The
Giesi Ruling House of Ife has debunked a report in some newspapers that
the family had submitted names of five contestants to the kingmakers.
The Secretary of the house, Prince
Adelowo Ogunleye, said at a press conference in Osogbo on Thursday that
the report was unfounded and should be discountenanced.
He said, “Giesi Ruling House is a law
abiding one and we want to make it public that we have not submitted
names of any of the contestants to the kingmakers.
“We have not received any letter of invitation from the government that we should submit contestants’ names to the kingmakers.
“There are four ruling houses in Ile-Ife
and by the declaration of 1980, it is now the turn of our family to
produce the next Ooni.”
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Ogunleye
said that those who were scheming to illegally ascend the throne were
the ones behind the numerous allegations against the Giesi family.
The leader of the family said they had
not screened out any of the contestants, adding that some members of the
family were still showing interest in the race.
Responding to an allegation that the
family sold their right to ascend the throne for N5m to the late Oba
Okunade Sijuwade, Ogunleye dared the Amodo Ruling Family which made the
allegation to produce evidence to support their claims.
In a related development, one of the
contestants to the throne from Adagba Royal Family of Lafogido Ruling
House, Prince Adetayo Oladele, has said Ife needed an Ooni who will be
ready to develop the town from its present state.
Oladele, who said this in a statement
made available to our correspondent, added that anybody who would emerge
now must see the position as a responsibility to serve the people and
not himself.
He said, “Ile-Ife is a uniquely great
town. It is not only symbolic in Yoruba land but in the whole world for
its historical importance. Our town has also been blessed with great
kings in the past. But at this critical time in our history, Ile-Ife
deserves only an Ooni that is truly dissatisfied with the town’s current
state and has genuine interest in harnessing all its potentials to move
it to its rightful place economically, traditionally and socially.
“Ife is blessed with great potentials.
The new Ooni must be a man of vision with deep interest of the town at
heart and who is ready to sacrifice personal gains for Ile-Ife’s overall
well-being.
“All the past Oonis did their best to
keep Ife on top. The new Ooni must be a man of honour, integrity and
strong will, who is determined to see Ife rise to a new level of
prominence in development with positive impacts on local residents and
the Yoruba at large. This is my vision.”
Title : We’ve no candidate for Ooni throne yet –Giesi
Description : The Giesi Ruling House of Ife has debunked a report in some newspapers that the family had submitted names of five contestants to the k...
