Make peace your top priority — Ooni charges new Osun CP

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has charged Osun State’s new Police Commissioner, CP Ibrahim Umar Zungura to make peace and security his top priorities as he assumes leadership of the State Police command.

The reverred traditional ruler gave the charge on Thursday when he received Zungura during a courtesy visit to his palace in Ile-Ife.

Welcoming the Police Chief, Ooni Ogunwusi commended him for making the palace one of his early stops after assuming office, describing the gesture as a demonstration of his commitment to working with traditional institutions.

The Ooni also acknowledged the security pressures that had confronted the state in recent months, particularly during the pre-election and post-election periods, as well as the transition within the police command.

“I want to thank you for your strong will and energy to come and pay homage ever since you resumed in Osun. We know that things are just calming down in Osun, from election to changing the CP, and handing over, trying to douse the tension, pre-election and post-election. You have been busy. We want to thank you.”

“We are just for peace and nothing but peace. We want good structure. Whenever there is peace, there will be development.”

“The truth be told, in every community, we have the good and the bad. If you work with them, they will lead you to the right path and they will let your work be so easy.”

“This is your palace. Feel free to come at any time. Both Ife and Kano, they are home for you.”

“There is a strong bond between my ancestors and the Emirate of Kano, and I want to tell you it is getting stronger till date. Nothing can stop it; we will definitely continue with it,” he said.

Earlier, CP Zungura expressed appreciation to the Ooni for receiving him and explained that his visit was motivated by the longstanding historical relationship between Kano and Ile-Ife.

The Kano-born Police boss said he grew up hearing about the Ooni of Ife and later learnt more about the relationship between the Kano Palace and the Ooni’s Palace.

“I grew up in Kano knowing about Ooni of Ife. When I grew up further, I realised that there is a bold relationship between the Kano Palace and Ooni of Ife Palace.”

“I am here to come to your palace for your blessings and prayer. I believe the first royal father to visit is the Ooni of Ife. And from here, I can be proud to be a Commissioner of Police in Osun State.”

“Now that I am here in the palace, by extension, I am the son of this palace. I can stretch my hand and leg that I am the son and indigene of this palace.”

“My men, the police officers within your district, told me the kind assistance and support you always give to them, and I am here before you to submit myself as a subject of this palace and as a son,” he said.