The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has urged the newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Osun State, CP Ibrahim Umar Zungura, to make peace, security and effective community engagement priorities in his administration of the state police command.
Ooni Ogunwusi, who is the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide and Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), gave the charge on Thursday when he received CP Zungura during a courtesy visit to the Ile-Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife.
The Ooni’s position was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Media Officer at the Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal, on behalf of the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare.
The meeting focused largely on the importance of collaboration among security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders in sustaining peace and addressing insecurity across Osun State.
Welcoming the new police commissioner, the Ooni commended him for making the palace one of his early official visits since assuming duty, describing the gesture as an indication of his willingness to engage with traditional institutions in the discharge of his responsibilities.
The monarch acknowledged the security challenges the state had experienced in recent months, particularly around the pre-election and post-election periods and the subsequent transition within the police command.
“I want to thank you for your strong will and energy to come and pay homage ever since you resumed in Osun. We know that things are just calming down in Osun, from election to changing the CP, and handing over, trying to douse the tension, pre-election and post-election. You have been busy. We want to thank you,” the Ooni said.
Ooni Ogunwusi stressed that peace and stability remained fundamental to meaningful development, noting that communities could only prosper when residents, institutions and security agencies worked together to maintain a secure environment.
“We are just for peace and nothing but peace. We want good structure. Whenever there is peace, there will be development,” he said.
He consequently encouraged CP Zungura to strengthen relationships with traditional rulers and responsible community members, noting that local leaders possess valuable knowledge that can assist security agencies in identifying threats and resolving problems before they escalate.
“The truth be told, in every community, we have the good and the bad. If you work with them, they will lead you to the right path and they will let your work be so easy,” the Ooni said.
The monarch assured the police commissioner of the continued support and accessibility of the palace in matters concerning peace and security, particularly within Ile-Ife and the wider Osun State.
“This is your palace. Feel free to come at any time. Both Ife and Kano, they are home for you,” he said.
The Ooni also used the occasion to reaffirm the longstanding historical relationship between Ile-Ife and Kano, describing the connection between his ancestors and the Kano Emirate as a bond that has continued to grow stronger.
“There is a strong bond between my ancestors and the Emirate of Kano, and I want to tell you it is getting stronger till date. Nothing can stop it; we will definitely continue with it,” he said.
In his remarks, CP Zungura, the 29th Commissioner of Police in Osun State, expressed appreciation to the Ooni for receiving him and explained that his visit was informed partly by the historic relationship between Kano and Ile-Ife.
The Kano-born police officer said his awareness of the Ooni and the relationship between the two traditional institutions dates back to his childhood in Kano.
“I grew up in Kano knowing about Ooni of Ife. When I grew up further, I realised that there is a bold relationship between the Kano Palace and Ooni of Ife Palace,” Zungura said.
The commissioner explained that he also came to seek the Ooni’s blessings and prayers as he begins his tenure as the police chief in Osun State.
“I am here to come to your palace for your blessings and prayer. I believe the first royal father to visit is the Ooni of Ife. And from here, I can be proud to be a Commissioner of Police in Osun State,” he said.
Reflecting on the historic connection between Kano and Ile-Ife, CP Zungura described himself as a son of the palace and expressed his willingness to identify with the institution.
“Now that I am here in the palace, by extension, I am the son of this palace. I can stretch my hand and leg that I am the son and indigene of this palace,” he added.
The new Osun police boss further acknowledged the support and cooperation the Ooni has extended to police personnel serving in the Ife axis, saying officers under the command had spoken to him about the monarch’s assistance to the police.
“My men, the police officers within your district, told me the kind assistance and support you always give to them, and I am here before you to submit myself as a subject of this palace and as a son,” he said.
The courtesy visit underscored the importance of stronger institutional and community partnerships in maintaining peace, protecting residents and creating the conditions necessary for sustainable development across Osun State.
