The Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and the Natural Head of the Odùduwà race worldwide, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has described Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, as a true reformer, expressing confidence that the state possesses the capacity to feed the entire country through agriculture.
The revered monarch, who is also the Permanent Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) made the remarks on Friday evening in Maiduguri during a private meeting with Governor Zulum at the Government House, while on a visit to the state for the combined convocation ceremony of the state-owned Kashim Ibrahim University.
Speaking at the meeting, the Ooni commended the governor’s commitment to rebuilding Borno State, noting that Zulum’s leadership style has continued to inspire many young Nigerians across the country.
“I like what you are doing, and I am very proud of you. I have been a fan of yours for a long time. You are a role model to many young people in this country,” the monarch said.
The Ooni, who is the Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), said he was impressed by the vast expanse of arable land in the state, assuring that he would encourage investors to explore the agricultural and economic opportunities in Borno.
“I saw a vast amount of land, arable for any kind of farming. This state can indeed feed the entire country. I will tell people to come and invest,” he added.
He also described Borno State as beautiful, attributing the growing development in Maiduguri and other parts of the state to the governor’s passion for progress and reconstruction.
The Ooni Ogunwusi further highlighted the deep historical and bloodline ties between the Yoruba and Kanuri people, describing them as closely related and connected by shared history.
In his response, Governor Zulum expressed appreciation for the Ooni’s visit and his acceptance of the appointment as Chancellor of Kashim Ibrahim University, describing the monarch as a unifying figure and a strong advocate of national unity and cultural preservation.
Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining peace and development across Borno State.
The Ooni was in the Borno State capital to attend the combined convocation ceremony of the state-owned Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri.
The Ooni was accompanied by several traditional rulers, including the Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole Adebayo; the Alaagba of Aagba, Oba Rufus Olayinka Ogunwole; the Onigbaye of Igbaye, Oba Joseph Okunlola Oni; the Salu of Edunabon, Oba Kehinde Adesoji Oladepo; as well as the Vice-Chancellor of OJAJA University, Ilorin, Prof. Jeleel Ojuade.