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Tag: Ile –Ife

Ooni pushes for co-operation between OAU, community for development

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has challenged tertiary institutions to ensure that their host communities benefit from their research findings for holistic and balanced development for both.

Ogunwusi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ile-Ife, Osun hat this would further advance the gown-town relationship between towns and citadels of learning.

The monarch told NAN that there was no working relationship between the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and community that could have further uplifted the status of the town culturally, agriculturally and in other sectors.

The monarch also said that the university had not been supporting the developmental plans of the ancient town in empowering its youths in agriculture, cultural orientations and others.

“The community donated a large expanse of land to the institution in a befitting environment to operate where it has been experiencing peace since its establishment in 1962.

“The institution uses the statue of the legendary Oduduwa as part of its logo, meaning that it appreciates culture.

“Also, its motto is “ For Learning and Culture’’ symbolises that the town (community) and the gown (academic community ) must work together for the public interest.

“Also, the indigenes of the town have been cooperating with the institution, thus making the institution to operate in a hitch-free learning environment, ” he said.

Ogunwusi urged the authorities of OAU to come to the aid of the community for both to form a formidable working relationship for the good of all.

He, therefore, appealed to the institution’s authorities to continue upholding what was contained in its motto by impacting the cultural knowledge to the younger generation.

The monarch said that the institution needed to give back in return to the community that had been accommodating it in the spirit of corporate social responsibilities.

“We are not asking for too much, we just wanted the institution to empower some of the indigent youths from the ancient town and its environs on agriculture, culture and other areas that will make them become self-reliant.’’

This is because the future of our youths in the community matters most to us their leaders, he said.

“I will like to use this medium to call on the authorities of the institution to establish a good working relationship and plans of action with Ife community, ” he said.

February 5, 2017
Festac 77 @ 40: Ooni gives blessing, wants traditional rulers involved in planning

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ojaja II, has said that celebrating Festac 77, 40 years after Nigeria hosted it, will help Nigerians to reenact their traditional values, customs and cultures.

The monarch said this while responding to questions from the management and staff of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Lagos office that paid him a courtesy call in Ile-Ife.

They were accompanied with editors and reporters from the editorial and the multi-media departments of the agency .

The oba said that Festac “77 brought love and unity to Nigeria , the host nation then, from all the 59 countries that participated in the one-month-long event.

NAN reports that the Centre for Black African Arts and Culture (CBAAC) is planning to organize events that would commemorate 40 years of Festac’77 from this April to propagate the values and originality of black culture.

It was also initiated to improve and develop the African culture and Nigeria in particular most importantly to leave a legacy that younger generations will live to remember and uphold.

Ogunwusi said that Festac ” 77 brought people of all races and nationalities to Nigeria to showcase their arts, culture and traditions, adding no festival had since surpassed it.

He said that Festac “77 projected the modernisation of cultures and also put forth the ideology of race equality between Africa and other continents of the world.

Ogunwusi said, “Festac ” 77 can rightly be seen as a demonstration and call for African unity and cultural development.

“Festac 77 at 40 is worth celebrating and it will receive my support because of the great legacies it left behind after Nigeria hosted it,’’ he said

The traditional ruler, however, urged CBAAC, the organisers of activities that would mark 40 years after FESTAC’’77 to involve traditional rulers from across the country in its planning.

CBAAC should work closely with traditional rulers because they are the custodians of the African cultures, traditions and heritages, he said.

He said that he had been reading about the coming events in the newspapers but the organizers had not reached out to him.

I think CBAAC should reach out to us traditional rulers across the country for guidance and royal blessings before, during its implementations and after the celebrations, he said.

The monarch also frowned at those saddled with the administration of cultural activities but only assign projects from the sector to those not knowledgeable.

“Traditional projects should be given to the traditionalists, and not just to any person that does not know anything about culture and tradition.

