The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, recently conferred the significant chieftaincy title of Aare Atayeto Oodua of the Source upon Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama. The Ooni used the occasion to send a strong message about African unity, asserting that all Africans are “one people, one family,” regardless of the borders established during the colonial era. The ceremony took place at Afewonro Park within the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife and was attended by a variety of traditional rulers, politicians, and cultural figures from both Yorubaland and Ghana, emphasizing Ile-Ife’s importance as the spiritual center of the Yoruba people. President Mahama was received with traditional high honors and security. Oba Ogunwusi, who also holds the position of Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council, praised the Ghanaian leader as a symbol of cultural endurance, economic revitalization, and Pan-African solidarity. The monarch noted that President Mahama was already familiar with the palace and had been connected with the Ooni’s journey even before his potential return to Ghana’s presidency. Oba Ogunwusi stressed that the artificial boundaries imposed by colonial rulers should not lessen Africa’s shared heritage, pointing to linguistic similarities between the Yoruba and Ghanaian people, such as the closeness of the Yoruba greeting “Ekaabo” and the Ghanaian “Akwaabo.” The Ooni recounted a previous visit by Mahama after he had left office, during which prayers were offered and a prophecy was made that Mahama would regain leadership, which has since been fulfilled. He commended Mahama’s economic successes, noting that Ghana’s economy saw a remarkable improvement upon his second term in office, and expressed confidence in the President’s potential positive impact on the African Union. In his speech, President Mahama thanked the Ooni and the people of Ile-Ife warmly, confirming the ancestral ties between Ghana and Nigeria and stating that the people of Accra specifically trace their roots back to Ile-Ife. He affirmed that they are one family and dedicated the chieftaincy title to all citizens of Ghana. Furthermore, he promised to use his new position to enhance relations between the two countries and promote reconciliation within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), pledging to deepen ties and bridge divides as long as he serves as President of Ghana.
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