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Tag: Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi

  • Sultan, Orangun join Ooni for groundbreaking of Ojaja varsity

    Sultan, Orangun join Ooni for groundbreaking of Ojaja varsity

    The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Oyedotun, and the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, on Saturday joined the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, for the groundbreaking of the Ojaja University project in Ile-Ife. The event formed part of activities marking the Ooni’s 10th coronation anniversary and his commitment to expanding the kingdom’s developmental legacy.

    Speaking at the ceremony, the Sultan commended the Ooni’s developmental strides over the past decade, describing legacy-building as one of the highest callings of leadership.

    “Leaving a legacy is the best you can do in your life,” he said. “I am grateful to the Almighty that in our time we have people like the Ooni who are truly committed to improving the lives of our people.”

    He described the Ooni as his “twin brother,” noting that they frequently consult and reach consensus on critical issues before taking public positions.

    The Sultan dismissed negative commentaries often directed at leaders, saying such criticisms are inevitable for those in positions of authority.

    Read Also: Wanted: legislative action on state/council joint account provision

    “If you are a leader, people must say negative things about you. If you are a nobody, nobody will bother,” he said. “Do not answer such people; responding only elevates them.”

    He urged Nigerians to pray for all leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors, and traditional rulers. “We are the ones closest to the people, and we know their pains and their cries,” he added.

    In his remarks, the Ooni expressed gratitude to all who have supported him since the beginning of his reign, particularly his wives and fellow monarchs within and outside Ile-Ife.

    Reflecting on the Ojaja University project, he recounted its long journey, which began in Ilorin, Kwara State, when the earlier institution—Crown Hill University—faced collapse.

    “Six years ago, rather than allow the university to completely collapse, I took it upon myself,” he said.

    He described the project as a challenging but meaningful investment, adding that, anyone who sets up a university thinking they will make money from it is mistaken. It should be a legacy project, he said.

    The Ooni said the sod-turning of the Ojaja University campus marks the most significant highlight of his 10th anniversary, declaring the project a generational gift dedicated to education and youth development.

  • No fight between Ooni and I, says Alaafin

    No fight between Ooni and I, says Alaafin

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has refuted reports of a rift between him and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

    Oba Owoade’s recent visit to some monarchs in Osun state — Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude and Oluwo of Iwo — had triggered widespread insinuations on social media, with many interpreting the gesture as a snub on the Ooni of Ife.

    Reacting, Oba Owoade said he had intended to visit the Ooni as the first point of call during the visit but was informed that Oba Adeyeye was out of the country.

    Read Also: Fire guts hotel with over 480 Nigerian pilgrims in Mecca

    In the now-viral video, Oba Owoade who spoke in Yoruba said: “It is not something you hide. Before we made all preparations for this journey, one of the kings I intended to visit was the Ooni of Ife

    “I informed my PA and Chief of Staff earlier to know when we would visit him, and his PAs were also contacted before we were informed he went to Kazakhstan.

    “People who do not know about this are the ones spreading rumours on the internet. I have no rift with the Ooni. There was even a time I was with the Soun (of Ogbomoso), and we both spoke with the Ooni on the phone.”

  • Babayemi Hails Ooni at 50

    Babayemi Hails Ooni at 50

    Omooba Dotun Babayemi, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Osun State, has joined millions of people around the globe in celebrating the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on his 50th birthday celebration.

    Babayemi commended the highly reverred royal father for leading the cultural rebirth of the Yoruba race.

    In his congratulatory message to the people of Ife, House of Oduduwa and the people of the state on Oba Ogunwusi’s birthday, he opined that the future of Yoruba race was bright.

    Read Also: Ibadan Mogajis, CCII, Monarchs, Baales, Sanusi greet Ooni at 50

    “Kabiyesi,as you mark this golden milestone, we celebrate your exemplary leadership, vision, and dedication to the growth and unity of the Yoruba land and beyond. Our hope for a more robust tomorrow for our people is assured,” Babayemi stressed.

    The party stalwart added: “In sync with other royal fathers in Yoruba land, the cultural renaissance currently being pursued by His Imperial Majesty, will ensure that the future of the Yoruba people is not culturally thrown into the dungeon.”

    While praying for long life for the monarch, Babayemi also prayed for peaceful reign that would be accompanied by enviable heights, not only in the ancient town of Ile-Ife and Osun State, but the entire nation.

