Ooni reveals reason for supporting states in COVID-19 fight

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has disclosed his reasons for supporting the fight against COVID-19 pandemic saying he does not want to be a king over the dead.

The monarch, who spoke yesterday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, where he donated two motorised modular fumigators and a drone to the state government to help fight the pandemic, said that it became necessary for him to assist the state government to check the spread of the virus because he did not want to be a king over the dead.

He said the drone was meant to fumigate areas not accessible by vehicles, adding that the government would only use the drone for a period before returning it.

Oba Ogunwusi said the fumigators were fabricated locally by an Osun State indigene in Ondo State, Mr. Victor Badejo, noting that the materials used for the equipment were sourced locally.

He said: “Nigerians should look at how the citizenry can explore resources for the development of the nation after the pandemic is conquered.

“The mixtures used for the fumigation were put together by an Obafemi Awolowo University don, Prof. Olapeju Esima, a World Health Organisation (WHO) consultant.

“I appeal to Nigerians to adhere to the precautionary measures recommended by the government to prevent the spread of the dreadful virus.”

Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who thanked the traditional ruler for the donation, said plans were on to shut the popular Shasha market in Akure for not adhering to a procedure to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Akeredolu, who described Oba Ogunwusi as a blessing to the country, said he visited the market and prayed that COVID-19 pandemic would not break out there.

He expressed interest in acquiring more of the locally-motorised modular fumigators from the manufacturer.

The governor noted that after sensitising the people to the risk of the spread of the pandemic, the Seriki of the market promised to shut down the market and allow it to open twice a week to check the spread of Coronavirus.

“You know how serious this pandemic is. This morning we were at Shasha, we saw how people were behaving. No social distancing. No use of nose masks. We hope nothing breaks out in that place. They have promised to close the market and open twice a week,” he said.