What appeared to be a never-ending cold war between the two leading Yoruba traditional rulers came to an end with the intervention of a 90-year-old renowned businessman and philanthropist, Kessington Adebutu.
The two prominent Yoruba traditional rulers, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Abimbola Owoade, had in recent times engaged in war of words.
The rift however came to an end at the historic meeting convened by the Odole-Oodua, Sir Kessington Adebutu, as part of activities marking his 90th birthday.
The billionaire businessman better known as ‘Baba Ijebu’ had convened the meeting in a landmark move to strengthen peace and solidarity across Yorubaland.
Addressing the monarchs in a statement highlighting his Wishlist for the 90th birthday celebration, Adebutu stressed the need to promote unity, harmony, sacred values of mutual respect and brotherhood among Yoruba sons and daughters beginning from the two revered traditional rulers.
In his words: “Your Imperial Majesties, Today, as I mark ninety years of divine grace and service to humanity, I consider it the highest honour of my lifetime to host the two most revered royal pillars of our great Yoruba civilization, the Arole Oduduwa, the Ooni of Ife, and the Iku Baba Yeye, the Alaafin of Oyo.
“It is indeed an act of God. I therefore pray we make a huge success of it. Amen.
“There is no gainsaying it, both your Imperial Majesties sit upon the two thrones that are not merely seats of tradition, but symbols of the very soul, embodiment and continuity of the Yoruba Nation-thrones that encompass the wisdom, courage, and destiny of our people.
“For generations, history has whispered of rivalry between Ile-Ife and Oyo – two sacred centres of our collective origin and power.
“Yet, beneath those whispers lies a deeper truth: that both of you are branches of the same sacred root – Oduduwa. And the strength of that root depends on your unity.
“My fathers and brothers, if the Ooni and the Alaafin stand together, shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart, the Yoruba nation will rise again in glory.
“The drums of harmony from Ife and Oyo will echo across ljebu, Ekiti, Ondo, Egba, and beyond-binding us once more as one Oodua family.
“Let us, therefore, silence the echoes of discord and awaken the spirit of unity, progress, and leadership that our ancestors bestowed upon us.
“The unity between you is not only the unity of Yoruba land-it is the unity of Nigeria, and indeed, the unity of the entire Black race.
“This is only possible if we can put foot down and always ensure the dog wags the tail and not vice versa.
“At ninety years of age, I have seen many seasons- of glory and of grief. But I wish to see, before I take my final bow, a new dawn where the two crowns of Oduduwa shine together as one radiant light, guiding our people into a future of dignity, peace, and prosperity.
“May the meeting of this morning sow the seed of everlasting brotherhood between your Imperial Majesties.
“May posterity remember that on this day, under the watch of elders and ancestors, the sons of Oduduwa clasped hands in unity.
“May Ife and Oyo be one. May Oodua be one. May Nigeria be great. May Africa rise.
“With Esteemed Reverence and Love, Your Majesties.”
In a video seen by The Eagle Online, both monarchs, at the end of the deliberations, jointly announced the establishment of the Joint Council of Yoruba Unity (JCUY), a new body aimed at promoting peace, cultural preservation, and socioeconomic development across Yorubaland.
This was also confirmed in a communiqué issued after the session and jointly signed by the Ooni and the Alaafin, and witnessed by Sir Adebutu.
The communiqué described the meeting as a defining moment in Yoruba history, emphasising that the strength of the Yoruba nation lies in unity and collective progress.
It said: “Today marks a defining moment in our shared history.
“We are committed to promoting harmony among Yoruba sons and daughters and upholding the sacred values of mutual respect and brotherhood bequeathed to us by our forebears.”
The gathering, attended by eminent Yoruba leaders, traditional rulers, and cultural custodians, focused on fostering inter-kingdom cooperation and encouraging other monarchs to emulate the spirit of reconciliation demonstrated by the Ooni and Alaafin.
In their closing prayers, both royal fathers jointly sought divine guidance, peace, and prosperity for Yorubaland, Nigeria, and Africa.
The event ended with an exchange of royal blessings and goodwill between the two revered thrones.