  • Ooni of Ife goes into seclusion as Olojo festival commences

    Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II,is in festival mood as the Olojo festival has taken off. In Ife, it is said that the Ooni has gone to commune with the Almighty. And he does this with fasting and prayer.

    The Ooni of Ife, this time around, has unlimited requests as his prayer points swelled. The Ife monarch wants a better Nigeria; he has, therefore decided to pray for the unity and peaceful governance of the country, among other numerous prayer requests he has taken to Providence.

  • Ooni of Ife, Segun Adefila, others for ‘The Dance Workshop’

    OONI of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Co-founder and artistic director of the Crown Troupe of Africa, Segun Adefila, are set to attend ‘The Dance Workshop. Other guests expected at the event include,  Mr Valentine Ozigbo, CEO Transcorp Nigeria Plc, Dancer/Choreographer, Sayquon Keys and award winning veteran dancer, Victor Erebifa Phullu popularly called ‘Sir Vic’.’

    Tagged ‘Dance is serious business 2.0’, the event holds on June 3, 2019 at Landmark Convention Center, Lagos.

    Speaking in a video posted by Kaffy, Oba Ogunwusi said: “Without our culture, we don’t have any identity. That is who we are, our heritage is key to our day to day activities. And that is reason why we must look for means to preserve our heritage and culture. And that is the reason I am supporting the international dance workshop.

    “It is a very beautiful initiative being powered by Kaffy and her entire team. I am very proud to be part of the initiative that will propel our youth in terms of how we can uphold our heritage, culture and tradition in our day to day activities. It is going to turn around the economy of Nigeria.”

    ‘The Dance Workshop’ is an annual dance conference designed to inspire, train and mentor dancers in the art of dance, business of dance and how to establish a profitable career.

    This year’s edition will stimulate dialogue between stakeholders, dance professionals within and outside the country, and other factions of the entertainment industry and its  corporate employers.

  • Ooni to grace 1st Africa Tourism Diaspora Conference

    THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja 11), will be the special guest of honour at this year’s inaugural edition of the African Tourism Diaspora Conference. The conference will be part of the 15th Akwaaba African Travel Market taking place from September 22  nd to 24th, this year, in Lagos.

    The Oba will be addressing not just the Yoruba nation at the event which takes place September 23rd, but the global African diaspora on bringing African cultures together to grow its people.

    The Ooni in his remark while receiving the Akwaaba team who came to invite him on the side lines of a NATOP visit said:  “There are over 500 million Yoruba’s across the world and the ancestral home of Ile-Ife is ready to welcome them when they visit Nigeria”. He said the African Tourism Diaspora conference is a great platform and timely for this important conversation to be held

    Meanwhile, the organisers of Akwaaba travel fair have announced the partnership deal with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation UK chapter for this year’s event. The partnership was signed last year at the World Travel Market held in London. The Caribbean Tourism Organisation represents the tourism board of the Caribbean Islands.

    At the Caribbean Tourism Organizations (CTO) Annual General Meeting (AGM), in Carlton House Terrace, London, Dein Gbabo, Business Development Manager, Akwaaba Travel Market made a presentation about the upcoming event in September to participants.

    The CTO members were very excited to explore the African market for the very first time this year, and will be using Akwaaba Travel market as a platform to shore up tourists from the continent and also showcase beautiful tourist’s’ site of the Caribbean Islands. The CTO’s participation at the Exhibitions was announced to partners as part of the Caribbean month’s events of 2019.

    The AGM had a good turnout of partners from British Airways, The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Antiga and Berbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Dominica, St Vincent’s and the grenadines, Tour operators, Influencers and DMC’s and also featured a panel discussion moderated by Jamie-Lee Abtar BDM CTO UK Chapter on the Topic: Under the Influence; Paving the way for Diversity in Travel. Great panel discussion on the use of influencers for destination marketing, diversity in marketing products to meet product specification and audience and creating experiences and cultural inclusion to travel.

  • Southwest won’t play second fiddle again, say Ooni, Fayemi’s aide

    OONI of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and Chief of Staff to Ekiti State Governor Mr. Biodun Omoleye have said the Southwest region will not play a second fiddle again in the country’s politics.

