President Buhari Pays Tribute to Late Ooni Aderemi
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday paid a glowing tribute to the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the passage of the foremost monarch. In a letter to the family of the departed Oba who was the first indigenous governor of Western Nigeria in 1960, the President said; “It gives me a deep sense of pleasure and fulfilment to do this brief tribute in memory of the illustrious Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Tadenikawo Aderemi, who reigned between 1930 and 1980.
“On this 40th Remembrance Anniversary of the great man, the country recalls the imprints of a foremost Nationalist, very successful businessman, former Governor, Western Region (1960-1962), and traditional ruler, on the sands of time.
“To the benefit of his memory, Ooni Aderemi built schools, dispensaries, churches, museums, and attracted the establishment in his domain of waterworks, electricity projects, and the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife).
“It is also on record that the respected monarch was a Member, Legislative Council of Nigeria (1946-1951); Delegate, African Conference, London (1948); President, Western House of Chiefs (1952-1960); Member, Federal House of Representatives/Minister (1952-1954); led Nigeria’s delegation to Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation (1953); and Member, Nigeria Constitutional Conferences (1953-1958).
“As the family remembers this awesome personality, knighted twice by the Queen of England, it gladdens the heart that his memory remains evergreen. Please, keep this alive, for the guidance and inspiration of the current and subsequent generations.
“May God give us more illustrious people in the mould of Ooni Adesoji Aderemi. Amen.”