Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, has pledged N100 million — to be paid in instalments — and a new Hilux vehicle to the Iru Ekun Security Network.
The outfit is a community-based security initiative established by Sunday Adeyemo, the Yoruba nation advocate popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
Iru Ekun literally translates to “the tail of a leopard” in Yoruba language.
The Ooni announced the donation on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by Adeyemo and members of the security outfit to the monarch’s palace in Ile-Ife, Osun state.
In a video from the event on Wednesday, the Ooni emphasised the potency of native powers in Yorubaland.
“There is power in Yorubaland. Anyone who says there isn’t is deceiving himself or herself,” he said.
“We will all stand by and support you. I now want to pledge N100 million to your outfit. I will give you the money in instalments. I will spread it across ten payments, but they won’t be far apart. So today, you will go home with N10 million.”
The monarch expressed hope that the gesture would inspire other wealthy Yoruba men and women to also support the initiative.
“I am making this donation as an example and a message to all wealthy Yoruba sons and daughters,” he said.
‘I commend Igboho for taking the bold step’
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Sodiq Lawal, senior media officer at the Ooni’s palace, on behalf of Moses Olafare, director of media and public affairs, the monarch said the donation was not merely a financial contribution but a demonstration of his commitment to initiatives that promote peace, communal harmony and the protection of the Yoruba people.
He described the security initiative as a timely intervention aimed at complementing existing security efforts to safeguard lives and property of the Yoruba people.
“I commend Chief Sunday Igboho for taking a bold step towards strengthening community security,” the Ooni was quoted as saying.
“Protecting our people is a collective responsibility that transcends political, religious and ideological differences. Every initiative genuinely designed to preserve lives and maintain peace deserves encouragement and support.”
He urged prominent Yoruba sons and daughters, traditional rulers, traditionalists, community leaders, business executives, professionals and other stakeholders across the world to rally behind Igboho’s security outfit.
“Our strength lies in our unity. When we speak with one voice and work together, no force can undermine the peace and progress of Yorubaland. This is the time for all lovers of Yoruba culture and heritage to unite for a common purpose,” he said.
Responding, Adeyemo expressed appreciation to the Ooni for the support and fatherly encouragement extended to the outfit.
He described the monarch as a God-sent leader whose humility, wisdom and commitment to the unity of the Yoruba race have continued to inspire millions across the world.
“The Ooni is the father of all Yoruba people worldwide,” Igboho said.
“He is God’s gift to our race. His love for the Yoruba nation, humility and kindness distinguish him among traditional rulers. I have come to receive his royal blessings as we continue our mission of protecting our people.”
He said the visit was not only to brief the Ooni on the progress of the outfit but also to seek his continued royal guidance, prayers and endorsement.
Adeyemo added that plans were underway to organise a summit that would bring together traditional rulers from across Yorubaland to deliberate on practical solutions to the region’s security challenges.
According to him, the proposed summit, subject to the Ooni’s approval and blessings, is expected to hold at the monarch’s palace in Ile-Ife, regarded as the ancestral and spiritual headquarters of the Yoruba people.
He said the security network would operate within the law while collaborating with relevant authorities and local communities to promote peace, intelligence gathering and community policing across Yorubaland.
Background
On July 24, Adeyemo launched the security outfit in Ilorin, Kwara state, saying it was established to complement the efforts of the government and conventional security agencies in tackling kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes across affected communities.
He said the outfit would work to reclaim forests in Kwara from bandits, adding that criminal elements would no longer be allowed to use the state’s forests as safe havens.
In May, Adeyemo said the necessary documents had been submitted to the federal government for approval to establish the security outfit.
However, as of the time of filing this report, it could not be independently ascertained whether the approval had been granted.
