President John Mahama
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President John Dramani Mahama has been installed as Aare Atayeto Oodua of the Source by the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

‎The ceremony was held in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria on December 15.

The Yoruba title is interpreted as ‘A President or a Leader who Reorganizes the Global Space for Humanity’

Speaking at the event President Mahama said instead of ostracizing the three countries that have exited ECOWAS to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), the focus should be on building bridges and sustaining dialogue with them to safeguard regional unity and stability.

The countries are; Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

President Mahama said engagement, not isolation, remains the most effective path to resolving the current regional impasse.

“Our sub-region is facing challenges. We all know what is happening in the Sahel. Three of our members have decided to break away and form the AES. I believe that it shouldn’t deter us, because God put us in this sub-region together for a purpose. And so, I believe that instead of ostracizing them, we must work to continue to build a bridge between ECOWAS and our brothers in the Sahel. Because our destinies are tied together,” he said.
The President added that, “In Ghana they say if there’s fire burning in your neighbor’s house, take water and go and help him to quench the fire. Because when he finishes burning his house, it will spread into your house. And so, we must continue to build bridges with our brothers in the AES countries and continue to encourage them to come back into the fold.”
The Yoruba title was conferred in recognition of President Mahama’s leadership and his consistent advocacy for global cooperation, fairness, and sustainable development.

The conferment event was preceded by several days of preparations at the Ooni’s palace, marked by customary rites.

This latest recognition adds to President Mahama’s tall list of traditional honours.

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