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Tag: Ooni Ogunwusi

  • Ooni Ogunwusi turns 51

    Ooni Ogunwusi turns 51

    Every October 17 has become a day that fills the sacred city of Ile-Ife, cradle of the Yoruba race and spiritual heart of an ancient civilization, with celebration and reflection as it marks the birthday ceremony of His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

    Though Ooni Ogunwusi isn’t one that is particular about birthdays, his subjects, family and people of Ile Ife always use the opportunity to celebrate the monarch whose journey is defined by purpose, peace, and profound cultural rebirth.

    As the esteemed monarch marked his 51st birthday, October 17 didn’t just come like another year, it afforded several individuals the opportunity to express gratitude and display affection for the Ooni since his reign began in 2015.

    Read Also: Tinubu committed to constructing quality roads in Nigeria, says Umahi

    Ooni Ogunwusi has stood tall as a unifier of peoples and traditions, breathing new life into the ancient institution he represents. His reign has become a shining testament to the power of cultural diplomacy restoring dignity to Yoruba heritage while building bridges across Nigeria, Africa, and the world.

    At 51, Ooni Ogunwusi embodies the renaissance spirit, a modern monarch rooted deeply in ancestral wisdom, yet forward-looking in thought and action. His reign has been marked by efforts to demystify traditional leadership and make the palace an epicenter of development, dialogue, and youth empowerment. For him, royalty is not just about crowns and rituals; it is about service, vision, and impact.

    Under his watch, Ile-Ife has evolved into more than a historical city; it has become a living hub of innovation, tourism, and interfaith harmony. The Ooni has consistently emphasized peace and tolerance, preaching unity among ethnic and religious groups, and urging Nigerians to rediscover the values that bind them as one family under God.

    Ooni Ogunwusi’s 51 years on earth and nearly a decade on the throne tells a story of grace and responsibility. From his early entrepreneurial success to his ascension as the Arole Oduduwa, he has navigated life’s turns with courage and vision. His reign continues to inspire a new generation of Africans to believe in their culture, embrace innovation, and lead with compassion.

  • Ooni Ogunwusi turns 51

    Ooni Ogunwusi turns 51

    Every October 17 has become a day that fills the sacred city of Ile-Ife, cradle of the Yoruba race and spiritual heart of an ancient civilization, with celebration and reflection as it marks the birthday ceremony of His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

    Though Ooni Ogunwusi isn’t one that is particular about birthdays, his subjects, family and people of Ile Ife always use the opportunity to celebrate the monarch whose journey is defined by purpose, peace, and profound cultural rebirth.

    As the esteemed monarch marked his 51st birthday, October 17 didn’t just come like another year, it afforded several individuals the opportunity to express gratitude and display affection for the Ooni since his reign began in 2015.

    Ooni Ogunwusi has stood tall as a unifier of peoples and traditions, breathing new life into the ancient institution he represents. His reign has become a shining testament to the power of cultural diplomacy restoring dignity to Yoruba heritage while building bridges across Nigeria, Africa, and the world.

    READ ALSO: Nigeria to add about 130 million people by 2050, says World Bank

    At 51, Ooni Ogunwusi embodies the renaissance spirit, a modern monarch rooted deeply in ancestral wisdom, yet forward-looking in thought and action. His reign has been marked by efforts to demystify traditional leadership and make the palace an epicenter of development, dialogue, and youth empowerment. For him, royalty is not just about crowns and rituals; it is about service, vision, and impact.

    Under his watch, Ile-Ife has evolved into more than a historical city; it has become a living hub of innovation, tourism, and interfaith harmony. The Ooni has consistently emphasized peace and tolerance, preaching unity among ethnic and religious groups, and urging Nigerians to rediscover the values that bind them as one family under God.

    Ooni Ogunwusi’s 51 years on earth and nearly a decade on the throne tells a story of grace and responsibility. From his early entrepreneurial success to his ascension as the Arole Oduduwa, he has navigated life’s turns with courage and vision. His reign continues to inspire a new generation of Africans to believe in their culture, embrace innovation, and lead with compassion.

  • Olowu celebrates Ooni Ogunwusi at 51

    Olowu celebrates Ooni Ogunwusi at 51

    The Olowu of Kuta, His Royal Majesty Oba Dr. Hammed Oyelude Makama, CON, Tegbosun III, has congratulated the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on the occasion of his 51st birthday.

    In a statement personally signed by him, Oba Makama commended the Ooni for his tireless efforts in unifying and repositioning traditional institutions across Yorubaland.

    According to the Olowu, the Ooni has consistently conducted himself with dignity and restraint, choosing not to be drawn into actions that could diminish the honour of the traditional stool despite provocations from a few detractors.

    “Ooni Ogunwusi has continued to earn more accolades and has remained unperturbed in the face of provocation. Like the deity that he is, the Ooni has continued to grow in leaps and bounds, remaining a father to all and a strong advocate for the youth of this country,” Oba Makama said.

