Ooni Hosts New Osun CP, Charges Him To Prioritise Peace

The Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and the Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has charged the newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Osun State, CP Ibrahim Umar Zungura, to prioritise peace and security in the state.

The Ooni who is also the Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) gave the charge on Thursday afternoon when he received the new Osun Police Commissioner, who paid a courtesy visit to the Ooni at his Palace in Ile-Ife.

The Ooni emphasised the need for sustained collaboration among the police, traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders to maintain peace and create an environment conducive to development.

The Ooni’s position was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Media Officer, Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal, on behalf of the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare.

Welcoming the police boss, Ooni Ogunwusi commended him for making the palace one of his early stops after assuming office, describing the gesture as a demonstration of his commitment to working with traditional institutions.

The Ooni also acknowledged the security pressures that had confronted the state in recent months, particularly during the pre-election and post-election periods, as well as the transition within the police command.

“I want to thank you for your strong will and energy to come and pay homage ever since you resumed in Osun. We know that things are just calming down in Osun, from election to changing the CP, and handing over, trying to douse the tension, pre-election and post-election. You have been busy. We want to thank you,” the Ooni said.

Ooni Ogunwusi stressed that peace remained essential to the progress of any society, noting that development could only thrive where there was stability and security.

“We are just for peace and nothing but peace. We want good structure. Whenever there is peace, there will be development,” he said.

The Ooni urged the new CP to work closely with responsible members of communities, noting that traditional and community leaders could provide valuable support to security agencies in identifying challenges and addressing them before they escalate.

“The truth be told, in every community, we have the good and the bad. If you work with them, they will lead you to the right path and they will let your work be so easy,” he said.

The Ooni assured CP Zungura that the palace would remain available to support efforts aimed at maintaining peace and security in Ile-Ife and across Osun State.

“This is your palace. Feel free to come at any time. Both Ife and Kano, they are home for you,” the Ooni said.

The Ooni also reaffirmed the historical relationship between Ile-Ife and Kano, noting that the bond between his ancestors and the Kano Emirate remained strong.

“There is a strong bond between my ancestors and the Emirate of Kano, and I want to tell you it is getting stronger till date. Nothing can stop it; we will definitely continue with it,” he said.

Earlier, CP Zungura, the 29th Commissioner of Police in Osun State, expressed appreciation to the Ooni for receiving him and explained that his visit was motivated by the longstanding historical relationship between Kano and Ile-Ife.

The Kano-born police boss said he grew up hearing about the Ooni of Ife and later learnt more about the relationship between the Kano Palace and the Ooni’s Palace.

“I grew up in Kano knowing about Ooni of Ife. When I grew up further, I realised that there is a bold relationship between the Kano Palace and Ooni of Ife Palace,” Zungura said.

The commissioner said his visit was also intended to seek the Ooni’s blessings and prayers as he begins his assignment in Osun.

“I am here to come to your palace for your blessings and prayer. I believe the first royal father to visit is the Ooni of Ife. And from here, I can be proud to be a Commissioner of Police in Osun State,” he said.

Zungura further said he considered himself a son of the palace by virtue of the historical connection between Kano and Ile-Ife.

“Now that I am here in the palace, by extension, I am the son of this palace. I can stretch my hand and leg that I am the son and indigene of this palace,” he added.

The CP also acknowledged the support which the Ooni has consistently extended to police officers serving within the Ife axis, saying officers had informed him about the Ooni’s assistance and cooperation.

“My men, the Police officers within your district, told me the kind assistance and support you always give to them, and I am here before you to submit myself as a subject of this palace and as a son,” he said.