The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (CFR), Ojaja II, has described Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, as a true reformer and a symbol of transformative leadership.
The monarch made the commendation on Friday evening during a private meeting with Governor Zulum at the Government House in Maiduguri.
The Ooni, who is Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), was in Borno State to attend the combined convocation ceremony of the state-owned Kashim Ibrahim University (KIU), Maiduguri, where he is to serve as Chancellor.
Expressing admiration for the governor’s leadership and commitment to rebuilding the state, the Ooni said he had long followed Zulum’s work and regarded him as a role model for young Nigerians.
“You have proven to everybody that you are truly a reformer. A lot of us are watching you and we support everything you do,” the monarch said, adding that his visit to Maiduguri helped him better understand the governor’s passion for the state.
He described Borno as a beautiful state with vast arable land capable of feeding the entire country, pledging to encourage investment in the state.
The Ooni also highlighted the historical and blood ties between the Yoruba and Kanuri peoples, describing them as closely related and deeply connected through history.
To further strengthen the bond between the Southwest and Northeast, the monarch presented Governor Zulum with a symbolic ancient artefact representing Yoruba cultural heritage.
The Ooni was accompanied by several traditional rulers, including the Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole Adebayo; the Alaagba of Aagba, Oba Rufus Olayinka Ogunwole; the Onigbaye of Igbaye, Oba Joseph Okunlola Oni; the Salu of Edunabon, Oba Kehinde Adesoji Oladepo; and the Vice-Chancellor of Ojaja University, Ilorin, Professor Jeleel Ojuade.
In his response, Governor Zulum expressed appreciation for the visit and thanked the Ooni for accepting the role of Chancellor of Kashim Ibrahim University.
He described the monarch as a unifying figure committed to national unity and cultural preservation, and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustainable development and lasting peace in Borno State.