“ The traditionalists are the real custodians of our cultures and traditions. We have killed our culture by giving cultural works to non-practitioners, ” he said.

He urged Nigerians to uphold their cultures and stop the idea of borrowing western culture and civilisation.

“Nigeria has a rich cultural heritage which is wide and varied; and culture is one area where they have a lot to showcase to the rest of the world.

“Nigeria is the most populous black nation in the world with the largest concentration of blacks,’’ he said.

The monarch lauded the Yoruba race and other ethnic groups in Nigeria for upholding and sustaining their traditional values and culture as genuine Africans.

“The Yoruba are still the one upholding the culture of the black race in the world.

“ Some of the nationals of Cuba, Brazil, Caribbean Island, Trinidad and Tobago emancipated from Nigeria, from Yoruba land precisely.

“They speak and teach Yoruba language in some parts of these countries. Some of their nationals had also traced their roots to Yoruba land,” he said.

The other ethnic groups in the country are also doing well and are among the best custodians of their traditional cultures and heritages in the world.

“This is highly commendable,’’ he said.

February 3, 2017
Ile-Ife never defeated Ugbo
In the story published in The Nation on Sunday, September 25, 2016, which featured an interview with Oba (Dr.) Frederick Obateru Akinruntan (CON), Olugbo of Ugboland, it was wrongly claimed that the Ugbos were defeated and displaced from Ile Ife by Oduduwa. We are taken aback and embarrassed because the Olugbo of Ugboland never said such.

Many historians have either by ignorance or by the age long propaganda of some Yoruba oligarchies tried to subvert and bury the truth about the ownership of Ile Ife.

Their calculated attempts went as far as corrupting the academic curriculum and even going as far as planting disaffection among monarchs who tried to cry against the criminal injustice done to Yoruba history.

To set the records straight, Oduduwa came in as a stranger to Ile Ife, and according to Samuel Johnson, he wandered for about 90 days before seeing the hills of Ife. He was taken to Ilero, which is unanimously adjudged by the elders of Ile Ife today as the oldest assembly in Yorubaland. It is also of interest that Ilero is preserved till today, along Iremo road, in Ile Ife. It was at Ilero that Osangangan Obamakin, the son of Oranfe, the aboriginal King of ancient Ile Ife, otherwise called, Ugbomokun presided over the affairs of all the communities as Paramount Ruler of sixteen communities of which thirteen have been identified and are still in existence today. The leaders of the communities were kings who wore beaded crowns and they all gathered at Ilero to discuss cogent matters that involved the communities, consult Ifa oracle and Osanyin for peaceful administration.

It is interesting to know that the quarters of Osangangan Obamakin, the progenitor of Yoruba race, are still existing today in Ile Ife with the aboriginal kith and kin still holding principal roles in the affairs of Ile Ife.

Problems started after certain rulers began to complain about how favourably disposed Osangangan Obamakin was to Oduduwa despite Oduduwa being a stranger. It is founded in history that it took Oduduwa 16 years to be adept in Ikedu which was the aboriginal language spoken at that time, despite that, Obamakin allotted farmlands to Oduduwa and gave him residences. Nevertheless, trouble broke out when a struggle for supremacy ensued between Oduduwa and Obatala who at that time was leader of Idita community.

Oduduwa defeated Obatala (not killed Obatala as some have wrongly put it) and overan Idita. Obatala was forced from Idita Ile to Idita Oko and eventually he took refuge in Iwinrin, the ancestral home of Obamakin, the Paramount King of all the communities. The incident is reenacted till today in a yearly festival in Ile Ife, where the direct descendants of Obatala at Idita are seen to boast against Oduduwa, and in Idita and several aboriginal communities in Ile Ife, you dare not call them Omo Oduduwa.