    He further praised the Ooni for his exemplary leadership and commitment to advancing the relevance of traditional rulers in national development.

    Read Also: Ibadan Mogajis, Monarchs, Baales hail Ooni on birthday

    “I salute the courage and candour with which the Ooni navigates the throne of his forebears. He has been a true rallying point for traditional institutions in Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole,” the Olowu stated.

    Oba Makama also lauded the Ooni’s role in the recent meeting of traditional rulers held in Lagos, where he championed the call for greater participation of monarchs—Kabiyesis, Obis, Offalas, Emirs, and Etsu Nupes—in national affairs.

    “Your noble contributions to the elevation of traditional institutions as custodians of culture and agents of unity are well documented for posterity. You have always stood at the forefront of efforts to restore the pride of our heritage,” he added.

    Extending his heartfelt wishes, Oba Makama prayed for the Ooni’s continued health, wisdom, and longevity.

    “Olofin Adimula, on behalf of my Oloris, the Olowu-in-Council, and the good people of Kuta, I wish you good health, long life, and prosperity. Ajinde ara a ma je fun yin. Keep ageing gracefully, our defender and promoter-in-chief of culture and tradition,” he said.

  • Ooni Ogunwusi at 50

    Ooni Ogunwusi at 50

    • He has done a lot in terms of development, unity, etc. With age on his side, the sky is the limit

    His transition from prince to king in 2015 marked the beginning of a uniquely important chapter of his life. His 50th birthday on October 17 was also a significant milestone as he looks forward to his 10th coronation anniversary as the Ooni of Ife next year.

    Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) was 41 when he was crowned the 51st Ooni of Ife, in Osun State.  Following his emergence as the traditional ruler of Ile-Ife, he announced an agenda that reflected his sense of responsibility as well as his sense of purpose. He said in a statement at the time: “The Ile-Ife of ‘my dream’ will be strategically positioned to empower its people socially, economically and culturally, to bring about the desired developments…there is a huge possibility for Ile-Ife to experience tremendous growth through industrialisation and developmental projects.”

    Ile-Ife’s recognition as the ancestral and spiritual home of the Yoruba race imposes a burden on its traditional ruler to be of exemplary conduct.  Regarded as the spiritual head of the ethnic group and a custodian of its values, Oba Ogunwusi has commendably projected its Omoluwabi ethos, which emphasises the importance of a positive character in the social environment.

    He has shown himself to be an ambassador of peace and unity. For instance, in 2016, he made the headlines with his historic self-initiated visit to the then Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, in the pursuit of peace between the occupants of perhaps the two most prominent and culturally significant Yoruba thrones. A long and bitter rivalry had existed between Oba Adeyemi and Ooni Sijuwade, Oba Ogunwusi’s predecessor.

    It is a measure of his sense of mission that he has also taken concrete steps to resolve the age-long antagonism between Ife and Modakeke.  He set up the House of Oduduwa Development Trust Fund to reconstruct buildings damaged in communal clashes between the two communities. He remarkably continues to pursue Yoruba unity.

    However, he is also a major player in the sphere of traditional rulership nationally. As a co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria and the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council, he is in the forefront of advocates of an official role for traditional rulers in governance.

    The role of royalty in a democratic polity remains a subject of debate. It is a testimony to his creative leadership that, despite the circumscription of royal power by democratic institutions, and the associated diminution of its developmental capacity, he has been able to record development-related successes.

    Read Also: Ooni Ogunwusi in historic tour of America

    His age when he became king held a generational promise, and he was expected to bring modern thinking and methods to an ancient office. After studying Accountancy at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State, he chose the path of business. He is the founder of Gran Imperio Group, which has interests in real estate and construction, manufacturing, facilities management, leisure and tourism.

    Notably, as part of his 50th birthday celebrations, he unveiled the OJAJA Hostel, a 2.7-kilometre road and a pavilion named after Nigeria’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu, at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.  He said these “reflect our shared commitment to progress for our community and nation.”

    True to his frank style of calling for good governance, he took the opportunity to “urge all leaders to serve Nigeria with integrity, compassion, and patriotism,” adding, “Our nation requires socio-economic initiatives that reach all corners, and it is our duty to be sources of hope and strength in shaping Nigeria’s future.”

    As the founder of Ojaja University, Ilorin, Kwara State, he demonstrated his passion for education and human development. He described the institution as “a structure that will allow us to produce valuable innovators who will not only be academically and morally sound but also globally great innovators.”

    A recipient of the Nigerian national honour, Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), in 2022, he brought radiance to his throne, remains culturally relevant and continues to exhibit respectable leadership.

    He is a modernising agent who has age on his side. His performance is work in progress. We congratulate him on his golden jubilee.