President John Dramani Mahama has described the chieftaincy title conferred on him by the Ooni of Ife as a symbol of the deep and historic bond between Ghana and Nigeria.
President Mahama received the title Aare Atayeto Oodua of the Source from the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, during a colourful traditional ceremony held in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
According to President Mahama, the honour was received on behalf of all Ghanaians and will further strengthen diplomatic, cultural, and people-to-people relations between the two West African nations.
“I receive this chieftaincy title on behalf of all the people of Ghana. It will further cement the relationship between us,” the President stated.
He highlighted the shared history between the two countries, noting that the prosperity of one nation positively impacts the other. President Mahama likened Ghana and Nigeria to “twins of the same mother,” joking that differences only arise during football matches and debates over jollof rice.
President Mahama also reflected on his personal ties to Nigeria, recounting the years he lived in the country during his father’s exile. He described the warm reception he received from Nigerians and said the experience deepened his emotional connection to the country.
The President reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, stating that as long as he remains in office, he will continue working to bring the people of Ghana and Nigeria even closer.
The ceremony was attended by traditional rulers, political leaders, cultural custodians, and members of both Ghanaian and Nigerian communities, underscoring the strong historical and cultural ties between the two nations.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