At this instant, Ugbomokun was divided and so many warriors gathered at Igbo Ugbo, at the outskirts of present Ife to launch an attack to destroy Oduduwa, his allies and their quarters. This was because of Oduduwa’s insistence to hold on to Idita after Obamakin had sent a decree to him to release Idita to Obatala. The refusal of Oduduwa to stop his occupation of Idita where Obatala was ruler made Obamakin, the paramount ruler to order the complete annihilation of Oduduwa’s camp.

However, it was customary and compulsory to inquire from Ifa Oracle, the divinity of wisdom and Osanyin before anything could be done. The war was never to be because at Igbo Ugbo, Ifa forbade that Ife be destroyed rather, Ifa commanded that the warriors should leave Ile Ife, despite being the aborigines and original settlers of Ile Ife, to found a new Kingdom, where Obamakin would find what his descendants would feed on till the end of days.

Many warriors committed suicide at the disappointing divination and some turned to trees, boulders and rocks, streams etc. Baba Sigidi turned himself to a boulder and his image is still seen in Ile Ife today off Iremo road, and is a tourist site. It is pertinent to state at this point that Obamakin, and indeed Ugbo were never defeated.

This and many more bares the physical, spiritual and ethnographic evidences of the paramount role of the Olugbo, and the ownership of Ile Ife by his ancestors, as corroborated by His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi as well as the monarch of Benin Kingdom who joined his ancestors recently, His Imperial Majesty, Omonoba Erediauwa.

The Ugbo were never defeated in Ile Ife and history testifies to this.
- Otunba Sebastian Edigan
Gbobaniyi of Ugboland (Araba Obamakin), Ikoyi, Lagos
October 2, 2016
OAU names Elujoba as acting VC

In compliance with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Senate of the the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has recommended Prof Anthony Adebolu Elujoba for appointment as the acting Vice Chancellor of the University.

A release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that after an extensive deliberation by the Senate, presided over by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof Omolayo Ajayi, Elujoba was elected by massive votes of the over 200 senate members in attendance.

The new Ag Vice Chancellor, is an accomplished academic who had served in various capacity over the years as the Head of Department of Pharmacognosis, Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy; Chairman, Committee of Deans and Chairman, Ceremonials Committee of the University among others. He is also a n alumnus of the university.

The statement said the news of the recommendation of Elujoba was greeted with wide jubilation by the workers.

July 21, 2016
Update: Protest in OAU continues

…New VC may not resume

…FG urged to intervene in crisis

Workers of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, under the aegis of Non-Academic Staff Union and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, on Thursday continued their protest.

They organised a protest on Thursday to mark the exit of the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole, who will complete his tenure today.

On Wednesday, they protested non-payment of their allowances and alleged imposition of a newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of the univesrity, Prof. Ayobami Salami, which they claimed was illegal because of alleged manipulation of the process that produced him.

The members of the university staff unions had embarked on continuous protest and strike action since June 6.

They noted that the protest and strike action were to enable the university authorities accede to their demands.

The protesters, who carried a mock coffin of Omole round the university campus, were singing unprintable songs against the outgoing the former vice chancellor, describing his tenure as “oppressive and corrupt.”

Putting on white dresses, the protesters said their choice of white attire was to show that they were not mourning but rejoicing the exit of Omole.

Meanwhile the vice chancellor, Prof. Salami, may not resume office today as scheduled because of the protests.

The OAU SSANU chairman, Comrade Ademola Oketunde, appealed to President Muhammed Buhari to intervene in the crisis bedeviling the university for peace to reign.

He implored the federal government to investigate alleged injustice in the university during the tenure of Omole.

Oketunde said: “We are full of joy that after being in bondage over the past five-year, Omole is going. We have to celebrate his exit and pray no to have a VC like him again. ‎We have lost confidence in both the University management and even the Governing Council.

“We call on President Muhammed Buhari to intervene by appointing an acting VC. The FG should set up an investigative panel that is not biased and also extend the war against corruption ‎to OAU.”

He faulted the decision of the university management to shut the institution indefinitely, saying, “Shutting down the university shows that the school management is guilty of our allegations. It shows that they have done a wrong thing.”

