The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, on Saturday commissioned the newly completed ultra-modern palace of the Attah of Ayede in Ayede Ekiti, describing the project as a powerful symbol of cultural pride, unity, and progressive traditional leadership in Yoruba land.
The revered monarch, who serves as Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC) and Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, performed the inauguration ceremony amid wide acclaim from traditional rulers, political leaders, and community stakeholders.
The colourful event, held in Ayede Ekiti, also coincided with the birthday celebration of the Attah of Ayede, Abdulmumini Adebayo Orisagbemi, making it a double celebration for the ancient town.
In his address, Ooni Ogunwusi commended the Attah and the Ayede community for their foresight and commitment to strengthening the traditional institution through infrastructural development. He stressed that modernising palace structures does not erode tradition but rather reinforces its relevance in contemporary society.
According to the monarch, traditional rulers remain custodians of culture, peace, and communal development, noting that a palace represents authority, heritage, and the spiritual foundation of a people. He urged monarchs across Yoruba land to continue promoting unity and development while preserving the sanctity of customs and ancestral values.
While officially inaugurating the edifice, the Ooni made a passionate appeal for peace across Yoruba land. He called on traditional rulers and political leaders to sustain harmonious relationships in the interest of collective progress. Special prayers were offered for Ayede Ekiti, Ekiti State, and the entire Yoruba race, seeking peace, prosperity, economic growth, and enduring unity.
The Ooni was received by prominent Ekiti monarchs led by Joseph Adebayo Adewole, alongside dignitaries from various sectors. He expressed appreciation for the impressive turnout of Ayede indigenes and residents of Ekiti State, describing their show of solidarity as heartwarming and reassuring.
Also speaking at the event, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, emphasized the importance of peaceful political participation ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship election. She warned that no political ambition was worth the shedding of innocent blood and called for calm, rational, and lawful engagement in the democratic process.
The governor reiterated that traditional rulers remain strategic partners in the state’s development agenda, applauding their peace-building efforts which have enhanced Ekiti’s reputation as one of the most investment-friendly states in Nigeria. She appealed to monarchs to intensify preventive measures against political violence while encouraging citizens to exercise their franchise responsibly.
In his remarks, the Attah of Ayede expressed deep gratitude to the state government for completing the palace project. He disclosed that he initiated the construction five years ago but faced financial challenges that stalled its completion until the intervention of Governor Oyebanji, who redesigned and completed the project within a short period. He described the palace as the cultural and spiritual heartbeat of the Ayede community.
The ceremony attracted an array of distinguished personalities, including Senator Cyril Fasuyi, Hon. Ojo Atibioke, Hon. Kemi Olaleye, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, several traditional rulers from Ekiti and Ondo States, religious leaders, youth groups, women associations, and community leaders.
The commissioning underscores the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in governance, cultural preservation, and social cohesion, reaffirming the collaborative role of monarchs and political leaders in fostering peace and development across Yoruba land.
