The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (CFR), Ojaja II, on Saturday described Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno as a true reformer and a beacon of transformative leadership.
The monarch made the commendation during a meeting with the governor at the Government House, Maiduguri.
Oba Ogunwusi, who is the Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), was in Maiduguri to attend the combined convocation ceremony of the state-owned Kashim Ibrahim University.
He expressed admiration for Zulum’s commitment to rebuilding Borno affected by the insurgency, saying the governor had become a role model to many young Nigerians.
“I like what you are doing, I am very proud of you. I want to come closer to you. I have been a fan of yours for a long time, and you are a role model to many young people in this country.
“You have proven to everybody that you are truly a reformer. A lot of us are watching you, and we support everything you do,” the Ooni said.
According to him, the visit to Maiduguri had given him a deeper appreciation of the governor’s passion for the state.
“You have always been passionate about Maiduguri, and I always say to myself, ‘what is in Maiduguri that you are so passionate about?’ But today I came to Maiduguri, and I now see why you are always running back. I felt it when I came here.
“Honestly speaking, Borno is a beautiful state,” he added.
The Ooni also traced the ancient historical and bloodline ties between the Kanuri and Yoruba people, describing them as closely related ethnic nationalities.
“For me, as a traditional ruler from Ife, the Kanuris are our cousins, we are blood relatives, very strongly. I am a student of history, and I know our link and our affiliation,” he said.
The monarch said he would encourage investors to explore opportunities in Borno, particularly in agriculture, noting the vast arable land in the state.
“I will tell people to come and invest. I saw a vast amount of land, arable for any kind of farming. This state can indeed feed the entire country,” he said.
To further strengthen the relationship between the two regions, the Ooni presented Zulum with a symbolic ancient artefact representing the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people, which he said was a token of respect and a reminder of the enduring ties between the South-West and the North-East.
Responding, Gov. Zulum thanked the Ooni for the visit and for accepting the appointment as Chancellor of Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri.
He described the monarch as a unifying leader and a strong advocate of national unity and cultural preservation, and pledged to sustain efforts toward peace and development in Borno.
The Ooni was accompanied by other traditional rulers, including the Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole Adebayo; the Alaagba of Aagba, Oba Rufus Olayinka Ogunwole; the Onigbaye of Igbaye, Oba Joseph Okunlola Oni; the Salu of Edunabon, Oba Kehinde Adesoji Oladepo; and the Vice-Chancellor of Ojaja University, Ilorin, Prof. Jeleel Ojuade. NAN