Also, the OAU NASU chairman, Comrade Wole Odewunmi, insisted that the union would not dialogue on matters relating to appointment of the new VC.

According to him, “The appointment of Salami is not accepted by my union. We want the university authorities to follow due process and not bring in someone through the back doors. The FG should come in right now and appoint an acting VC for OAU in other for peace to reign.”

June 23, 2016
OAU shut down indefinitely

The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State was shut down Wednesday following workers protest over appointment of the institution’s new vice chancellor, Prof. Ayobami Salami.

Workers of the OAU under the aegis of Non Academic Staff of Universities (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (SSANU) till Wednesday intensified their protest over non-payment of allowances and alleged imposition of a Vice-Chancellor despite the ‘no work’, ‘no pay’ threat by the university’s authorities.

The workers, who claimed that the new Vice Chancellor’s appointment was illegal, vowed to stop him from resuming office Thursday.

The authorities shut down the university less than two days to the expiration of the tenure of the outgoing vice chancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole.

In a public announcement, monitored on Ife-based radio station, the university Registrar, Dotun Awoyemi, explained that the closure was to ensure the safety of students and staff.

On the radio anouncement he said: “We have shut down the university indefinitely pending the time that we will resolve issues with our workers – NASU and SSANU. We have asked our newly students to go home and postponed the resumption of old students indefinitely.”

The old students of the university are expected to resume next week after a two-month break.

June 22, 2016
OAU Non-Teaching staffs protest over new VC’s appointment

All activities at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife were paralysed on Wednesday when the non-teaching staffs of the university locked down the instituton to protest over the appointment of the new vice chancellor, Prof Ayobami Taofeek Salami for the Institution despite court order restraining it.

The Governing Council of the OAU had on Tuesday announced the appointment of Professor Ayobami Salami as the new vice chancellor of the institution.

Vehicular movement came to a halt and was disrupted causing traffic gridlock for over three hours within the institution.

The protest which is the second in less than a week was started around 8:30 am, which was led by the Chairman of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, (SSANU), Comrade Ademola Oketunde and Chairman Non Academic Staff Union of Universities, (NASUy, Comrade Wole Odewumi.

The two union leaders expressed shock at the violation of court order by by the Governing Council.

The protest started in February this year when eligible candidates were signifying interest in the post of the new VC which became vacant on the 23rd of this month.

The protest after some hours turned to a prayer session where they were calling for God’s intervention.

The union members also later staged their protest to the house of the VC, which was alleged to have been renovated with N150 million.

Addressing the it’s members, Comrade Oketunde described the appointment of Prof Salami as the new VC of the university as a ‘contempt of court order’.

“We started this protest since Tuesday when we heard that the university governing council has appointed a new VC without waiting for the court judgement we filled against them. ‎The court has ordered them not to appoint any VC until they give their judgement but they went ahead to fault this order” he said

Oketunde disclosed that the union has filled a contempt of court against the university management and it’s governing council, adding that the case will be for hearing on Friday.

Efforts of the outgoing VC, Prof Bamitale Omole and the Chairman of the Institution’s Governing Council, Prof Ndoma Egba to douse the tension, were not successful,

However, Public Relations Officer, OAU,Aiodubn Olanrewaju said the guidelines for appointment of the new VC was never violated.

Olarewaju noted that the institution’s council followed due process and ensured transparency in‎ the appointment of Prof Salami as the new VC.

June 8, 2016
OAU hosts African Student for Liberty Conference

The African foremost university, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife is set to host the annual African Student for Liberty Conference in Nigeria.

The conference that is an intellectually-engaging student conference will bring together campus leaders and advocates of free society to discuss, and share practical ideas on how to promote the ideas of tolerance, liberty and markets.

The ASFL Programs Director, Olumayo Okediran said that the event will be the third edition that will be held in the institution with two previous editions that had been held at University of Ibadan.

