Ooni, Afenifere back South West Development Commission

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the leadership of the flagship socio-cultural group in Yorubaland, Afenifere, have pledged support for the South West Development Commission.

Speaking on Tuesday when he led a delegation from Afenifere to the Ooni’s palace in Ile-Ife to felicitate with him on the occasion of his 50th birthday celebrations, a chieftain of the group, Senator Femi Okurounmu, also commended the National Assembly for passing the bill establishing the Commission.

Okurounmu, who spoke on behalf of the national leader of the group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, said Afenifere expects the Commission to tackle some of the infrastructural challenges facing the region.

He lauded President Bola Tinubu for the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and called on him to also rehabilitate the Ibadan/Ife/Akure/Owo/Ado Ekiti and other vital routes in the South West.

“We commend the National Assembly for passing the bill for the South West Development Commission. We look forward to a commission that I believe will help Yorubaland tackle some of the infrastructural challenges we are facing.

“We thank President Tinubu for the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. We look forward to the same treatment for the Ibadan, Ife, Akure, Owo, Ado Ekiti, and other highways in Yorubaland,” Okurounmu said.

He further stated that the group is conscious of the challenging times Nigerians are experiencing and declared support for Tinubu’s efforts in addressing these challenges.

Congratulating the royal father on his 50th birthday celebrations, Okurounmu also mentioned that steps have been taken to strengthen Afenifere so that it can better serve the interests of the Yoruba people and Nigeria.

In his remarks, Ogunwusi, who commended members of the group for their roles in the protection of Yoruba interests, charged them to support Tinubu and provide him with relevant information that would enable him to serve the country better.

Ogunwusi, who recalled various interventions of Afenifere during critical moments in the national life of the country, stated that more efforts should be geared towards fostering unity among the Yoruba people.

The monarch, who said development may be impossible without the support of the people, called on Nigerians to play their roles as the government strives to develop all parts of the country.

Among the Afenifere delegation during the visit were Gen Olu Bajowa, Abagun Kole Omololu, Senator Gbenga Daniel, Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, and Senator Iyiola Omisore, to mention but a few.