The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ooni

  • Ooni initiates TV show for school kids

    Ooni initiates TV show for school kids

    Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has unveiled a television show for the less privileged in the society especially school kids to broaden their horizon in learning.

    Addressing journalists at the weekend to announce the show, Deputy Chief Convener of Hopes Alive Initiatives, Temitope Adesegun, described it as an advocacy programme solely dedicated to the underprivileged in the society.

    Adesegun explained it will all- encompassing, adding the monarch has a dream for an average child who to have a good views of happening across the nation.

    Ogunwusi, who was represented by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Comrade Moses Olafare, said: “Hopes Alive Initiatives is part of the 11 point youth oriented agenda of His Imperial Majesty which can only be driven by programmes and initiatives.”

  • Ooni, NTDC back TIDA conference

    Ooni, NTDC back TIDA conference

    All is set for the Tourism Innovation and Development Advantage (TIDA) Conference planned by Skyview Communications Company Limited.

    As part of its awareness campaign, the organising partners visited the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

    During the visit at the Ooni’s palace in Ile-Ife, the monarch gave his blessings to the conference, billed for February 15, at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos.

    He reiterated his interest in the growth of domestic tourism and the preservation of the nation’s rich heritage, which he has consistently championed since he was crowned in December 2015.

    According to him,  improved local tourism will benefit the people and the society. “I support TIDA initiatives and its twin projects – Virtual Tourism and the Tourism Entrepreneurship Development Academy (TEDA) –that will be unveiled at the conference. It is a step in the right direction,” he said.

    The country’s top federal promotion and regulatory body, the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), has also thrown its weight behind the conference. According to a letter of endorsement, signed by Funebi Out-Umondak on behalf of the corporation’s Director-General, Folorunsho Coker, “TIDA will help re-direct the negative perception about the country and present Nigeria as a viable tourism destination.

    ‘’The corporation believes that using virtual tourism to promote tourism would captivate the minds of would-be tourists to the vast tourism potential of the country.”

    With the aim of tapping into the  tourism industry, Skyview Communications Company is partnering other organisations to hoist the  conference, its CEO, Femi Lawson, said.

    He observed that his company is partnering stakeholders, such as Travelnet Log, Avant Garde Tours, and Nigeria Tourism Awards, to develop the tourism potential of Nigeria.

    Earlier, at a briefing on the  conference,  Lawson said a virtual tourism on the country would be unveiled at the TIDA.

    Besides, he said his firm would also introduce the Tourism Entrepreneur Development Academy  (TEDA).

    One of the partners, Pelu Awofeso, of Travelnet log, urged that instead of promoting insecurities that are not the major reality in Nigeria, we could, with the help of our rich culture, project a better image of the country, especially since every country has its own share of insecurity.

  • Ooni, NGO to tackle malnutrition in Africa

    Ooni, NGO to tackle malnutrition in Africa

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has partnered a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Empower 54, to tackle malnutrition.

    The NGO said it would work with the monarch to create awareness and promote solutions to end malnutrition, which kills 2.3 million children in Nigeria every year.

    Empower 54 is a United States of America (U.S) non-profit organisation providing humanitarian assistance, since 2003, through health, education, empowerment and internally displaced persons (IDP) and refugee programmes to underprivileged Africans.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by the founder and president of the organisation, Princess Modupe Ozolua, said a report that one-third (33 per cent) of Nigerian children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition was disturbing.

    According to her, many lives are lost due to lack of sensitisation on early management of malnutrition and accessibility to free treatment.

    The statement said: “After Empower 54 evacuated the severely malnourished IDP children from Bama to Maiduguri (in Borno State) on June 13 and 15, 2016, we realised more had to be done to save children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) beyond evacuating them from high risk zones for treatment.

    “There are countless non-IDP children suffering from SAM all over Nigeria and other parts of Africa who also need help. Empower 54 currently work in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

    Oba Ogunwusi pledged his commitment to the fight against malnutrition.

    The monarch said his organisation, Global Outreach Initiative, would work with the NGO to end malnutrition, which kills many children in Nigeria and Africa.

    He added: “The menace of malnutrition is creeping deeper into the fabric of our society and we must be tenacious in our fight against this colossal beast by creating a better mechanism, adopting policies and strategies that are capable of combating its rapid expansion.

    “Africa is the wealth of the world with huge human and natural resources. We must form a consensus that would scale up nutrition projects for the greater developments of future leaders, who are being crippled daily by our collective negligence.

    “As the co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), we require holistic and systematic global blended approach in addressing the shade of malnutrition in Africa.

    “I recognise and applaud months of intervention of Empower 54 in subjugating the spread of malnutrition in Nigeria and across Africa. Therefore, in an effort to forge greater participation, it is my sheer commitment and other global partners to advocate alongside the long-term collective aspirations of Empower 54 in championing malnutrition extinction roadmap in Africa.

    “Empower 54 will be working closely with His Majesty’s organisation, Global Outreach Initiative, on strategies for his role as Empower 54’s International Goodwill Ambassador to end malnutrition in Africa.”