Okediran said that the conference will be in tune with the theme #ShareYourStory with speakers sharing their personal experiences in the liberty movement, and how the ideas of liberty have helped them in their life pursuits.

Speakers at the event include: Japheth Omojuwa, Editor, AfricanLiberty.org; Yael Ossowski, Program Director ESFL; Olumayowa Okediran, Programs Manager, ASFL; Martin VanStaden, Member ASFL Executive Member; Linda Kavuka, Chair ASFL Executive Member; Isack Danford, Founder Uhuru, Tanzania;

Others include Emeka Ezeugo, Program Associate; Wale Ajetunmobi, Campus Life Editor, The Nation Newspaper; Adewale Bankole, Country Director Bastiat Society among others. The speakers will be speaking on range of practical, interesting and diverse topics as it concerns liberty today.

The conference will be at Cooperative Building Hall, behind Zenith Bank of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile–Ife, Nigeria with the free lunch pack and coffee for every participant at the event.

Interested applicants should apply

April 8, 2016
Protest in Ile-Ife over appointment of new Obalufe

•Ooni to protesters:let peace reign

There was a protest in Ile-Ife yesterday against the appointment of Comrade Idowu Olaniyi Adediwura as the Obalufe of Ife.

Aggrieved members of the Aga Orunto ruling family marched on the palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, to complain about Adediwura’s alleged imposition.

Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the protesters alleged that the Ooni was misinformed by some traditional rulers in appointing Adediwura as his deputy.

They said it was wrong not to have appointed someone from their family to replace the late Oba Folorunso Omisakin, who died last October.

According to them, the appointment should be in the order of Ajagbusi, Ado Gbodo, Aga and Jaojo.

They said the late Oba Omisakin hailed from the Ado Gbodo ruling house.

They requested that the candidate who emerged victorious during the screening of candidates from the Aga Orunto family should be appointed.

They said a screening was conducted for 10 candidates on December 31, last year.

Speaking on their grievances, Prince Oluwasegun Olayade from Aga family said: “We are protesting because my family has been deprived of the Obalufe position that we are entitled to based on the order of the gazette.

“Four ruling houses are entitled to it based on that existing arrangement and there was no disorder, until it was our turn.

“When the issue was getting hot, the Ooni called us to present candidates and that if we do not present the names on time, he will choose for us.

“We submitted the names on time but he refused to honour us.

“Suddenly, we heard that he has appointed some one who is not from our Aga ruling house, which is the next house to be appointed Obalufe.

“This has never happened before; the position of Obalufe is a prominent one that cannot be bathed with injustice.

“The Ooni cannot overrule our choices when it is not the case that we are fighting dirty within the family.

“The previous method has always been peaceful using the gazette; this one may result in crisis.

“The Ooni should return the position to the Aga Orunto family for peace to reign.”

The Director of Media and Public Affairs,Ooni’s palace, Moses Olafare, said Adediwura’s appointment followed due process.

He advised the people of Iremo community and Ile-Ife to join hands with the Ooni in “his dedicated moves to ensure peace, progress and unity of Ile-Ife.”

The appointment of the Obalufe is in order and followed the right process.

The appointment was done after wide consultations with the appropriate quarters and followed laid down procedures.

“We urge the few aggrieved people to allow peace to reign. The new Obalufe is capable.”

March 15, 2016
Day Ile-Ife became tourism zone

As the Ooni of Ife, Alayeluwa Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi declares Ile-Ife a tourism zone, Edozie Udeze reports on the importance of this epoch

When the Ooni of Ife, Alayeluwa Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi ascended the throne of his forefathers last year, one of his avowed cardinal points is to make Ile-Ife a tourism town. Ile-Ife being a rich town in terms of cultural artfacts and festivals, it was clear from the evidence before the Ooni that tourism could be made richer if these great traditions are tapped for the benefit of Ife people and Nigeria.

