The Owa of Idanre, Oba Fredrick Aroloye has said documents at his disposal show that the Ọọni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi is the Arole Oduduwa and the number one monarch in Yoruba land.
Oba Aroloye said this while playing host to the Ọọni who came to celebrate with the 95-year-old Monarch on his 45th coronation anniversary at Idanre.
Oba Aroloye said: “It’s documented that you, Ooni of Ife, is the Arole of Oduduwa. I have many documents here with me to prove that. You have many vital roles to play now at this point in time.”
The Oba challengeed Ọọni to ensure unity among traditional rulers in the region through regular meetings and other engagements.
“We, all Yoruba obas, should begin to have meeting to see how we can protect our land and brainstorm on different salient issues bothering our people.
“It is high time you began to organise meetings of Obas in Yorubaland. We all sons of Oduduwa must begin to have meetings from time to time.”
He also tasked him to mobilize other traditional rulers for traditional ways of tackling the security problems confronting the south west as it was done by their forefathers.
According to him, “Before the coming of the colonial masters, our fathers had their own way of tackling insecurity. We still have these things with and in us. We haven’t thrown everything away.
Oba Aroloye disclosed that Oba Ogunwusi would be the third Ooni that had visited Idanre because of the relationship between the two towns.
Idanre was initially known as Ife Oke before the name was changed to Idanre, which was derived from the magical prowess of the people.
Responding, Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi agreed with Oba Aroloye on the issues raised, promising to address them all.
He promised to return to the Rock town soon to climb the popular Idanre Hill which harbours several tourist centers.
Though 95-year-old, Oba Aroloye said he went to the hill last over 20 years ago, he implored the Ooni of Ife to visit the hill so he could be acquainted with several traditional heritages conserved on the hill.