We need to cement our togetherness in this country because without the coming together of the Igbo and Yoruba natives, it will be very difficult for Nigeria and the entire continent of Africa to progress – Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi
As Indigenous People of Nigeria works towards a synergy that will establish a Nigeria of everyone dream the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has described the Yoruba people of Southwest and their Igbo counterparts in the Southeast as two inseparable African races.
Having played host to prominent Igbo leaders like HRH Igwe Cyprian Mmaduabuchi Nevobasi, Ezeani III of Mmaku Kingdom in Enugu State, Kanu Nwankwo and his foundation and other prominent Igbo leaders at his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State including Lagos State president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Solomon Ogbonna, who was accompanied by the delegation of African Farmers and Cultural Organisation.
“The Ooni declared; “if united as a family and with other tribes, the two races will form a formidable bloc as a catalyst towards building a unified Nigeria and Africa.
The Ooni of Ife addressing the visitors said; “We need to cement our togetherness in this country because without the coming together of the Igbo and Yoruba natives, it will be very difficult for Nigeria and the entire continent of Africa to progress. We are the real embodiment of the black people and the continent of Africa is looking up to us.
“Handshake across the Niger like this is very important because we belong to the same family. So we should not separate ourselves the more. Let us look into things that bind us together like our rich cultures and traditions. “This is your root. I said it recently, some of our Yoruba kinsmen with ignorance of our history came out with nugatory beratement of my position on the family ties between Yoruba and Igbo people. We have to say the truth and the truth must set us all free, we are blood brothers. We should be inseparable. Please feel at home in Yorubaland and respect your Yoruba brothers and sisters too.”
In response, the leadership of the Igbo community in attendance reiterated their support to the man referred to as “the Father of the Yoruba people all over the world”
“We are here to assure you that you have found your missing ribs in the Southeast. I have seen with my eyes that you are a moving train; you have proven to our nation that you are a great leader we can trust and we are following you.” Said HRH Igwe Mmaduabuchi
Available Historical facts according to an essay presented by Adewale Adeoye, the Executive Director, Journalists for Democratic Rights records that, the Igbo and Yoruba have a magic synergy that appears not to exist among any other nationality in Nigeria: in the work places, in housing estates, in shanties, in schools, market places, beer parlours, face-me-I-face-you and above all in the spiritual realm mainly churches. Material and cosmic relations bring them together and even bind them almost in ways inseparable. In the past few years, the number of inter marriages between Igbo and Yoruba have tripled. The third generation of Igbo in Yoruba territories speaks Yoruba as their first language. Many of them when they travel to the East and are to return would say they were ‘going back home.’ Even if Biafra emerges today, I do not see how the cordial relationship between Igbo and Yoruba would be a minus. In Yoruba villages, Igbo have remarkable dominion.
It is the responsibility of leaders on both sides, young and old, men and women, armed and defenseless people alike, to exterminate base instincts and advance values that protect and glorifies the lowest and highest common factors of unity and prosperity between the two great empires. This should be the stand of any responsible people or individuals. This is the position that will advance humanity and protect the heritage of the two great nations.