This was what happened on February 27th in Ife when the town was officially declared as a tourism zone. The programme which lasted for 2 days saw Ife in a festive mood with visitors from far and near to give official vent to a town that is not only the cradle of the Yoruba, but a place reckoned by the people as where creation started; where man’s origin began.

It is clear that Ile-Ife had been under-utilized as a cultural haven given its enviable position as the headquarters of the Yoruba race. That the Ooni, a well-known entrepreneur, estate mogul and business man has come out openly to elevate the town to its proper position as a tourism zone, needs the commendation of all. Like he rightly noted during the occasion, “with over 250 deities worshipped and adored on different days in the town and other numerous gods and goddesses, it will be imperative to use these to attract visitors to the town.”

Most cities of the world rely purely on the natural contents of their vicinities in terms of traditions and heritage to encourage tourism to prosper and spread. If the Ifa festival is allowed every year to take the centre stage; if the people themselves help in ensuring that these traditions are promoted, then visitors themselves will obviously see the need to be part of it. This is the task before the Ooni – to let the people have value for what is their own.

His claim that the Noah’s Ark anchored within Ife territory is an interesting claim. Yet it is a claim to be properly verified by cultural and Biblical historians who up till date, have not told us that such a claim is valid or verifiable. This claim has to be given its proper empirical proof and even archeologists have to be invited to do all the excavations to bring this claim to the surface.

Even the Director-General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Mrs. Sally Mbanefo made it clear on the occasion that the corporation would go into research to see how authentic this can be. “It is after that, that we can conveniently come out to make our position clear. That the Noah’s Ark may be in Ife is a good boast to tourism. However, we have always made it clear that it is our responsibility to dwell on domestic tourism. It is time to develop domestic tourism. I have always believed that if domestic tourism is properly harnessed, its contribution to national GDP can never be overemphasized. Therefore all institutions and objects of interest in the town of Ile-Ife have to be put in their proper perspectives for the good of the people,” she said.

Even though the Ooni is keeping the actual place of the Ark close to his chest, the fact that Ile-Ife is reckoned as one of the cradles of humanity, makes it an important historical town. This importance, in the view of Akin Adejuwon, the Artistic Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria should be kept safe particularly in terms of using the festivals to keep the people agog. He said “Ife is essential to us as a beehive of cultural heritage. Even we as the Yorubas can never do without the imperativeness of the town. So, this is time to encourage every content of tourism in the town to be celebrated. This is why the National Troupe is also involved,” he decided.

He went on; “we know that we have to promote towns and cities with serious culture contents to promote tourism. We have plenty of such in Nigeria. The states are the ones that own the tourism contents and we have to start from there. It is when they have developed these contents that the national can take them up for proper promotion. So this one on Ife is geared essentially towards encouraging the Ooni. Since he came into office he has been saying that he would dwell on the promotion of domestic tourism. Ife occupies a pivot place in it all. As at today he has promised to make Ifa a global cultural destination. Already Ife is a global destination. Ife is rooted in Ifa festival and tradition. Ifa is one of the foremost of Ife deities. The world wants to see it celebrated.” Adejuwon affirmed.

Beyond that too, Ife will be remembered as a town where the Ooni is never bereft of ideas on how to preserve these historical and cultural relics. Adejuwon said, “When we were invited to perform for the Ooni at the instance of the Cuban Ambassador in Abuja, we also keyed in to promote what he Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed implored us to do. That is to ensure that culture is tapped to add to the GDP of the country. Very soon culture will be one of the foremost export commodities in Nigeria.”

When the declaration was done last month, visitors came from far and near to honour a town known for its cultural efficacy. Julian Curtis from Brazil described it as a home away from home. “This is great. I will come again when the Ifa festival is being celebrated. In Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, we love the Ifa; we believe in the Ifa and we have been celebrating it for ages. What the Ooni did today is memorable,” he said.

March 13, 2016