Mahama Honoured by Ooni of Ife as Yoruba Chief, Pledges Deeper Ghana–Nigeria Ties
President John Dramani Mahama has received a high-profile chieftaincy honour from Nigeria, with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, conferring on him the prestigious Yoruba title Aare Atayeto Oodua of the Source.
The title, which celebrates visionary leadership and global reorganisation for the good of humanity, was bestowed in recognition of President Mahama’s statesmanship and enduring commitment to African unity.
Accepting the honour, President Mahama expressed profound gratitude to the Ooni and dedicated the title to his late stepmother, Hajia Nusrat Balogun, whom he described as central to his personal connection with Nigeria. He said the recognition also belonged to the people of Ghana and would further strengthen the historic relationship between the two West African neighbours.
Emphasising the deep-rooted bond between both countries, President Mahama likened Ghana and Nigeria to “twins of the same mother,” noting that their fortunes were closely intertwined—save for friendly rivalries in football and the ever-competitive jollof rice debate.
The President reflected on his personal history in Nigeria, recalling the years he spent there after his father, Mr E. A. Mahama, a minister under Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, went into exile following the 1966 coup. He spoke fondly of living in Lagos, Ofa and Kano, where he said he was embraced as family and developed a lifelong affinity for Nigerian culture and people.
President Mahama reiterated his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, stressing that as President, he would continue to work to bring Ghanaians and Nigerians closer together. He also highlighted shared historical roots, noting that the Ga people of Greater Accra trace their origins to Ile-Ife.
He further used the occasion to acknowledge his long-standing friendship with Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he described as a mentor and steadfast ally, even during periods when he was in opposition. President Mahama dedicated the chieftaincy honour to President Tinubu in appreciation of their enduring bond.
For his part, the Ooni of Ife praised President Mahama’s leadership, describing the economic turnaround in Ghana following his return to office as unprecedented and a testament to his vision and capacity to lead.
The conferment, rich in symbolism and history, underscores growing diplomatic, cultural and personal ties between Ghana and Nigeria, anchored by shared heritage and mutual respect.
