The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has described the transition from Emir Sanusi to Emir Ado Bayero as a big deal which initially threw everyone into fear.
He said the development was so sensitive that people thought it could lead to implosion in Kano State.
Ooni Ogunwusi stated this on Wednesday in his palace in ile-ife while playing host to the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.
He averred that any implosion in Kano was capable of throwing the country into crisis.
The monarch who hailed the simplicity, good heart and humility of Emir Ado Bayero said those qualities averted possible crisis during the transition.
“The transition in Kano scared us, we were all very afraid, we kept praying. We thought the whole Kano Emirate will explode. But to the glory of God, with your good heart, sincerity of purpose, and a heart full of love, you’ve achieved one of the greatest achievements in our country.
“You have a smooth relationship with your predecessor, Emir Sanusi who is also very close to me. Your predecessor Emir Sanusi, related very well with you and you related well with him, you have a golden heart, a beautiful heart and a heart of love”.
The highly revered monarch recalled the good relationship between the both late Ooni Sijuwade and Ado Bayero and was elated that the successors are also toeing the same path.
The Emir of Kano, thanked Ooni Ogunwusi for providing great leadership across Yoruba race and Nigeria.
He noted that a new channel for deepening cultural understanding between Yoruba people and their counterparts in the northern part of the country will be created towards enhancing national unity and development.
“This is a homecoming for me in consideration of the deep, warm and life-long friendship and brotherhood between the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and my late father, Oba Okunade Sijuwade. My respect for the Ooni Ogunwusi is so much that anytime I see him, I feel like Am seeing all of my forefathers put together.
“Your Majesty, Ile-Ife, is the cradle of Yoruba civilization and centre of excellence in culture and education in Africa and it will continue to be a beacon of hope.
“We are pleased to note the prime position of the Ife Kingdom considered to be the ancestral and spiritual home of the Yoruba people all o er the world.
“As your Majesty may recall our recent meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari led by you and the Sultan, the issue of Nigerian youths was at the centre of deliberations.
” I wish to use this opportunity to suggest a cross exchange of ideas about new ways of tackling the issue of education, employment and social development amongst our youths. Because, it is through cross-fertilization of ideas that new solutions to contemporary challenges are found.” The Emir stated.
The Emir of Kano in accompanied by the Ooni later paid a courtesy visit to Governor Gboyega Oyetola at the Oke-fia Government House, Osogbo.
