Cleric advises Yoruba monarchs on unity as Methodist Church honours Alaafin, Ooni, Obasanjo

Former Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Sunday Ola Makinde, has said until traditional rulers in Yoruba land close their ranks and embrace harmony and mutual coexistence among themselves, progress and development will remain a wild-goose chase.
Makinde gave the warning on Sunday at the church cathedral in Oyo town.
The event was the third Service of Awards of Excellence organised for some traditional rulers and eminent citizens, in
appreciation of their commitments to unity, peace and development.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo were among the recipients.
The two traditional rulers were conferred with awards of Extra-Ordinary Ambassadors of Peace, while Obasanjo,
represented by his wife, Bola, was decorated with Heroic Leadership Award.
Primate Ola Makinde said no meaningful development can be achieved in an atmosphere enveloped with vendetta, bickerings, hatredness and acrimony.
“This is why we must sincerely appreciate the courage, resilience and determination of our royal fathers, His Imperial Majesties, the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife, for taking the bull by the horn in reconciling their differences for the good of Yoruba ethnicity, younger generation and future posterity. The bondage and curse of over 70 years was broken. This is indeed a landmark achievement and
dawn of new chapter of Yoruba history”.
The former Prelate said “ barely five months after this was achieved in Oyo town and inside the church, another event is organized today by the same church to honour the two royal fathers, who are happy not only to attend the event, but joyfully sit side by side to the admiration of the congregation. This is beautiful and worthy of emulation because in unity lies the strength.”
He also extolled the virtues of the Alaafin, who he referred to as “a proactive, enigmatic and visionary ruler whose reigns, uncommon wisdom and versatility has brought tremendous benefits to the ancient town .
In his sermon taken from the book of Haggai, chapter 2 Verse 19, Primate Makinde charged wealthy individuals to give back to God from their fortunes, saying that givers never lack.
In his response after the conferment of award, Oba Adeyemi, who thanked the organisers, assured the guest preacher of continued peace and harmony among Yoruba Obas.
In the same vein, the Ooni of Ife, who was elated and could not hide his happiness, rendered three praise songs that were chorused by the jubilating congregation.
Oba Ogunwusi gave glory to God for the atmosphere of peace and wind of unity blowing in Yoruba land, adding that the tempo will be sustained.
The Ooni of Ife was accompanied by his wife, Yeyelua of Ife, Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi.