The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi

  • How to stop Nigerian youths from flocking to LIBYA

    How to stop Nigerian youths from flocking to LIBYA

    Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) is a foremost legal practitioner in Nigeria who has been practising the profession for the past 42 years. Apart from excelling in his chosen profession, Olanipekun is also renowned for philanthropy as he has come to the rescue of many individuals and institutions with his milk of human kindness. He was at his hometown, Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State, at the weekend to witness the inauguration of the town’s Hall of Fame, which was performed by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. Olanipekun spoke with reporters on the project, community development efforts, his desire that the town produces the next Ekiti State governor, the slavery of Nigerian youths in Libya, among others. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA recorded the conversation.

    What is your take on the commissioning of the new Ikere Hall of Fame at the palace of the Ogoga today?

    The Hall of Fame was constructed to celebrate achievements of Ikere indigenes all over the world where their pictures and exploits will be showcased for generations to come. Ikere has produced not less than 86 university professors and other accomplished individuals, enjoining indigenes to rally round their monarch to develop their hometown. When I was young about 60 years ago, my mother used to take me along to this palace here and I never remember an Ooni coming to Ikere to honour us as you (Ooni) have done today. At that time, it was Oba Adegoriola that was on the throne and we used to go there to see a peacock at the palace grounds then. But our Kabiyesi who is on the throne now (Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado) single-handedly built a new ultramodern palace which has become a cynosure of all eyes and he motivated his friends to build an Administrative Block and now the Hall of Fame in this palace. I urged all Ikere sons and daughters to support our king. No more rancour, no more disunity and no more acrimony. When I am doing these things, I believe I am doing them for the community I have seen a lot about Nigeria. Most of us, you saw it I Lagos, you journalists interview us; we are known in Lagos, we are known in Abuja. But there is no connectivity between us and our hometown, there is no contiguity. How much more of connectivity, how much more of nexus?

    To me, charity begins at home; you are journalists, you are talking about Ilorin. When I was in Ilorin, everybody knew that I was from Ikere but I am now in Lagos; everybody knows that it is my hometown. If you think you are not a good person at home, there is no way you can be championing the cause of transformation of your place of birth. Being the Asiwaju of the town, I need to rally everybody together to ensure that our hometown moves forward and develops. I believe that is a duty we owe our people because there is no place like home.

    Indigenes of the town are clamouring that Ikere is ripe for a university and since the monarch, Oba Adejimi Adu, ascended the throne, that is what the people have been clamouring for. As the Asiwaju of the town, what are you doing to ensure that, that dream becomes a reality?

    Ikere used to have a university, The University of Education, Ikere (TUNEDIK) which the then governor, ‘voluntarily’, submitted the licence. We didn’t like what he did and that is one area former Governor Segun Oni and I disagreed despite the fact that we are very close. That is a bygone and let bygones be bygones. Having a university is good, it’s a good idea; a committee has been set up and the committee is working but people are thinking that I, Wole Olanipekun, because my senior colleague, respected colleague, the Oluomo of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Afe Babalola, has a university maybe, I should also establish a university. I have told them, that I commend Chief Afe Babalola for establishing a university but everybody has his own assignment; everybody has got his own ministry. Don’t say because Mr A has done this, Mr B will also do the same. Don’t also succumb to any pressure from people. People are claamouring that, Wole Olanipekun, come and establish a university. But if I have the means, I will love to do so but it is not one of my objectives. When I was a Pro- Chancellor, I tried to do some things here and there and there are other things that I have done and that I am still doing, touching lives and impacting on people positively without necessarily establishing a university. But frankly speaking, I don’t even have the means, I don’t just have the means and even if I have the means, I don’t think I have the ability.

    I have ability for other things but let me commend Chief Afe Babalola for running a university; running a university is not a picnic, establishing a university and running it is not easy. I have been Pro- Chancellor and now Pro-Chancellor again at the second university and I know what it means. Despite the fact that the University of Ibadan was established in 1948; as at today, the university still has a lot of teething problems. A university that was established almost 70 years ago still has teething problems and funding is not that easy.

    The gestation period of a university, for me, is not a question of 10 years; It is not a question of 20 years. If you don’t have the means, if you don’t have the resources and what will sustain that university in five years time and even after that time, there will be problems. I don’t have that type of resources; notwithstanding I commend Nigerians like Chief Afe Babalola who have the means, who have the patience, who have the ability, who have the comportment and who have the patience to run private universities. For Ikere, I am supporting the committee, not that I will take over the enterprise as Wole Olanipekun. I give you another example; at Ajayi Crowther University (where I now serve as Pro-Chancellor), is an Anglican University, there is no subvention.

    What we are doing is to call on Anglicans who have the means, come and subscribe to the running of the university without you taking any dividend for now. We are calling on them to come and execute legacy projects, legacy enterprises and I am going to be part of it. For that of Ikere, I will be part of it.

    Looking at the way Nigerians are being treated abroad in places like South Africa, China and now Libya where they are being inhumanly treated. Do you think government is doing enough to protect them?

    It’s shame you know, you know what people went through during the slave trade. At this period of human involvement, Nigerians still travel abroad, the routes that our people take. Very tortuous, very winding, very dangerous, very daring; they don’t even mind if the ship they are travelling in capsizes. Why are they leaving? Some people just believe that ‘let me leave Nigeria,’ but when you ask ‘why are you leaving Nigeria?’ They believe the Golden Fleece is somewhere else and that the greener pasture is somewhere else, outside Nigeria. Even at Cotonou, even at Cameroun, even in Niger republic, even in Chad Republic, why? I pity our young people; when we left school, when I left the University of Lagos in 1975, despite the fact that I still had one year to go to the Law School compulsorily, as a law graduate without going to the Law School, I had not less than five job offers and when I left the Law School, I still remember, I had appointment letters to be a state counsel at Akure at the Ministry of Justice. I had at Federal Ministry of Justice. I had at the Police. I had with the Customs. I had with the Immigration. I was appointed to be the pioneer Secretary of the Odua Conglomerate, amongst others, but I chose to go into private law practice. When I was in school as a student, from this Ikere, I was living like a king at the University of Lagos. I was in Mariere Hall; when I was staying there, we labelled it Ikoyi, I was a student union leader, my parents weren’t that rich but (Gen. Adeyinka) Adebayo was giving every student from the old Western State £100 as bursary.

    At the same time, I still remember that you will be given a loan at Aguda in Surulere, you will sign that you are going to pay, nobody will ask you after you leave school. This was to encourage us; they were giving us a loan, the Federal Government made up its mind that they would not ask anybody. I doubt if anybody paid a dime, nobody asked me anyway; even as a student from a relatively poor home, from an average home, very average, I was travelling abroad. But today, nobody sympathises with our youths. Look, when you look at a lot of people that are here now, somebody was whispering to me as I wanted to eat because I had my first meal for the day just now; as I was about entering, one lady said Sir, Asiwaju, I have just completed my PhD. When I entered the hall, this chapel, another one came and said ‘for the past two years, I have completed my PhD, I don’t have anything.’ Most of the parents who came here, despite the fact that they have all been refreshed, they came here to whisper to me that their children, their wards, they don’t have anything to do. This is my own nephew, he is taking to this job (camera man) now because he is a graduate of a polytechnic for the past five, six years, nothing for him to do. I had to set him up to go and do this.

    Now, you can see the fate or can I say ill-fate of the youths nowadays? Those of us who are privileged, we are selfish, we are greedy, we are not considerate. Those of us who are successful, we are leaving everything to government and we are not pleading with government, ‘let us consider what is happening to our youths.’ They are miserable; that is the word, miserable. When you say okay, there is no hope of tomorrow, that is what is pushing many of them to Libya. Libya, for goodness sake, what is in Libya that a Nigerian will want to go to? Libya had just passed through the dictatorship of Muammar Ghaddafi, what is there? No freedom, nothing. But they believe that anywhere else will do except Nigeria and we are all bemoaning the dehumanizing nature of our own people there.

    How can we stop it? We are not saying that these people should not escape to Libya tomorrow; don’t go to Cote d’Ivoire next week, nobody can do that. Let us create employment opportunities, employment opportunities can be created in diverse ways. Government can encourage middle scale or small scale enterprises for our youths. But nobody is saying this, we deceive ourselves. We also have another problem in Nigeria, which is the Federal Government. The Federal Government does not allow the private sector to blossom; when the private sector blossoms and does well, when the private sector employs and yields dividends, you don’t think so much about the private sector. How do I mean? How many people does the government of the United States employ? How many people? Few but we hear (President Donald) Trump, one thing he parrots is that we have been able to create so…so number of employment. When he was sworn in, he was trying to create employment, not within the federal bureaucracy but creating employment in the private sector.

    Don’t muzzle the private sector; that is what is happening here, the private sector is being muzzled. That is why the private sector in Nigeria is getting stunted and when the private sector is not complementing what the public sector is doing, then we have a problem. I am not a unionist, I don’t know how to classify the Nigerian economy, an economy that is zeroed in on federal budget, an economy that is so monolithic, an economy that is so narrow, so personalised. For you now, you cannot do your business if the President has not signed the budget; your own success as a private entrepreneur would depend on the success of the implementation or the otherwise of the budget. You see the members of the National Assembly saying that the 2017 Budget, the performance level, has been about 20 per cent. Everything will dovetail negatively and impact negatively on the private sector and will also affect the ability of the private sector to employ people.

    But the summary of it is this; if we don’t take care of our youths, if you don’t sympathise with them, if you don’t empathise with them and you don’t create employment for them, you are directly or indirectly, advertently or inadvertently, planting a revolution for the future. Because when you have people, lawyers, doctors, accountants, all of them graduates without gainful employment, then that is a recipe for revolution. That is why they go to Libya; that is why they go to Cameroun; they go everywhere to escape from Nigeria.

  • Peace, unity germane to Nigeria’s progress – Osinbajo

    Peace, unity germane to Nigeria’s progress – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has advised Nigerians against breaking the bond of unity and peace existing in the country.

    Osinbajo gave the advice in Uyo on Saturday at a grand ceremony organised by the Akwa Ibom government to mark the 30th anniversary of the creation of the state.

    The vice president, who is on a two-day working visit to the state, urged the people to resist attempts by any group trying to push them to destroy the existing peace in the country.

    “Peace is the foundation of enduring prosperity and for peace to reign everywhere in Nigeria, all of us as Nigerians must make necessary sacrifices.

    “We are in a situation where we must take seriously the admonition to love one another.

    “Whatever complaints we may have must not be an excuse to subvert the social order,” Osinbajo said.

    He assured Nigerians that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is ever ready to listen to all genuine complaints from any group.

    “The Buhari government is prepared to engage and listen patiently to all sections of the country.

    “But you as individuals also have a major role to play.

    “Citizens everywhere should not sit idle when misguided elements choose to recklessly destroy the common bond of brotherhood and friendship that has put us together for decades,” Osinbajo said.

    The vice president, who was the special guest of honour at the event, praised Gov. Udom Emmanuel for his visionary leadership in the state.

    He descibed Akwa Ibom as a state with great history, which creation 30 years ago started with the agitation by Ibibio State Union for the creation of COR state.

    He stated that Akwa Ibom is one of the fastest growing states in the country.

    He assured that the Federal Government would support the state to develop the Ibaka seaport.

    “Provisions have been made in the current budget of Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) for the development of the Ibaka  Deep Seaport,” he said.

    Earlier, Gov. Emmanuel had expressed appreciation to former military President Ibrahim Babangida for creating Akwa Ibom State on Sept. 23, 1987.

    Emmanuel also acknowledged the efforts made by the former governors of the state made to lay a solid foundation laid for its growth.

    “The bush paths had become highways, our villages had turned into metropolis, I am here to consolidate on the achievements of all the past leaders,” Emmanuel said.

    He said that the creation of the state was  a divine plan.

    Emmanuel, therefore, urged the people of Akwa Ibom to unite for the development of the state irrespective of  their ethnic and political differences.

    Speaking on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, the Ekiti Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, congratulated the Akwa Ibom people for the unity among them.

    He also congratulated Gov. Emmanuel for the laudable projects he initiated toward the economic development of the state.

    Fayose said that the governor deserved a second term.

    In his speech on behalf of National Assembly members from Akwa Ibom, the Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, said that the strength of Nigeria depended on its large population.

    “We in the National Assembly will not support division, we stand for one Nigeria. We will not support disintegration,” Akpabio said.

    Akpabio, who is the immediate past governor of the state, said that the Akwa Ibom people were praying that the will of God to be done in Nigeria.

    He commended Gov. Emmanuel for laying foundation for the industrialisation of the state.

    Speaking on behalf of former governors of Akwa Ibom, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd), noted that a lot of positive things had happened in Akwa Ibom since its creation.

    Nkanga, who was the third military administrator and first indigenous governor, called on the Federal Government to restructure Nigeria based on true federalism.

    He lauded Gov. Emmanuel for putting in place structures aimed at speeding up industrialisation of the state.

    Many dignitaries including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and the former governor of Akwa Ibom, Obong Victor Attah were at the event.

  • Health Minister warns of consequences of uncontrolled population growth

    Health Minister warns of consequences of uncontrolled population growth

    Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has warned of dire consequence of the country’s growing population rate.

    Adewole stressed that if the country fails to do anything about it now, by 2050 Nigeria will be the third largest country in the world.

    Nigeria currently ranked 10th in the world, with about 180 million people.

    Adewole who spoke at the 5th National Family Planning stakeholders consultative meeting in Abuja yesterday said the country cannot afford an over bloated population.

    While stressing that the country is very unique with a massive population of about 180 million people, the minister said unfortunately, the population demography is disturbing as the country is producing more consumers than producers. This country he stressed must change the tide.

    He said: “If we do nothing by 2050 Nigeria will be the third largest country in the world. We cannot afford that.

    “The land mass of Nigeria is just a little bit bigger than Texas, and so you can imagine as of now we are tenth in the world, our population will then Increase third and yet the land size is not increasing and think that will explain the type of challenges we are facing. We must do something.”

    While noting that Indonesia has achieved dramatic reduction in fertility growth, still we have not done so much in Nigeria.

    While noting that the government would want to see an average of four children per family, he however said that most men want more children.

    “We would want to see an average of about four, but what is worrisome, I have said it severally, is that Nigerian men want more children, not even the women who carry the pregnancy,” he said.
    Jokingly,  the minister suggested that may be for once, may be men should even let the men be made to carry the pregnancy; adding, “Carrying this load that they cannot even bring down for one minute for nine months, then their fertility desire will drop drastically.”

    This notwithstanding, he said the government has a clear statement that the country must adopt a strategic approach in population management.

    He said, “One of the quick fixes to maternal and child mortality is to adopt family planning in an aggressive manner.  Would eliminate a third of maternal mortality by adopting aggressive family planning Strategy. And when the mother survives, the child is very likely to survive.”
    The country he also said “must increase contraceptive prevalent and we must increase end users and improve service provider capacity and make sure that ensure we don’t have stockout.

    “Not only that we must really offer people a variety of options. One of the reasons why people really don’t embrace family planning is that there is not really many options available and the health provider must be less judgmental. We must educate our health providers,” he said.

    On the 2018 budget, he said what we are asking for is that health budget be increased to 8% from the current 4 percent and hopefully in two to three years’ time we get to 15% in line with the Africa declaration.

    He also assured the gathering that the country will do something different to move forward.
    Quoting late professor Babatunde Oshotimehin, he said “we head towards demographic disaster or dividend. And I think we all agree that we move towards dividend.

    He also noted that health is part of the economic recovery plan, stressing that “It is critical to have an effective population management strategy and enhance opportunity for all Nigerians. It is now left for us to say what is going to be that effective population management strategy.
    “We need to reduce the number of babies if that boat will move faster. We rather have more men or women than babies.”

    The royal fathers in attendance including Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi said the issue of family plunging must be taking seriously. He called for implementation of programmes, as he stressed that it is beyond just talking.

    Oba Ogunwusi warned that population growth not planned will become a liability.

    Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar on his part said no religion support uncontrolled birth.

    Sultan who was represented by Emir of Jiwa, Alhaji Idris Musa said the country must move fast to put the growing population under control.

  • Ooni charges Muslims, others to consider the less privileged

    Ooni charges Muslims, others to consider the less privileged

    As Muslim faithful across the world celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has appealed to Muslim faithful and people in authority to be generous to the less privileged.

    Ooni gave the charge when some Muslim faithful paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun, on Friday.

    The traditional ruler used the opportunity to urge Muslims to emulate Prophet Mohammed in their dealings in society, while also calling on other Nigerians to maintain peace and harmony in the society.

    He warned youths against hate speeches, saying they could disrupt the development of the nation, rather than make positive changes.

    Ooni particularly admonished those in authority to always remember their followers and cater for them as doing this would lead the country to progress.

    Earlier, the Chief Imam of Ifeland, Alhaji AbdulHammed AbdulSemiu, had advised Muslims to always fulfill their promises to God, children, friends and families.

    AbdulSemiu advised them to be totally loyal to Allah as a mark of true followership.

    He also advised children to obey their parents so as to live fulfilled lives.

  • Royal Breakup: We have to stop culture of shaming, vilifying women – Wuraola

    Royal Breakup: We have to stop culture of shaming, vilifying women – Wuraola

    Has the 17-month-old marriage between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and his wife, Olori Wuraola, ended? The royal lady says ‘yes’; it’s all over. BISI OLADELE highlights some major events at which the duo shone like mega stars in the short marital voyage.

    It had been in the rumour mill for some time. But yesterday a post on the official Instagram page @hhzynab of Olori Wuraola, the estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi confirmed it all.

    Her marriage to the foremost monarch has crashed.

    When the royal father married Zaynab Otiti at a lavish traditional ceremony on March 13, last year, the marriage sealed the breakdown of his marital relationship with Adebukola, with whom he tied the nuptial knot 10 years earlier. The two marriages did not produce children.

    Seventeen months down the line in the palace of the Ooni, Zaynab, whom Oba Ogunwusi renamed Wuraola (Yeyeluwa of Ife) shortly after the royal marriage, took to the social media yesterday, putting paid to suspicions that all was not well with her marriage.

    Zaynab was clear in her message as she wrote:

    “We have got to stop this culture of shaming and vilifying women with false stories of infidelity and nefarious behaviour. The spreading of false information (through ‘sources’ afraid to be identified) is the mark of cowards and a cover-up for guilty parties to justify their horrific actions. There is absolutely no truth to the media circulated lies of infidelity and infertility- on my end.

    “What I can confirm, is that the Ooni and I are no more. I inhale love and exhale gratitude. My journey continues as a humanitarian aiding women and victims of domestic violence and abuse with the United Nations. No matter how much time you’ve invested, no matter the use of media to silence and manipulate, no matter the circumstance, slander, embarrassment, threats and lies: Get out and seek immediate help!

    “We’ve seen this movie before. Women being dragged in the press and blamed for everything under the sun. This behavior is unacceptable. I urge those involved to be mindful of their actions for the eyes of our Almighty God are always watching. The seed of slander is a cancer that harvests to eat away the souls of the planter.

    “The throne is sacred and the attempts to tarnish the name of a queen, in defense, or on behalf of a silent king, makes all involved look terrible. Remain dignified in all you do. It’s not the end of the world, but the start of a new chapter and you must turn the page with grace. The world is watching.

    “As I bid adieu to this chapter, my wish to you all is to step into your lives – boldly and fearlessly, the way God intended and live not just by words, but through example. The best chapter in our lives is the one we are writing now. Thank you for your love and support.

    With peace, love and light, – Her Highness, Zaynab Otiti Obanor.”

    The 17-month old journey was not uneventful as the duo lived in glamour and royal splendour – within and outside the country.

    Royalty swelled all around them as they graced public functions and social events. They made impressive representation of the Yoruba culture and heritage at cultural events across the world.

    It started with their appearance at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu 64th Birthday Colloquium in Abuja, on March 29, 2016. But the couple was first hosted to a royal dinner by a popular politician, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    As they disembarked from the airplane at the Abuja Airport along with their aides, they were ushered into a waiting Limousine which was accompanied by two executive Mercedes Benz, four Land Cruiser Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and a couple of escort patrol vans, which cruised smoothly into the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. The new couple was welcomed by a crowd of Yoruba sons and daughters, who were on hand to catch a glimpse of the new phenomenal royal couple, particularly Olori Wuraola, who had just come into the top Ile-Ife royal family. Then, they paid homage to the foremost Yoruba monarch and his queen.

    Oba Ogunwusi and ‘Olori Wuraola’

    In April and May last year, Yeyeluwa was the cynosure of all eyes at the Osaara and Olokun festivals in Ile-Ife. Always donning wine or red royal costumes, including coral beads to match her husband’s all-white costumes, her beauty and cool mien were sources of attraction to guests and admirers.

    Also on May 22, Olori Wuraola was the centre of attraction at the award ceremony where Ooni was received the award of the Extraordinary Ambassador of Peace by the Methodist Church, Nigeria. The event which was held at the Cathedral Church of Methodist, Nigeria in Oyo, also had the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola (Adeyemi III) in attendance.

    In June, last year, Oba Ogunwusi and his queen stormed the United States of America (USA) like African mega stars. From New York to New Jersey and several other cities, Olori Wuraola glittered in her royal apparels that revealed her beauty and excellence. Oba Ogunwusi drew a standing ovation from Pennsylvania state legislators he addressed. Olori Wuraola complemented the glamour of his entourage. She was the one many Americans warmed up to for banters and cordiality.

    Earlier this year, the couple was in the United Kingdom (UK) during which they visited the British Museum and addressed the Commonwealth Assembly. As many white and Black British academics and researchers met with Oba Ogunwusi, his Olori was never far from him, donning either her red or white royal apparels to add colour to their visit.

    Also in May, the Yeyeluwa stepped out in a sparkling white outfit with white royal costume to celebrate the Olokun Festival with her husband. She called for promotion of cultural festivals to serve boost local tourism.

    The Ooni and his wife were also in Canada last month. They met with the Nigerian High Commission leaders, Members of Parliament (MPs), Nigerian-Canadian Association and members of the Yoruba community in Canada.

    They also visited the Canadian Museum of History and attended the Canada-Nigeria Cultural and Business Fair. Olori Wuraola was right by her husband, shaking hands with the who-is-who in the North American country.

    With yesterday’s post by the Olori, it is unclear what the future holds for the 17-month-old union between Oba Ogunwusi and the Benin, Edo State born queen.

    Many are still shocked, wondering what went wrong shortly after returning from Canada.

  • Ooni appoints Princess Ronke Ademiluyi as Ambassador

    Ooni appoints Princess Ronke Ademiluyi as Ambassador

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has appointed Princess Ronke Ademiluyi as the Heritage Ambassador for Queen Moremi Legacy as part of his efforts to add value to the Yoruba culture .

    Oba Ogunwusi  in a copy of the letter made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos said that Ademiluyi was appointed  the official representative of Moremi, the African Heroine, having been at the forefront of promoting the African culture for years.

    “Ademiluyi, founder of Africa Fashion Week, London and Nigeria, you are  appointed in recognition of your  efforts in promoting the largest international gathering that celebrated African fashion,“ he said.

    The traditional ruler said that by the appointment, Ademiluyi was expected to develop sustainable avenues that would boost the legacies of Queen Moremi.

    “The African promoter’s responsibility is to seek strategic partnerships and collaborations and also generate and design activities that will promote and sustain the iconic Legacies of Moremi.

    ” We need to reawaken the legacy of the impact of the traditional icon which was trying to go into extinction if not salvaged,” the Oba said.

    Ogunwusi noted that Queen Moremi remains an indelible new dawn of great awakening for the development of the Yorùbá culture.

    Ademiluyi reacting to the appointment told NAN that the engagement was very central to the mission of Oba Ogunwusi ‘s  global reenactment of the Yorùbá culture.

    Ademiluyi added that the appointment had tasked her to set out a roadmap on how this vision would be delivered and also build passions of amazing heroism.

    She noted that the statute of Queen Moremi was currently, the third tallest in Africa.

    The lawyer noted that promoting African culture and Yorùbá in particular through fashion dispensed Africa originality and creativity to global stage.

    She said that her initiative as the Ambassador of Queen Móremí would focus on the re-launch of second edition of Moremi beauty pageant to be known as the “Queen Móremí International”.

    “In actualisation of this great commission which Oba Ogunwusi  has entrusted to me, I have resolved to bring together an array of stakeholders globally to support the preservation of Queen Móremí’s  name and what she stood for while alive.

    “I will protect Queen Móremí’s 12th Century iconic legacy as a contemporary torch bearer of Yorùbá culture and heritage globally,” she said.

    According to her, the Queen Moremi pageant, launched in October 2016 in Ile Ife,Osun, produced Blessing Animasahun as the maiden queen who is the cultural aide to the Ooni both locally and internationally.

    She said that the second contest would be holding in October in Ile Ife which would be her first task as the Ambassador of Queen Moremi Legacy.

    Ademiluyi noted that the queen had become the new Amazon of Queen Moremi for her great courage, boldness and sacrifice which she did for her people in her lifetime.

    “The indelible and heroic legacies of Queen Moremi will continue to endure in the chronicles of both Yorùbá and world histories.’’

    Ademiluyi said she would bring up initiatives towards the age-long sustenance of Queen Móremí legacies, that would encourage our females emulate her bravery.

    She also said that women needed to make themselves available for challenging roles in modern society, adding that Moremi’s personality remained unique in the world and would continue to remain an important point of reference.

    Ademiluyi recalled that Moremi Ajasoro was a brave and pretty queen, who in order to solve the problems facing her people, sacrificed anything she had to  the spirit of “Esimirin’’ River on behalf of the Oodua race.

    She said that Moremi’s sacrifice then  helped her to discover the strength of the enemies of the Oodua people and led to the Oodua warriors to conquer them during her lifetime, she .

    “She was a heroine, who liberated the people of Oodua land from faceless invaders who sought to enslave them,’’ she said at the forefront of promoting African culture,’’ she said.

  • Ooni expresses shock over Osotimehin’s death

    Ooni expresses shock over Osotimehin’s death

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has expressed shock over the death of the Executive Director of United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA),  Prof.  Babatunde Osotimehin.

    A condolence message issued on Tuesday in Ile-Ife by Mr Moses Olafare, the Director of  Media and Public Affairs in the Ooni’s palace, described Osotimehin  as one of the greatest assets  of Africa.

    It recalled that the deceased  played host to  the Ooni  and his  delegation  on  June 13,  2016,   at his United Nation Population office in New York.

    Osotimehin   had expressly accepted the king’s request of his support and that of the United Nations to put an end to infant mortality.

    “His death is also painful because the palace and his office were already packaging some women empowerment programmes.

    “This is in  addition to what he had started with the Ooni to put an end to childbirth mortality cases not only in Yorubaland but the entire Africa.

    “He had served the world, he had served our continent, he had served our country and he had served our race too remarkably and indelibly to be forgotten.

    “May his gentle soul rest in the perfect peace of the almighty Olodumare,’’ it quoted the Ooni as saying.

    Osotimehin, a former Minister of Health,   died on Sunday in New York  at 68.

  • Govt can solve unemployment by investing more in textile/fashion industry – Awolowo

    Govt can solve unemployment by investing more in textile/fashion industry – Awolowo

    Mr Segun Awolowo, the Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), says government must invest more in the fashion/textile industry to solve the rate of  unemployment in the country.

    Awolowo said that the industry was a viable sector to invest in because the country is blessed with a vast land to cultivate cotton; the major raw material required by the fashion industry.

    He said these as the grand finale of the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN) 2017 held at the National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos.

    According to him, the country’s goal is to position the manufacturing industry as a viable sector for boosting the non-oil export sector so as to increase its economic growth.

    The NEPC boss said the government would be achieving this by investing in the textile industry that would serve as the spring board for the resuscitation of the fashion industry.

    Awolowo commended Ronke Ademiluyi, the founder of AFWN for initiating the fashion show that tends to promote African fabrics and designs.

    He advised the exhibitors and designers to improve on their present standards so that their products would be able to compete with their peers internationally.

    “ The fashion industry presents a great opportunity in boosting our country’s export globally.

    “The government recognises these potential in our fashion designers and exhibitors but they need to improve on the values and contents of their products.

    “ Ademiluyi has demonstrated that Nigerians will sustain this initiative in response to the government’s projection going by her activities,” he said.

    Also, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, advised the government to empower the country’s youths so that they could become self-reliant, self-dependent and self-sustaining.

    Oba Ogunwusi, the patron of AFWN, represented by Chief  Adebanjo Adetinu said that the government could achieve this by identifying and supporting  the creativity potential among youths.

    The traditional ruler said this was projected in the Africa fashion week programmes where fashion designers and exhibitors displayed their talents to the admiration of the guests and visitors.

    Ogunwusi, the grand patron of AFWN, said the artistic creativity of both the models and designers would fill up the vacuum created by unemployment among youths.

    “Such an innovation by Ronke Ademiluyi is filling the vacuum created by unemployment among our youths.

    “She only needs more sponsors to boost the project,” he said.

    Another community leader from Ife, Chief  Babatunde Adetokunbo, advised other fashion promoters to emulate AFWN by  celebrating and boosting the nation’s culture and tradition through their creativity.

    “Our culture is worth celebrating; we should be proud of it.

    “What Ronke is doing is worth emulating, we should display and celebrate our culture, it is unique and I am proud of it,” he said.

  • Ooni tasks govt on youth empowerment to reduce crime

    Ooni tasks govt on youth empowerment to reduce crime

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has urged government at level to provide employment opportunities for youth in the country as a way to reduce rising crime in the society.
    The imperial majesty stated this yesterday during a press conference to unveil Liquified Petroleum Gas, LPG and Compressed Natural Gas, CNG Gas  by Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association, NATA with THLD Logistics Ltd at the NATA’s House, Olomi, Academy in Ibadan.
    The king who was represented by two monarchs, the Agboolu of Agbaje in Ife, Oba Adekunle Adebowale and Elerefe of Erefe, Oba Fayemi Johnson, said providing employment opportunities like the conversion of vehicles using petrol and diesel to gas will save the country from capital flight therefore increasing GDP and keep youths busy.
    The King who is the Grand Patron of NATA and Chairman of THLD logistics Ltd, said the initiative was also brought to the fore to enhance safety and reduce cost of running the vehicle coupled with other comparative advantages over using of Petrol and diesel.
    Also speaking, the representative of the company, Mr. Greg Kielsa said LPG and CNG is economical, clean and save to use compare to Petrol and diesel adding that the company is waiting to convert more vehicles in the country. He also said that the company is ready to train automobile technicians which takes only two or three days.
    Corroborating him, the NATA National Vice President, South West Zone, Comrade Dele Odewale, said the initiative is a welcome development capable to make the country attain its economic prosperity if well harnessed.
    According to him, this will make transportation to be more easy and profitable while some of its comparative advantages is its tank that is made to enhance safety especially during hazard while many automobile workshops are now embracing it.
      An academician and politician, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun said the initiative is fantastic and if well supported, it will make transportation lucrative saying especially now the government’s attention is on transportation to promote economic development.
    He added “the initiative will reduce cost of production and make vehicles more durable. This as a result will help to create job and thus keep youths busy and enterprising and therefore reduce restiveness among youths.
    “Another benefit of the initiative is that it will make into use the excess gas that are wasting away and reduces users of petrol therefore brings about stability in consumption of oil and gas products”, he noted.

  • Ooni tasks govt on youth empowerment to reduce crime

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has urged government at level to provide employment opportunities for youth in the country as a way to reduce rising crime in the society.

    The imperial majesty stated this yesterday during a press conference to unveil Liquified Petroleum Gas, LPG and Compressed Natural Gas, CNG Gas  by Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association, NATA with THLD Logistics Ltd at the NATA’s House, Olomi, Academy in Ibadan.
    The king who was represented by two monarchs, the Agboolu of Agbaje in Ife, Oba Adekunle Adebowale and Elerefe of Erefe, Oba Fayemi Johnson, said providing employment opportunities like the conversion of vehicles using petrol and diesel to gas will save the country from capital flight therefore increasing GDP and keep youths busy.
    The King who is the Grand Patron of NATA and Chairman of THLD logistics Ltd, said the initiative was also brought to the fore to enhance safety and reduce cost of running the vehicle coupled with other comparative advantages over using of Petrol and diesel.
    Also speaking, the representative of the company, Mr. Greg Kielsa said LPG and CNG is economical, clean and save to use compare to Petrol and diesel adding that the company is waiting to convert more vehicles in the country. He also said that the company is ready to train automobile technicians which takes only two or three days.
    Corroborating him, the NATA National Vice President, South West Zone, Comrade Dele Odewale, said the initiative is a welcome development capable to make the country attain its economic prosperity if well harnessed.
    According to him, this will make transportation to be more easy and profitable while some of its comparative advantages is its tank that is made to enhance safety especially during hazard while many automobile workshops are now embracing it.
      An academician and politician, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun said the initiative is fantastic and if well supported, it will make transportation lucrative saying especially now the government’s attention is on transportation to promote economic development.
    He added “the initiative will reduce cost of production and make vehicles more durable. This as a result will help to create job and thus keep youths busy and enterprising and therefore reduce restiveness among youths.
    “Another benefit of the initiative is that it will make into use the excess gas that are wasting away and reduces users of petrol therefore brings about stability in consumption of oil and gas products”, he noted.