The Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has described the Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as a great icon of public service and epitome of loyalty that must always be found worthy of celebration.
Ooni Ogunwusi, who doubles as the permanent Chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas and Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, spoke in a press statement released by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Comrade Moses Olafare, congratulating regbesola on his 63rd birthday.
The statement reads: “Ogbeni Aregbesola as a comrade, you started with student’s right activism over four decades ago. As a proponent of democratic rule, you in the 90s participated in the several pro-June 12 struggles which led to the enthronement of civil rule in 1999.
“You have since 1999 lived for the people through your sterling public service performances, first as Commissioner For Works and Infrastructure in Lagos state from 1999 to 2006, followed by your emergence as Governor of the state Osun from 2010 to 2018 and your current position as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Interior through which you oversee very sensitive sections of Nigeria’s internal security like Immigration, Civil Defense, Fire service, Correctional service among other responsibilities.
“RAUF, you are indeed a great descendant of Oduduwa and a Nigerian patriot with incorruptible Pan Africanism for which you are always worthy to be celebrated. You are an Omoluwabi per excellence, a down-to-earth grassroot politician with incredibly huge followership, a great promoter of our cultural values and heritage, an icon of people oriented public service and an epitome of loyalty.”
Ooni, the foremost African monarch and Yoruba’s natural leader, prayed for good heath and longevity for Aregbesola, who is the immediate past Governor of Osun State.
He said: “My dear Ogbeni, may the Almighty Olodumare keep upholding your entire household as you gloriously clock 63 today.
“We also pray the rest of your journey on this earth shall be characterized by sound health, meaningful long life and immeasurable prosperity.
“Igba odun odun kan.
“Afon a gbo ko to wo.
“Happy 63rd Birthday!!!”