Two paramount rulers from the South West geopolitical zone of Nigeria, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ile Ife, and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, have both pledged unalloyed support to the Kanu Heart Foundation.
The kings made the assurance following a courtesy call by Nigeria football legend Nwankwo Kanu in his drive to further seek support for the 18-year-old foundation that has assisted hundreds of children with heart-related problems.
“I’m so happy that the Ooni of Ife has gladly accepted to be the grand patron of Kanu Heart Foundation during my courtesy call on him at his palace on Monday,” explained the former Super Eagles captain and Arsenal forward.
“This is no doubt a big achievement for KHF and I’m so happy that Oba Ogunwusi has pledged to support our charity projects. I’m so happy.”
Kanu used the occasion of his visit to present a branded Super Eagles shirt to the Ooni as well as the first jersey to be made for the forthcoming Ojaja Principal Cup to be competed for by secondary scool students in Ile-Ife and its environs.
Meanwhile, on his way back from Ile-Ife, Kanu also made a stop in Ibadan to enlist the support of the Olubadan.
The Atlanta ’96 Olympics men’s football gold medal-winning captain described the occasion as a dream come true.
He said: “It was like using one stone to kill two birds for KHF because after meeting Oni in Ile-Ife, I was also with the Olubadan and I’m happy with the warm reception in Ibadan and to have the endorsement of these two important traditional rulers for KHF is a big boost for us.
“We are still going to reach out to other notable traditional rulers so that they too can support the good job we are doing at the KHF.”
