The Okanlomo Oodua and Bada Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi, has called for renewed unity, cooperation, and collective purpose among Oduduwa descendants, particularly Ibadan indigenes living in the diaspora.
Chief Sanusi made the call while hosting the Planning Committee of the Ibadan Festival in Cotonou at the prestigious Ilaji Resort on Tuesday.
Addressing the delegation, the Ibadan-born philanthropist and community leader emphasized that unity remains the strongest tool for preserving cultural heritage, strengthening communal bonds, and advancing the collective interest of Ibadanland and the entire Oduduwa race across the globe.
He noted that Ibadan people, irrespective of their location, share a common ancestry, history, and destiny, urging those in the diaspora to continue projecting Ibadan’s values of resilience, hospitality, and leadership in their host communities.
Chief Sanusi commended the initiative to organize the Ibadan Festival in Cotonou, describing it as a laudable platform for cultural preservation, youth engagement, and intergenerational connection. He assured the committee of his moral support and encouragement, stressing that such initiatives foster unity not only among Ibadan indigenes abroad but also between the diaspora and the homeland.
According to him, sustainable development and progress for Ibadanland can only be achieved when sons and daughters of the land work together with a shared vision, devoid of division, rancour, or personal interests.
Members of the planning committee, in their remarks, appreciated Chief Sanusi for the warm reception and his consistent commitment to cultural promotion, community development, and the unification of Oduduwa descendants worldwide.
The meeting ended on a positive note, with renewed commitment by all parties to strengthen unity and ensure the success of the forthcoming Ibadan Festival in Cotonou, while sustaining strong ties with the homeland.