Accra, Dec. 16, – President John Dramani Mahama has been conferred with a distinguished chieftaincy title by Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife in Nigeria.
The Yoruba monarch bestowed on President Mahama the title Aare Atayeto Oodua of the Source, which translates as “a President or leader who reorganises the global space for humanity.”
In his acceptance remarks, President Mahama expressed profound appreciation to the Ooni for the honour, noting that he received it in memory of his late stepmother, Hajia Nusrat Balogun.
He underscored the long-standing historical and cultural ties between Ghana and Nigeria, describing the two countries as inseparable.
“When Nigeria prospers, Ghana prospers. When Ghana prospers, Nigeria prospers. God brought the two of us together. We are like twins of the same mother,” he said, adding humorously that the only rivalry arose during football matches and debates over jollof rice.
President Mahama said he accepted the chieftaincy title on behalf of the people of Ghana, stressing that it would further strengthen relations between the two nations.
“I do not take this honour lightly. There is a deep historical bond between the people of Ghana and Nigeria,” he stated.
Reflecting on personal history, the President recalled that his late father, Mr E. A. Mahama, who served as a Minister under Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah during Ghana’s First Republic, sought refuge in Nigeria after the 1966 military coup.
He said following his completion of university, he was sent to join his father in exile and spent several years living in different parts of Nigeria, including Lagos, Ofa and Kano.
“I was received very warmly, like family. You could hardly tell that I was not originally from there. Almost everyone in Ofa knew me,” he recalled.
President Mahama said those years deepened his emotional connection to Nigeria, noting his frequent visits to relatives’ homes and his familiarity with local cuisine such as amala, eba and egusi soup.
He said the experience cemented a lifelong bond with Nigeria, adding that as President, he remained committed to strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
“Historically, we are the same people,” he said, noting that the Ga people of Greater Accra trace their ancestral roots to Ile-Ife in Nigeria.
President Mahama also expressed gratitude to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as a long-time friend and mentor.
“I have known President Tinubu for many years. He has been like an elder brother to me and a source of inspiration. Even during difficult times when I was in opposition, he never withdrew his friendship,” he said.
He dedicated the chieftaincy honour to President Tinubu in recognition of that enduring relationship.
In his remarks, the Ooni of Ife praised President Mahama, saying he had achieved what he described as an unprecedented turnaround of Ghana’s economy shortly after assuming office for a second term.
GHBUSS
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