…don’t make me figure head—Ooni
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has said the appointment of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, as Chancellor of the state-owned university renamed Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri, was aimed at strengthening the age-old bond between the Ile-Ife Empire and the Kanem-Bornu Empire.
Zulum also noted that the Borno State Government recognised the Ooni’s contributions to the promotion of educational development across the country.
Speaking at the Ooni’s palace on Tuesday, the governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani, appealed to the monarch to leverage his influence, experience and network to support the growth and development of the institution.
According to him, “We are here to present to His Imperial Royal Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, his appointment letter as the Chancellor of Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri. Oba Ogunwusi is a royal father with vast experience, not only in the education sector but in other endeavours of life.”
“The Ooni of Ife is not only a royal father in South West Nigeria; he is a royal father in the whole of Nigeria, West Africa, and Africa. The kingdom of Kanem-Bornu Empire
and the Ife Kingdom goes a very long way together.
“Both kingdoms are old kingdoms in Africa that have been there for more than 1,000 years and we rekindle this traditional relations by this appointment.”
Responding to his appointment, he applauded the Borno State government for finding him worthy of the appointment as he vowed that he would add value to the development and realisation of the institution’s vision.
He also traced the relationship between the Ile-Ife kingdom and Kanem-Bornu Empire, disclosing that their progenitors were cousins and they remain one of the oldest empire in Africa which were never invaded by external forces.
He said “I will not let you down, I will bring value to the realisation of the vision of the university. I am very passionate about education. This same energy and passion that I am using for my own university and University of Nigeria, I will bring to your university.
“I have strong connection with Kanem-Bornu we are cousins, we have strong bond, we have a lot of things in common. We are the only kingdom that was never overtaken by Uthman Dan fodio movement. If you go down the history, we are the two oldest kingdom.
“You are welcoming me back home. I love dynamism, don’t make me a figure head chancellor, I want to add value, you should give me tasks to deliver, I will do it gladly.”
