The Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and the Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, on Thursday hosted the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Dr. Aminu Yusuf, alongside other commissioners and executives from the South-West and across Nigeria at his Ile Oodua palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Receiving the delegation, the Ooni who is also the Permanent Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) emphasized the need for unity among Nigerians as a foundation for sustainable national growth, stressing that development can only thrive where people see themselves as one, bound by shared heritage and collective responsibility.
“You are gifted and culturally inclined. You are doing very well, and we give honour to whom honour is due. Ile-Ife is our source; everybody came from here. We are linked.
“When we remember our common origin and respect our culture and institutions, unity will continue to grow, and with unity comes national progress,” Ooni said.
The Ooni noted that Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity, urging leaders and institutions to work together beyond ethnic, religious, and regional lines to promote peace, stability, and development across the country.
He added that traditional institutions must continue to play their role in fostering harmony and national cohesion.
“We have a very strong culture and heritage that we are all proud of. It is by preserving these values and working together as one people that Nigeria will grow and fulfill its destiny,” he said.
The Ooni offered prayers for the NPC Chairman, asking God to bless the work of his hands and for the spirit of the ancestors to continue to guide him in his new assignment.
He expressed confidence that the commission’s leadership would make the nation proud and urged them to uphold unity and national growth.
He further thanked the NPC leadership for paying homage to the throne, describing the visit as a mark of respect and a reaffirmation of the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in nation-building.
Earlier, the Sooko Waboodu of Ife, Professor Adeola Shobola, described the visit as unprecedented and expressed gratitude to the NPC delegation for honouring Ile-Ife with their presence.
She commended the Ooni for his unwavering commitment to development in Ile-Ife, Yorubaland, and Nigeria at large.
In his remarks, the NPC Chairman, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, described Ile-Ife as not only the cultural heart of the Yoruba people but also a symbol of unity, scholarship, renovation, and spiritual grace for Nigerians across the country.
He noted that the throne of Oduduwa continues to provide wisdom and counsel to leaders nationwide.
Dr. Yusuf said the visit was aimed at seeking royal blessings and support as the commission prepares for critical national assignments, including the conduct of another population census whenever the Federal Government announces it.
He noted that Nigeria urgently needs updated population data, pointing out that the last national population census was conducted in 2006, nearly two decades ago, during which time the country has experienced significant population growth, urban expansion, and migration shifts.
The NPC Chairman added that the Federal Government is ready to conduct another census and appealed to the Ooni for support in strengthening birth and death registration across communities to ensure accurate demographic data.
He concluded by praying for the continued peaceful reign of the Ooni and for sustained growth and development in Nigeria.
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