The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ooni of Ife

  • Ooni urges youths to support Buhari for better Nigeria

    The Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has urged Nigerian youths to support present Administration for betterment of the country.

    Oba Ogunwusi gave the advice during the visitation of Presidential Aspirant of Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) Party, Hon Fela Durotoye, on Thursday, in Ooni’s palace, Ile-Ife.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari, for prioritising youths vanguard, an exempliary good leader, that love youths and planning for their brighter future.

    “No wonder why the bill “Not too young to run” that would favour youths’ future was signed into law” he said.

    The Royal father charged the younger ones to come out to leadership position and support the elderly ones so as to take the country beyond.

    Ooni lauded the ANN Presidential Aspirant for being courageous enough to show up the interest to contest for the post, called him to orderliness as all eyes were set on him.

    “You have shown the value of the culture by taking the right step to pay homage to the first stool created by God, confirmed sitting on as ordained by God.

    “God is not a man that will lies, He has remained faithful from the inception of the world, saying that God has endowed the contestant with spirit of humility and should keep it up. he stated.

    Oba Ogunwusi eulogiesed youths to uphold the pillar of peace, love and unity of the country, saying this is the high time they need to gear up and fight for their future.

    “We are proud of you for your braveness to come out to contest for Presidential post at this time, am assure you that your name has been written on a platter of gold.

    “Nigeria youths had been sleeping before, but I believed your coming out will reawakening them from their slumbering, reiterate them for more commitment” he expressed.

    Ooni charged him to do his best and leave the rest for God, warned him against do or die poliical affairs, but to comport himself in a godly manner, saying God’s will is the best for him.

    Earlier, Hon Fela Durotoye, the ANN Presidential candidate, appreciated Ooni for his fatherly role being played since his assertion to the throne of his fore-fathers, by standing at the gap for the youths in all ramifications.

    Durotoye said that youths across the country and diaspora were proud of the royal father here and abroad for the growth and development brought to the lives of young and the aged.

    “We have learnt a lot from your exemplary leadership style which motivated me to contest for the post of President in other to deliver my colleagues from captivity” Contestant reaffirmed.

  • ‘Education is paramount for proper development in Nigeria’

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Babatunde Adeyeye, has said that education is a paramount need for proper development in Nigeria.

    The Monarch stated this during the 2.5billion naira endowment fund raiser of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun state.

    Speaking at the ceremony, the Ooni said that the future of Nigeria is in the glory of the youths and as such, hands need to be on deck to facilitate the access to quality education for all and sundry.

    He however called on Nigerians to contribute their quota to the development of education in the country.

    The University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sola Fajana, in addition, stated that, “education requires a tripartite function to develop more infrastructures and sustain the existing ones.”

    According to Fajana, JABU is set to move to her next phase of development and as such, the need for the endowment.

    The Chairman, JABU Endowment Committee and Chief Executive Officer, Mutual Benefit Assurance plc., Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi stated that the need for the 2.5billion endowment fund for the University came as a need to help place JABU at the peak in a bid to continue in her efficient service delivery of effective service and knowledge delivery.

    In his words “with the rise in number of private and public universities in the country, particularly in the south western Nigeria, competition for all staff and students has become very fierce”.

  • Don’t promote violence, Ooni warns politicians

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has warned politicians and party members against promoting political violence.

    The monarch gave the warning when Gov.  Rauf Aregbesola visited his palace on Monday in Ile-Ife.

    Ogunwusi said politicians must work together in harmony, warning them to refrain from promoting acts that could disrupt peace and order in the country.

    The traditional ruler also assured the governor that the prevailing peace in Ile-Ife would be sustained to promote the development of the community.

    He commended the governor for his efforts in promoting the development of infrastructure in the state.

    The monarch, however, called on the governor to come to the aid of the youths and ensure their empowerment.

    He further called for the rehabilitation of roads in the community,  saying good roads remain  tools for  socio-economic development and growth.

    Earlier, Aregbesola had acknowledged the efforts of the monarch in maintaining peaceful co-existence among traditional rulers across the country.

    The governor assured the monarch of his commitment to the delivery of the dividends of democracy to the people of the area.

    NAN

     

     

  • Art patron, Ooni of Ife heightens art worth at The Content Show

    The royal knowledge was greatly felt in Ikeja, Lagos in art appreciation when Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi opened The Content-Spring Edition Exhibition. The exhibition was said to be the third of its kind. Leading people round the exhibition stand was coordinated by the organizer, Mrs. Modupe Ogunlesi and curator, Lekan Onabanjo at Adam & Eve, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The Ooni demonstrated that he has an understanding of art as on each of the eight exhibition artists works, Oba Adeyeye reviewed what he saw on the walls. Master colourists at The Content Spring Show include Tunde Soyinka, Tayo Adenaike, Olu Ajayi Victor Obasuyi, Ini Brown among others.

    The King also commended the organizers for providing space and opportunity for the exhibition. On the enhibition artists, he urged then to keep the spirit of art and culture alive in promoting Nigeria’s tourism potentials. The third of the exhibitions, in one year titled The Content-Spring Edition continued till April 30.

    The content was begun last year by Ogunlesi to shift art attention from the Island to the Mainland area of Lagos. Considering that Ikeja is the capital of Lagos State , the idea became very important so that more people will see and patronise the art in this part of the state.

    So far so good. A lot of new art patrons have shown interest in the exhibitions shown at Adam and Eve. Ogunlesi is happy however, that her experiment is working as more people now visit her place for the purpose of buying the art.

     

  • Ambode, Ooni of Ife, others for ‘My Heritage My Pride’, Sisi Oge 2018

     

    All is now set for the 11th edition of the Annual most exclusive cultural event “My Heritage, My Pride & Sisi Oge”, Africa’s biggest most exclusive Cross-cultural Event & Award Festival

    The Awards, a brain child of Heritage Solutions, will hold at the Federal Palace Hotel, (Balmoral Convention Centre) Victoria Island, Lagos, on Sunday, April 15, 2018.

    Chief Host of the event and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode will lead other top dignitaries including Royal Father of the Day, His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife; Special Guest of Honour and Executive Governor of Imo State Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha; Chief Mrs. Nike Okundaye and a host of members of the Diplomatic Corp and Ambassadors.

    Convener of the event, Mr. Idris Aregbe said this year’s edition would be bigger and better than the 10th Anniversary held last year.

    He said the event would feature series of varieties that would see the amalgamation of cultures from the continents of Africa, Asia, Americas and Europe, which according to him would be an exciting memory of a lifetime!

    “It’s time to brace up for an unprecedented, awesome experience, as we bring you mind-blowing cross-cultural line up events from: Awards, Art Exhibition, Fashion Show, Music, Dance Drama, Cultural Pageant and Festival,” he said.

    Aregbe said awardees for this year’s edition would include several local and international personalities who have distinguished themselves and have become a force to reckon with across Africa.

    He said the highlight of the event would also be star performances by local and international guests who will thrill guests at the ceremony.

    He said unlike the previous 10 editions held at the Civic Centre, this year’s edition would hold at the Federal Palace Hotel Balmoral Convention centre to accommodate the anticipated large turnout.

    The Heritage Solution Awards and My Heritage My Pride is powered by No. 1 Heritage Solutions and is proudly supported by the Lagos State Government, Our Lagos Your Lagos.

     

  • Elder slams Olowu’s attacks on Ooni

    Elder slams Olowu’s attacks on Ooni

    An elder statesman and Obanla of Iwo in Osun State, High Chief Abiola Ogundokun, has condemned attacks on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, by the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi.

    In a statement at the weekend in Osogbo, the capital, Ogundokun said it was unbecoming of a ruler of Oluwo’s status to disparage and abuse the Ooni on the Internet, television and newspapers

    Ogundokun said: “I plead with kabiyesi, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, as a father and senior king to Oluwo, to swallow all the falsehood and attacks being made against him by Oluwo on the social media, television and newspapers in the past one and a half years.”

    Referring to a meeting of the National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria (NTRCN) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, where the Oluwo reportedly accused the Ooni’s security detail of pushing him (the Oluwo) out of the way for Oba Ogunwusi to do the vote of thanks, Ogundokun said the Oluwo should be cautioned for alleged falsehood.

    The high chief cited an instance where the Oluwo said he had superior claims to the stool of Ooni of Ife because he is a direct son of Luwo before he was scolded and stopped by Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.

    Ogundokun urged the Oluwo to be royal and disciplined.

    The high chief said the monarch should stop disgracing Iwo royal stool, adding that Iwo indigenes are courteous and hospitable.

  • Ooni of Ife appoints filmmaker Dotun Taylor as cultural ambassador

    Ooni of Ife appoints filmmaker Dotun Taylor as cultural ambassador

    The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has proclaimed popular voice over artiste cum filmmaker, Dotun Taylor, as a Yoruba Cultural Ambassador.

    Taylor, who is also the brain behind many contemporary music videos, would be joined in the new assignment by Morounranti Ashabi Alebiosu, a cultural enthusiast and former Senior Special Assistant to former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State on Tourism and Inter-Governmental Relations.

    At a brief event to commemorate the unveiling of the ambassadors last Tuesday at the Enuwa Palace of the Ooni in Ile-Ife, Osun State, the Ooni said the duo has proven to be selfless individuals who have protected the Yoruba culture, tradition and heritage. He enjoined the honourees to handle the role with utmost care and protect the integrity that comes along with the office.

    The Ooni also used the occasion to unveil the Yoruba Cultural Festival project, a Roots and Heritage Renaissance Culture Initiative (RHRCI) concept in partnership with P.S-100 Limited, a social initiative agenda to re-awaken the minds of Yoruba people at home and in the Diaspora with Brazil, Haiti, Cuba etc participating.

    Primed to be an annual event to showcase the rich culture and tradition of the Yoruba, the festival holds at the sprawling Ife Grand Resort in the second quarter of the year.

  • Ooni of Ife preaches national peace, unity in 2018

    Ooni of Ife preaches national peace, unity in 2018

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, has called for national peace, unity and tranquility, saying they are pillars with the capacity to strengthen Nigeria’s bid for socio-economic development.

    Oba Ogunwusi stated this in Ile-Ife on Saturday while speaking at the Grand-finale of a New Year Prayer Programme organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ife Chapter.

    He acknowledged the goodness of God for the gift of life and the opportunity to witness the day.

    He also urged Christians to let their thanksgiving supersede their requests from God.

    “He is the Almighty King of Kings that spares our lives throughout 2017 till date, despite all challenges facing each and every one of us” he said.

    “There is nothing we can offer Him than to give Him all our praises throughout the days of our lives.

    “Only God is worthy of our praise, who can questioned God, if we all have been buried,” he said.

    The royal father called on Christians to always pray for peaceful coexistence before, during and after the forthcoming elections across the state and the entire country.

    He advised them to support the present administration in its efforts to make the country a better place for businesses to thrive and for peace to reign.

    Ogunwusi counselled the youths to shun violence and to work assiduously for a brighter future.

    Preaching earlier on the topic: `God of host is a consuming fire’, Pastor Samuel Akinsulure, the Christ Apostolic Church, (CAC) Ife District Coordinating Council (DCC), told the congregation that God will fight the battles of their lives, town, state and country as a whole this year.

    He, however, urged Christians to abstain from all forms of immoral activity and rededicate themselves to service to God.

    He further urged them to prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ, adding that only those, who believed in His resurrection, would be saved.

    Also, Dr Wale Bolorunduro, the immediate Past Osun Commissioner for Finance, urged that Christians to be faithful to God and worship Him without limits.

    Bolorunduro, who noted that there was hope for the country, said that all the challenges facing the country would soon be overcome.

    He urged Nigerins to be prayerful, adding that with God all things are possible.

  • Ooni to crown ‘Asiwaju Omo Oodua’

    Ooni to crown ‘Asiwaju Omo Oodua’

    THE Chairman and Grand Patron of an N.G.O. Artkingdom, Chief Alex Akinyele, has said that arrangements are in top gear to unveil the new Asiwaju Omo Oodua after the demise of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who held the title last.

    Speaking at an event tagged ‘World Arts, Culture And Tourism’ (WACT) Congress, Ile-Ife 2018, Prince Yomi Otukoya who is the organisation’s President disclosed that the event is the initiative of Artkingdom International Foundation, Maakbeat Transnational Limited and The Communicator in collaboration with The National Council Of Arts And Culture, Federal Ministry Of Information And Culture, The Royal Court Of Ife and the Nigerian Television Authority.

