Date: 2016-02-20

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has called on the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to keep making the youths proud as both himself and the younger generation would continue to look forward to him.
Oba Ogunwusi stated this when he visited Saraki in his Abuja residence on Wednesday.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Saraki, Sanni Onogu, the Ooni said it was time for leaders at all levels to rekindle the hope of youths in the country by making them comfortable in their pursuits.
The monarch said he visited Saraki in deference to Saraki’s office as the Senate President and to “give honour to whom honour is due”.
He said his present exalted office as the Ooni of Ife would not make him forget his primary constituency who are the youths of this country.
He said the visit was memorable to him and Nigerian youths.
He said he was in the house of the Senate president with the message of unity and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians irrespective of region, tribe or religion.
Oba Ogunwusi said: “Today is actually another memorable day for me and entire youths of this country.
“For every leadership, there is always a followership.
“A leader cannot emerge without followers.
“As a result, we have to give honour to whom honour is due.
“It is a great honour today that I am here to come and respect the office of our amiable Senate President because the entire country is obviously looking up to our leaders.
“I am here today to preach peace and unity of our dear country.
“It is very important to us and the teaming youth of this country, which constitute well over 70 per cent of the entire populace.
“We need to renew their hope.
“We need to give them a lot of comfort.
“Like I said earlier on, God actually brought me to this exalted position not by my power nor by my might.
“As a result, I should never forget where I am coming from.
“I will forever be connected to the teaming youth.
“I am here today to pay respect to our Senate President and to give him support in terms of all the good things that we focus on and that will come out of the upper chamber in Nigeria.
“I always preach positivity in everything that I do.
“I focus on the good side of things in life irrespective of any situation you find yourself.
“It is one nation, it is one Nigeria irrespective of whether one is from the North or the South.
“Our peaceful co-existence is of paramount importance to us and we need to join hands in order to make progress in this country.”
Oba Ogunwusi said the youths of this country will continue to look up to Saraki to help them live a better life.
He said: “I am very grateful to you today for accepting and honouring us this evening.
“God will bless you.
“God will bless your entire household and God will bless the entire works of your hand.
“We are behind you.
“We are watching you and we are actually looking forward to you – the entire youth of this country.
“Please keep making us proud in things that are supposed to be done appropriately, in terms of making provision and guiding the interests of the youth.
“Please, work towards that because a lot of youths in this country do not have hope one way or the other in terms of their pursuits.
“We need to renew their hope – they are very energetic.
“There are so many things they (youths) can do.
“So I am imploring you.”
Oba Ogunwusi added that he was specifically touched by the statement of the Senate president immediately he was announced as the new Ooni-elect.
He said: “I am using the office that God has actually put me into, to join hands with you and work with you because I will never forget the day the announcement of my appointment was made.
“Immediately, the Senate President released a press statement – very touchy words – and I made up my mind that I will forever be close to him.
“Thank you for that.
“I appreciate that.
“God will continue to bless you.”
Saraki, while welcoming the Kabiyesi to his abode, said he was highly honoured by the visit of the royal father and prayed God to grant him long life, wisdom and a successful reign.
He described the Ooni as a “man of our generation” and said he will continue to support the monarch in whatever way possible to succeed in his present assignment as a royal father.
Saraki said: “It is truly a great honour for you to come and visit me.
“I am truly honoured by your visit.
“I use this opportunity on behalf of myself, my family and the entire 8th Senate – I know we sent a delegation to your coronation – to once again congratulate you and pray that Almighty Allah continue to give you long life and wisdom.
“I am sure that under your tenure, we will see a great development in Yorubaland in particular, in Nigeria at large and of course you immediate domain, Ile-Ife.
“For me, it is double joy.
“Let me say that Kabiyesi is a man of our generation and I know that this mantle of leadership is the beginning of a journey and you will serve many years in redefining this great country.
“We are here to support you to ensure that at any given time we are there.
“Any time you want us, we shall be there in whatever manner.
“Once again, I thank you for this great honour you have done to me personally.
“I will always continue to remember this day.”