Ooni of Ife Hosts Catholic Bishops, Calls for Stronger Partnership on National Challenges
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Grace Chidimma Ibe
ILE-IFE, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA — The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has called for stronger collaboration between traditional institutions and religious bodies in addressing some of the challenges confronting Nigeria.
The monarch made the call when he received members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State, during the bishops’ Second Plenary Assembly in the state.
Oba Ogunwusi commended the Catholic Church for its contributions to humanity and acknowledged the discipline, commitment and advocacy demonstrated by the Catholic hierarchy in promoting social development.
He noted the importance of cooperation among institutions and community leaders in strengthening peace, unity and development across the country.
The Catholic bishops were led by the President of the CBCN, Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, who highlighted the historical and cultural significance of Ile-Ife during the visit.
Archbishop Ndagoso also commended the Ooni for his efforts toward promoting national unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different backgrounds.
According to the Catholic bishops, the engagement provided an opportunity for traditional and religious leaders to exchange views on issues affecting the country and explore areas of common interest.
Discussions during the meeting focused on the need for greater cooperation in tackling challenges such as insecurity and poverty, as well as promoting peace, social cohesion and mutual understanding among communities.
The leaders also emphasized the importance of strengthening relationships between traditional rulers and religious institutions as part of broader efforts to contribute to national development.
The engagement further highlighted the role of both institutions in supporting young people and creating an environment that encourages responsible citizenship and community development.
Archbishop Ndagoso also called on Nigerians to reject vote-buying and other practices capable of undermining the credibility of elections.
He urged citizens to exercise their civic responsibilities responsibly and support electoral processes that reflect the will of the people.
The call comes amid continuing concerns over the influence of money and other inducements on electoral participation and outcomes in Nigeria.
The CBCN President stressed the importance of citizens playing their part in strengthening democratic institutions and promoting accountable governance.
Both the Ooni and the Catholic bishops reaffirmed the need for sustained cooperation in addressing issues that affect the welfare of Nigerians.
The meeting also underscored the importance of peace-building, youth development and stronger community relationships in creating a more stable and prosperous society.
The engagement between the traditional institution and the Catholic hierarchy is expected to further strengthen dialogue among religious, traditional and community leaders on issues of national importance.
The Second Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria brought the bishops to Osun State, where they also engaged with stakeholders as part of their activities.
The visit to the Ooni’s palace provided an opportunity for the Catholic leadership and the traditional institution of Ile-Ife to reaffirm their shared interest in peace, unity and the advancement of society.
