The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, has urged indigenes of Osi-Ekiti in the Ido-Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti to embrace peace and love ahead of the selection of a rightful successor to the throne of the town.

The royal father gave the advice during the Osi-Ekiti Day 2022 celebration held in the community on Monday.

Mr Ogunwusi, who Ogbolu of Ile-Ife, Adekunle Adebowale represented, appealed to the various royal houses in the community to support the regent and kingmakers in their bid to select the new king.

“I want to appeal to all the indigenes of Osi-Ekiti to be lovers of peace and allow the regent and kingmakers to decide the rightful heir to the throne.

“The community cannot enjoy meaningful development when there are rancour, conflict and disharmony among the indigenes,” he said.

In her welcome address, the regent of the town, Aderonke Agunbiade-Akin, urged the various ruling houses to shun violence in the pursuit of their ambition and prioritise the growth and development of the town.

Ms Agunbiade-Akin also appealed to them to allow peace to reign in the community, noting that the selection of the next king was the sole responsibility of the kingmakers and the indigenes. 

“I want to appeal to the royal families, sons and daughters of the town to let peace reign to enable us to choose our substantive traditional ruler soon,” she said.

Corroborating the regent, the national president of Osi-Ekiti Progressive Union (OPU), Oludare Fadogba, appreciated all the sons and daughters of the community for their contributions to the development of the town.

Three prominent sons of the community were conferred with awards of excellence by the regent, while cooperative awards were also given to notable individuals within the town.

Traditional rulers, including the Onisan of Isan-Ekiti and chairman of the state Council of Traditional Rulers, Gabriel Adejuwon, also graced the occasion.

(NAN)