Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdurosheed Akanbi, has appealed to the newly appointed supreme leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, to embrace dialogue in the ongoing war in the middle East, saying embracing it is not a sign of cowardice.
This was contained in a statement and made available to Journalists in Osogbo, Osun State.
Oba Akanbi said Khamenei’s leadership comes at a critical moment for a world already suffering economic strain and conflict, especially across the Middle East.
“I congratulate the newly appointed Iranian Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. You assumed the leadership role at a very critical time. Your administrative prowess is a factor in the world’s peace or otherwise,” the monarch said.
Oba Akanbi recalled the impact of the assassination of the immediate past supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying the pain cannot be quickly forgotten, but warned that peace will be impossible without forgiveness and dialogue.
The traditional ruler, who posited that continued conflict risks deepening economic hardship for ordinary people, said, “The world is groaning in pain.
The Middle East is bleeding profusely. The pain of the gruesome assassination of the immediate past Supreme Leader of Iran cannot be forgotten in haste, but there can’t be peace should we refuse to forgive ourselves.”
He cautioned that prolonged fighting would further harm the low‑ and middle‑income populations already struggling with soaring fuel prices and the rising cost of living and appealed to the new leader to choose reconciliation to spare civilians from avoidable suffering.
“Embracing dialogue is not cowardice. Those who embrace peace are true winners,” Oba Akanbi said, urging the United States and Israel to call for a truce.
Akanbi further decried the destruction of public amenities built with taxpayers’ resources and said a commitment to peace by Mojtaba Khamenei could restore hope and prosperity.
“If Mojtaba Khamenei says yes to peace today, the world will be peaceful. I have strong hopes that your administration will be remembered for the restoration of peace, hope and prosperity to the world,” he said.