    The project Executive Director, Engr. Segun Osibanjo, noted that, “it is highly imperative to fill the vacant title of the Asiwaju Omo Oodua just as the vacant title of Aare Ona Kakanfo has just been filled.

    “Plans are underway to pick out of about six eminent personalities who will also be honoured as the leading light from the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. We have secured a royal endorsement and approval of Ooni Of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi to back up the event.

    “We are aware of the drastic change and yearnings of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to diversify from oil sector to other sectors like culture, tourism among others.

    “At this juncture, Art Kingdom has queued into the foresight of the federal government to boost socio-economic development of the country for culture and tourism”, Otukoya said.

    One of the project coordinators, Prince Adeleke Olukoya said the epoch event will come up in Ile-Ife, Osun State and would be hosted by Ooni of Ife in the first quarter of next year.

  • Abia hosts Ooni

    Abia hosts Ooni

    Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi gets a royal reception in Abia State, where he makes a case for peace and youth employment, reports SUNNY NWANKWO

    Since the unrest triggered by a clash between members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and military personnel, Abia State has been receiving high-profile visitors who did their best to cool tensions.

    The Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is the latest to call.  And like others before him, the monarch also had peace on his mind. He sought deeper relations among the ethnic groups that make up the country. But the Ooni also had other things on his mind, one of which was jobs.

    He expressed concern that employable youths are milling around without jobs, an ugly development in any nation. He urged that more efforts be made to provide jobs for youths.

    Speaking during a courtesy visit to the state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, at Government House, Umuahia, the state capital,  Ogunwusi described the Igbo race as very important to Nigeria.

    The monarch said his visit to Abia State was in fulfillment of his decision to bridge the inter-ethnic gap across Nigeria and also to support  Governor Ikpeazu whom he described as a man of peace who loves his people and Nigerians.

    He praised Governor Ikpeazu’s passion and support for the traditional institution in Nigeria and the state which he described as “the thing that has positive values that cannot be overemphasised”.

    He stressed the point that all Nigerians are the same people.

    He also commended the culture of the Igbo people, adding that “Igbo tradition is beautiful and signifies that anyone who brings kola brings life.”

    He linked the kola nut breaking culture in Igbo land to the strength of the typical Igbo man and woman as well as the “can do spirit of the Igbo race” that he is very proud of.

    Expressing happiness that the Igbo continue to uphold their culture, regardless of where they live, the royal father said he always feels at home in Igbo land.

    He said, “Nigerians are spiritually linked and must work together because their strength lies in their diversity”.

    Oba Ogunwusi called on the federal government to, as a matter of urgency, channel its resources and strength to a course that would better the lot of Nigerian youths.

    He explained that youths are the future and energy of the country and therefore their welfare should be the watchword of all progressive leaders of the country.

    The monarch assured that his people fully stand by Governor Ikpeazu’s progressive attitude to governance that is anchored on doing what is best for his people and those who live and do business in Abia State.

    He noted that everyone must come together to make Nigeria great.

    The Ooni who observed that Abia State is peaceful, called for the re-orientation of the youths as, according to him, “disintegration pays no one any dividends”.

    He enjoined the youths to do away with hate speeches and channel their enormous energy to right causes.

    Governor Ikpeazu, in his speech, described the visit as an “honour and a privilege” to him and the people of Abia State.

    The governor thanked the monarch for his kind words to the people of the state, noting that his prayers, support and encouragement have contributed to Abia’s success.

    Ikpeazu said that he is encouraged by the leadership style of the Ooni, especially in ensuring the unity of Nigeria and enabling inter-ethnic harmony within and outside his domain.

    He maintained that Nigeria has all it takes to become the world’s best “because of its massive human and material resources and the opportunities presented by our diversity”. He regretted “the country’s inability to harness the potential and kinetic energy of the people and translate same  to the positive growth of the country”.

    Ikpeazu said youths remain an integral part of Abia development agenda as well as that of the country but must learn to channel their grievances through the right channels.

    Governor Ikpeazu expressed belief that the only way to curb youth restiveness, banditry and violent crimes in the society is to ensure that youths are gainfully employed.

    He pledged to focus more on solving the problem of youth unemployment in the state through the introduction of more home-grown job creation initiatives.