Courtesy Visit From The Ooni Of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi

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REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA DURING A COURTESY VISIT BY THE OONI OF IFÈ, OBA ADEYEYE ENITAN OGUNWUSI, ON THE 16^TH OF FEBRUARY, 2016

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For Kabiyesi to have chosen to visit one of his subjects, I think it is a great mark of the kind of person we have on the throne of Ife today.

I was at Kabiyesi’s coronation and since then, I’ve been in touch regularly and earlier today, Kabiyesi had also visited with the President, President Muhammadu Buhari and had interesting discussions with him.

One of the very important attributes of Kabiyesi is the fact that he represents a new way of thinking, and it’s not just a generational way of thinking, it’s a whole new concept in the way that we relate to power and authority and the way we govern.

And I think he is one of those who has thought it fit to begin to express himself in a completely different way from what we’ve seen in the past.

This is not just about traditional rulership; it’s also about secular leadership and leadership at all levels. I think one of the key things we’ve learnt from leadership and key leadership skills that his approach has taught us; his approach has taught us is that you have to make contact even with people and with authorities who in the past may have been considered adverse or adversaries in one way or the other.

We have seen some of what Kabiyesi has done, some of the steps he has taken; handshakes across prejudices across traditional boundaries; his visit to the Aláàfin of Oyo and several other such important steps.

They are not just symbolic; it’s important to understand that they also have deep implications for future relationships and for the way that our generation is perceived, and also implications for the way the country eventually shapes up.

I want to just commend you, Kabiyesi, for that foresight and your great insight into leadership. And I want to pray that may almighty God, who placed you upon the throne of your fathers, ensure that you fulfil the very purpose for which you had been elevated to the throne.

I also want to say that we all commend what you are doing with the young people. You know, even just looking round at those who have come with you, some of us are already looking like grandfathers.

It’s on account that you’ve signalled a new generation has taken over. When Kabiyesi has people in charge of his social media, it means that Kabiyesi is in the fourth industrial revolution, as they call it. I think it’s really significant, and the signals that you’re sending in this respect are very important.

A great many young people are encouraged by the way in which you have taken it upon yourself to ensure that young people are given opportunities and given a place in this country, and eventually, when history is written, it will be said that your time in office has greatly benefited the young people of this country.

Again, it’s a tribute to your foresight that recognizes that when the number of young people under 35 years are over 70%, anyone who addresses their concerns must really understand that this is not only about the demography, but about the future of our country.

I really want to thank you very much for this honour, and Kabiyesi and I had, before we came here, interesting discussions, which I intend to pursue very faithfully and diligently and  thank you very much, Kabiyesi, for coming here today, and I want to wish you many more years.

At your coronation, I did say, and I prayed that you would live and reign much longer than your forbearers on the throne.

Thank you very much.