Farotimi, Babalola, Ooni and the dawn of tribal unity
On Monday, January 27, 2025, headlines across newspapers and social media platforms were flooded with the news of the timely intervention of Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, who led other traditional rulers to step in to mediate between two illustrious sons of Yorubaland: the renowned legal icon, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, and Comrade Dele Farotimi, a passionate lawyer and activist.
with constitutional roles in dispute resolution, community development, and the equitable distribution of the dividends of democracy would ensure that the benefits of governance truly reach ordinary citizens.
Traditional rulers, such as the Ooni of Ife, have consistently demonstrated their capacity for leadership and unity. From resolving disputes to healing age-old rivalries, they have proven to be indispensable in fostering harmony and progress. Empowering them constitutionally would not only strengthen the social fabric of the nation but also ensure that no one is left behind in the quest for national development.
The Ooni’s recent intervention between Aare Afe Babalola and Comrade Dele Farotimi is another testament to his enduring legacy as a unifier and peacemaker. Like his predecessors, Ooni Ogunwusi continues to uphold the values of the throne, bridging divides and inspiring collective progress for the Yoruba race.
His Majesty’s leadership reminds us that Yorubaland’s strength lies in its unity and that true authority is demonstrated through reconciliation and peacebuilding. From historical acts of mediation to contemporary interventions, the Ooni of Ife remains the symbol of a brighter, united dawn for the Yoruba race.
Oketooto, the Personal Assistant to the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, writes from Ile-Ife, Osun State
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