The Ooni of Ife and Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), His Imperial Majesty, Arole Odùduwà Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has been appointed as the Chancellor of Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri, Borno State.
Kashim Ibrahim University, formerly known as Borno State University, conferred the prestigious position on the revered monarch through the approval of the Borno State Governor, His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum.
The official letter of appointment was formally presented to the Ooni on Tuesday at the Ile Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife by the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Malam Bukar Tijani, who led a high-powered delegation on behalf of the governor.
The delegation included the Vice-Chancellor of Kashim Ibrahim University, Prof. Babagana Guti, alongside other senior government officials.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, Malam Tijani conveyed the warm regards of Governor Zulum to the Ooni, describing the occasion as both historic and symbolic.
“I am here this evening on behalf of the Executive Governor of Borno State, His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, to convey his profound respect and goodwill to His Imperial Majesty. We are here on a very happy note to formally present the letter appointing you as the Chancellor of Kashim Ibrahim University,” he said.
Tijani described the Ooni as one of the most influential and respected traditional rulers in Nigeria and across Africa, while highlighting the deep historical ties between the ancient Ife Kingdom and the Kanem-Borno Empire.
“Ile-Ife stands as one of the oldest kingdoms in Africa, just as Kanem-Borno remains one of the most ancient and enduring empires on the continent. This visit is therefore deeply symbolic. We honour the ancestors of Ife and acknowledge the far-reaching influence of the Odùduwà heritage, with descendants spread across Africa and the global diaspora,” he added.
He further disclosed that Governor Zulum would have personally presented the appointment letter but was unavoidably absent due to two major state engagements. Tijani expressed confidence that the Ooni’s vast leadership experience and global stature would significantly benefit the university.
The Vice-Chancellor of Kashim Ibrahim University, Prof. Babagana Guti, also commended the appointment, describing the Ooni as a foremost advocate of education, peace, and national unity.
“His Imperial Majesty’s commitment to educational advancement, youth empowerment, and inter-ethnic harmony is widely acknowledged. His acceptance of this role will undoubtedly strengthen the vision, credibility, and global outlook of Kashim Ibrahim University,” Guti said.
In his acceptance remarks, the Ooni expressed profound appreciation to Governor Zulum for the honour, while commending the governor’s leadership style and developmental achievements in Borno State.
“Your Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, I deeply appreciate you. I have closely followed your leadership and development projects across Borno State, and you truly deserve commendation. I thank you for finding me worthy to serve as the Chancellor of Kashim Ibrahim University,” the monarch said.
The Ooni assured the Borno State Government and the university community of his full commitment to advancing the institution’s growth and academic excellence.
“I will not let you down. I am deeply passionate about education. I own a university that I built from the ground up, and I also serve as the Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I assure you that I will bring energy, innovation, and developmental focus to Kashim Ibrahim University,” he stated.
He further reflected on the historical and cultural bonds linking the Yoruba people with the Kanem-Borno Empire, describing the appointment as symbolic and deeply personal.
“I have strong ancestral connections with the Kanem-Borno Empire. Historically, the Yoruba and Kanem-Borno peoples share deep links, bloodlines, and cultural similarities. This is the only empire that was never overtaken during the 19th-century Usman Dan Fodio restructuring of Northern Nigeria. For me, this appointment feels like a return home,” the Ooni concluded.