    They said in view of the unquantifiable contribution of the region in the country’s growth, it has no reason to allow itself to be schemed out of the country’s political configuration.

    The Ooni and Omoyele added that the zone stands the chance of regaining its frontline position, if it embraces unity and value reorientation.

    Oba Ogunwusi spoke at his palace in Ile- Ife, Osun State  yesterday when Omoleye  delivered  a lecture entitled:  “Enculturation of the Yoruba culture among youth: Implications on social reengineering  and good governance”, at a cultural programme organised by Yoruba Youth Council(YYC).

    Oba Ogunwusi said: “Yoruba has always been known for being a pacesetter since pre-independence days. So, we cannot take backseat; and to achieve this, we must be united and our youths must promote our cultural, economic and political values.”

    In Omoyele’s paper, the call for constitutional empowerment for the traditional rulers resonated.

    The Chief of Staff insisted that such policy would help in stabilising the country.

    Omoleye said the traditional rulers must be empowered to legally handle issues bothering on communal clashes, child abuse and local disputes that are causing distractions to government to decongest the conventional courts and reduce prison inmates.

    He reiterated the desperate need for the Yoruba youths to rise up and defend the Southwest region in Nigeria’s politics, saying the zone won’t submit to the idea of playing second fiddle again for it to remain relevant and be vibrant.

    The programme held at the palace of the Ooni of Ife also featured award presentation and honour for the prominent Yoruba traditional ruler.

    Omoleye, in his paper, said the emasculation of the traditional institutions by governments contributed to the high-level of instability of the country.

    “The traditional rulers should be empowered to handle cases relating to cultural differences, ranging from child abuse, matrimonial, communal differences and disputes.

    “This will decongest the conventional courts and reduce prison inmates. This will also stabilise the society rather than the punitive English legal system that we are currently practicing.”

    On politics, Omoleye added that the Yoruba youths must begin to pose as true ambassadors by joining the vanguard that would fight for the race to regain its rightful pride of place as people with integrity and rich cultural and political values.

    Omoleye added that Yoruba race could not afford to be relegated, having taken the lead since the 50s under the leadership of the former premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    “The first democratically elected government under the late Obafemi Awolowo ran the best civil service in Africa and established institutions that were the best in the continent.

    “The first television station in Ibadan was a product of Yoruba vision, the Liberty Stadium and of course, the University College Hospital, Ibadan was at a time the best medical centre in the entire Commonwealth.

    “With the personality like Oba Ogunwusi on the throne, hope has not been totally lost. This is a great time for reformation and restoration of Yoruba values and culture and our imperial Majesty is well-positioned to champion this course,” he said.

     

  • Ooni of Ife hosts 2Face Idibia, wife Annie

    The Ooni Of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has played host to Nigeria’s music icon, 2Face Idibia and his wife Annie, at his palace.

    The Ooni of Ife’s official Instagram page posted a video of the visit of 2Face Idibia and his wife on Wednesday, where the king expressed his pleasure over the visit.

    He went on to congratulate him on his award at the Obafemi Awolowo University.

    “A great pleasure receiving TuFace, the peace ambassador to the throne of Oduduwa and his adorable wifey, Annie Idibia.

    “I thank God for your giant strides in life so far, especially the fellowship award given to Tuface by the department of Music from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU); Congratulations!!!” he wrote.

    READ ALSO: 2face Idibia bags OAU’s honorary fellow award

    The Ooni also announced that he has given 2Face Idibia a new name ‘Tubobo’ which according to him was because of his never-aging look.

    “You are now also TuBobo; Annie, please don’t get angry about the new name I just gave your husband, it is because he looks much younger every passing day… I bid you greater successes in life. #OoniofIfe #Otisese,” he said.

    The 43 year-old Singer, who is also a songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur had earlier been conferred with the award of the Fellow of the school of music by the Department of Music, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.

    The music icon, who has stayed relevant in the Afro-pop scene for two decades and one of the most decorated and successful Afro pop artists in Africa was honoured at Igbinedion University in 2016.

    He is a recipient of several awards including five Headies Awards (Hip-hop award), four Channel O Music Awards, BET Award, MOBO Award, Kora Award, MTV Europe Music Award, World Music Award.

    He has released several albums including; Face 2 Face, Grass to Grace, The Unstoppable, Away and Beyond, The Ascension.

