Some indigenes of Modakeke on Saturday embarked on peace walk from the town to the palace of Ooni of Ife as one of the moves for sustainable peace in Ife land.
The Peace Walk tagged “walk for peace in Ife land” was organised by the Oluomo of Modakeke, Otunba Fatai Kolawole in conjunction with the Man O’ War, Ife area command.
The walk which was kick started at Modakeke High School was taken to the palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi where the the participants were received by the high chiefs led by the Obalufe, Oba Idowu Adediwura.
Represented by the Obalufe, the Ooni of Ife said being a global ambassador for peace, he would always throw his weight behind any moves geared towards reigning of peace.
Oba Ogunwusi who maintained that growth and development could only be achieved where there is peace hailed the initiators of the peace walk and all those who participated in it.
He further tasked them to always promote peace with such activities that would engender mutual trust and the society would be better for it.
“We are fully in support of anything that will promote peace in Ife land be it Modakeke, Iperumodu and others. We are using this opportunity to let people know that Ife and Modakeke are one and together” he said.
Speaking, the Oluomo of Modakeke, Otunba Fatai Kolawole described peace as a sine qua non and everyone must channel all efforts towards maintaining peace.
He said the “walk for peace in Ife land” was a move towards sustaining the peace that already exists between Ife and Modakeke.
“We the people of the two communities need peace to be able to develop. Peace is sine qua non to development. We cannot be using only our mouth to say we want peace, we must act, that is why we organised the peace walk from Modakeke to Ile-ife with the Southwest Man O War.
“The Ooni Ogunwusi is a global Peace ambassador and he’s been doing whatever he could to make sure that peace reign in our community. We must support him to show that he’s not alone when he looks back and I m happy that we were well received.
“We want to appeal to our people in the Southwest that we should allow peace to reign in Yoruba land, if we the Southwest is peaceful of course Nigeria will be peaceful. As we are also approaching elections, we appeal to our political class to eschew violence, Kolawole stated.”
While addressing the participants in his palace, the Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Moses Oyediran charged them to eschew violence, thuggery and hooliganism in the interest of all.
Oba Oyediran urged the youth to focus on personal development and that of the society at large rather than engaging in unwholesome activities which would not be beneficial to anyone.
He lauded the Ooni for promoting peace as he prayed that the peace being enjoyed in Ife land would continue to be stronger.
Also speaking, the Maye to Ogunsua of Modakeke, Adeniyi Adetunji who stated that rumour monger are usually the cause of crisis enjoined people of the communities to always verify, be contented and shun unnecessary rivalry
“My passionate appeal is for all to embrace peace at all times. We must always be patient especially when there is rumour. It is very important to get the fact, when they are verified we will know the truth. We have to understand ourselves and desist from rumour mongering. Most rumours they spread to cause crisis are unfounded, baseless and outright lies. Whereas it may be husband and wife that are fighting and before you know it rumour will begin to fly.
“We should also be contented and shun rivalry in other to ensure that we live in peace. Peace is now reigning in Ife land and we are going to sustain it.
