Date: 2016-08-11

Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Wednesday advised all kingdoms across the country to continue to embark on issues capable of promoting peaceful co-existence and socio-economic development of the country rather than indulging in issues that can divide the nation.

He gave the advice in Ilorin, Kwara state capital, when he paid a royal courtesy visit to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu- Gambari in his palace, Oja-Oba, Ilorin. According to him, "What should be paramount on the minds of individual kingdoms in the country is on how to foster peace and development.

"The era of embarking on issues that can divide the country is no more attainable in the country. "If we focus on matters that are common to us, with this in our subconscious nature, we will know that we are the same and one and from one God".

The monarch who had been preaching peace across the country since he assumed the throne of his forefathers, ?emphasized role of traditional rulers in the country in promoting peace and development. He said that they are closer to people than government.

Oba Ogunwusi who said that, royal fathers are divine, added that they are born and not a creation of human beings. The Ooni, who said that people first come to traditional rulers when problems arise, added that they should be honoured and accorded roles to encourage peaceful coexistence.

The Ooni also said that he was ready to cooperate with the Emir in the interest of development of Nigeria, adding that his mission was based on the spirit of love, unity and development. The monarch had earlier paid a visit to the palace of Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuoye, the second,where he attended the 53rd birthday prayers of the monarch, the state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed and to the campus of the University of Ilorin.