  • Former Ghanian President, Mahama, visits Ooni

    …Says Ife is root of African culture

    Former President of Ghana, Mr. John Mahama, on Thursday paid a courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ojaja II, in his Ile-Odua Palace in Ife.

    Mahama during the visit described the Ife kingdom as the root of the “rich African culture.”

    He said: “I am overwhelmed by the welcome I got and the current atmosphere since I stepped out of the car. The drums, dance, songs, dressing and others are indeed wonderful.

    “As a student of history, I have read and studied that Ile-Ife kingdom as the cradle of human race, and the kingdom occupies a high position in the global history.

    “I have come to return His Imperial Majesty’s visit to the Republic of Ghana two years ago, especially to encourage him in his efforts of unifying the African continent. I’m impressed, and I appreciate everything done in my honour.”

    Receiving the former Ghanian President and his team, the
    Ooni said that the African continent remains one big family, despite the boundaries between her countries and communities.

    The Arole Oduduwa said: “Before the advent of the Western civilization, there  were no boundaries between the African nations and communities We are one big family.

    “But it gladdens my heart that with committed individuals like President Mahama, we have remained that united big family working together for the progress of the African continent.”

    Accompanied by his beautiful queen, Olori Silekuola Naomi Ogunwusi, Ooni Ogunwusi who is a Co-Chairman of Nitional Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria prayed  for the former President.

    Oba Ogunwusi also called on the Isoros (Custodians of the 201 dieties of Ile Ife Kingdom), who jointly offered spiritual blessings to former President Mahama, lauding the former president for exhibiting humble and simplicity character.

    Read also: Ooni picks leading artistes to undertake Yoruba culture revival

    The foremost African monarch said: “When I was in Ghana to honour Mr. President two years ago, he was in power, to the glory of God, he displayed humility and simplicity.

    “He didn’t even wait for any aide to do anything for me. He did it by himself. He made tea and offered me by himself. There is no difference between when he was in power and when he was not. That’s humility and simplicity.”

    In 2016, the visiting former president of Ghana played host to Ooni Ogunwusi and his entourage when he was on a 5-day working visit to Ghana.

    The former Ghanaian leader was accompanied by his elder sister, Alhaja Sherifat Dundu, and her husband, Alhaji Bisi Dundu. Others are Chief Of Staff to the former president, Mr. Julius Debra, Alhaja Olusola Shodeinde, Prof. Jeleel Ojuade of the University of Ilorin and the Publisher of the Ovation Magazine, Bashorun Dele Momodu.

  • A peep at STYLISH ROYAL FATHERS

    WHETHER you know it or not, there is always a buzz around the style and fashion of kings, queens and royal families. This should not surprise anyone, considering that royalty is about culture, and culture, among other things, is essentially a manifestation of the style, fad and fashion peculiar to communities.

    On the international scene, the British monarch, her husband, children and grandchildren are regularly featured in the global media because the public takes a huge interest in what they wear. In Nigeria also, the public has a fascination with the style and fashion of Obas, Emirs and Igwes, particularly those that are ranked in the First Class.

    Some of these traditional rulers are known for their distinct styles, looks and wear. In recent times, some traditional rulers in the Southwest have become synonymous with cultural glamour in the way they dress and arrange their court when travelling.

    These monarchs, mostly young, stylish, classy and glamorous, rock their royal garbs in unique ways.

    OONI: Style-wise, the Ooni of Ife is a big fan of white fabrics, sometimes with sequins and frills. Tall and handsome, he is always a stately and imposing figure in his embellished robes and his very traditional buba and sokoto.

    Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is a forward-thinking and thoroughly modern king, who manages to combine modern views with his thoroughly cultural approach to life with regal aplomb. His presence is easily imposing with his dressing and mega-watt smile.

    OLUWO: The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, regularly represents his heritage and country with unique and exotic African fabrics and labels. He has refined his style without breaking royal protocol.

    The Oluwo’s style is more contemporary than most other royals. While he also does a bit of western casual dressing, it is his traditional attire that really have the wow factor.

    OBA ELEGUSHI: His Royal Majesty, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, has never been one to put a foot wrong in the style stakes. Undoubtedly one of the most glamorous royals in Nigeria, his style has evolved over the years, switching from conservative western dress to more fashion-forward traditional attires.