Buhari’s death marks end of remarkable era — Ooni of Ife

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, has expressed deep shock over the death of Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, describing it as the end of a remarkable chapter in the nation’s history.

In a statement issued by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, the monarch noted that kings and leaders with great legacies are not merely mourned but celebrated for their enduring impact.

The Ooni, who serves as Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council and Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), described Buhari as an unrepentant patriot committed to Nigeria’s development throughout his lifetime.

“From the battlefield as a gallant military officer to the highest office in the land as Commander-in-Chief, President Buhari was a man who gave his all to the cause of the Nigerian nation,” the monarch said.

Oba Ogunwusi called Buhari a true son of the North, an elder statesman, and a pan-African figure who embodied integrity, frugality, and unwavering devotion to building a better Nigeria.

He added that although the late president may have physically departed, his legacy as a nationalist, reformer, and bridge-builder across generations and ethnic divides remains strong.

The monarch urged Nigerians across ethnic, religious, and political divides to draw inspiration from Buhari’s life and uphold the values of unity, peace, and equity for which he stood.

On behalf of the Yoruba race and the entire House of Oduduwa, the Ooni offered condolences to the Buhari family, the Federal Government, the Katsina State Government, the people of Daura, and all Nigerians, praying for Buhari’s soul to rest in Aljanah Firdaus.