-South, particularly in terms of appointments and infrastructure, stressing that the region’s immense contributions to national revenue deserve commensurate recognition.
The Idjerhe monarch cited the urgent need for improved road networks to ease access to Niger Delta communities, noting that the region’s overreliance on river transport hinders development and weakens security monitoring.
He praised the Ooni for his contributions to the country’s development and urged him to continue using his respected position as co-chairman of the Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council to speak for the people.
Highlighting the resilience of his forebears in defending the Idjerhe Kingdom’s autonomy and cultural practices, including the Okurru native communication system, Udurhie I noted that the kingdom’s 97 communities are all oil-producing, underscoring their significance to the nation’s economic stability.
He further called on the Ooni and other traditional rulers to sustain engagements with the federal government to ensure equitable development, stressing that peace and stability in the Niger Delta are tied to how well its people are integrated into national governance.
The Idjerhe monarch pledged his kingdom’s support for collaborative efforts aimed at strengthening the traditional institution and fostering unity across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
The Ooni later hosted his guest and the delegation to a royal dinner and a stage play on Yoruba ancient warfare at the royal art gallery hall, where he presented the ancient Ojaja plaque to the Idjerhe king and pledged to also visit the Idjerhe Kingdom.