     

  • Ooni extols President’s quality

    Ooni extols President’s quality

    The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his 75th birthday anniversary, describing him as an incorruptible leader driven by uncommon discipline.

    Ogunwusi, who is a co-chairman of the National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, said this in a statement issued by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Comrade Moses Olafare yesterday.

    He eulogised Buhari as a living extraordinary Nigerian leader globally known for relentlessly dedicated selfless service towards making Nigeria a better place to live in.

    The statement reads: “The Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II extends the warmest wishes of House of Oduduwa to His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari as he today gloriously clocks 75th years of age. Mr. President is in no doubt an internationally respected Nigerian leader with a heart of gold who has worked tirelessly to ensure a better society with his unwavering message of justice, compassion, peace and human dignity which has made him an inspiration to people around the world.

    “His very clean record speaks for him for he has from 1961 till date meritoriously served this country in various capacities as a young soldier who later became a General, as a Governor of Northeastern state, as a Minister of Petroleum, Head of State, as the Chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund, as an elder statesman and currently as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Hate him or like him, he remains worthy of celebrations and emulations as an extraordinary leader driven by uncommon discipline, whose relentless, dedication and incorruptible selflessness in the service of our country can never be ignored.”

    The monarch prayed for the President and urged him to remain undistracted in his fight against corruption to make Nigeria a country of high global integrity.

    “Kabiyesi Ooni’risa assures President Buhari of the unflinching support of the good people and the traditional rulers of Yorubaland. He also wishes him sound health, long life and plethora of fulfillments as he remains undistracted in his war against corruption with a view to ensuring a Nigeria of international integrity,” the Ooni said.

  • Ooni inaugurates hall of fame, anthem in Ekiti

    Ooni inaugurates hall of fame, anthem in Ekiti

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has urged the people of Ikere in Ekiti State to support their monarch, the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, in the interest of the overall development of the town. Oba Ogunwusi who made the call on Saturday at Ogoga’s palace during the official inauguration of Ikere Hall of Fame and the launch of Ikere anthem, also advised indigenes to allow peace to reign in the town.

    The Ikere Hall of Fame project was bankrolled by a friend of the Ogoga and businessman, Chief Dimeji Isiaka. The Arole Oodua who expressed satisfaction with development witnessed in the community since Oba Alagbado mounted the throne in 2015, said his ascension to the Ogoga stool was divine and never a mistake. According to him, Oba Alagbado has made history by building a new palace and mobilizing philanthropists to give the town an administrative building as well as a Hall of Fame, within two years of his ascension to the throne.

    Oba Ogunwusi said: “When you have a good leader, there will be peace, there will be progress, there will be development and God has given you a new King in Ikere who is humble, progressive and handsome. God has blessed Ikere with illustrious sons and daughters; and God has blessed Ogoga with brain and his choice as King was not a mistake. You have not seen anything yet in terms of development.

    Other traditional rulers who witnessed the event include the Chairman of Ekiti State Council of Obas, Oloye of Oye, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju; the Attah of Ayede, Oba Adebayo Orisagbemi; the Alara of Aramoko, Oba Adegoke Adeyemi and the Obalufon Alayemore of Efon, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare. The event featured homages to the monarchs and cultural dances.

  • Ooni, group plan to make Ife World Heritage City

    Ooni, group plan to make Ife World Heritage City

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi,  Ojaja II, and an international business conglomerate, Almajdal Limited, have concluded plans to transform Ile-Ife into the biggest tourist destination in Africa.

    ALMAJDAL is an international construction concern with branches in Africa, Europe and Asia.

    In a support statement, Oba Ogunwusi said the “project involves re-construction and beautification of ancient sites, city parks, new boulevards, greenery of the city centers, redesign of the city main boulevard, outskirts and other legacy projects in line with the idea to create the necessary impetus for Ile-Ife and Yoruba cultural renaissance.”

    “We are set for a legacy project that will uplift one of the oldest cities in the world and put it on the global tourist map.

    “It involves rebuilding the over 200 historical and archeological sites dating back to the 8th century.

    “Also construction of the Yoruba Museum of Natural History and the Yoruba Ancient War Museum, the rebuilding of the burial place of Oduduwa, the first Ooni of Ife who died around late 9thCentury, the Garden of Saints for late Oonis, the provision of gardens, botanical gardens and fountains across the city.

    “No fewer than 1 million trees of different species will be planted at Ife alone,” Executive Director of ALMAJDAL, Wali Kutrub said.

     

  • Dogara, Ambode, Amosun, Ooni, Alake, others for Ogun monarch’s coronation anniversary

    The Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and his Osun and Ogun State counterparts, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Ibikunle Amosun; Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Alake of Egba, Oba Aremu Gbadebo are among the dignitaries expected at the 12th coronation anniversary of Eselu of Eselu in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi.

    The event will be held on Sunday December 3 at the Eselu palace in Oja Odan. Others expected at the event are the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye, Oba Rasak Adenugba, Abepe of Joga, Oba Adeyemi Adekeye, Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamordeen Animashaun, among others. Oba Akinyemi said the event was planned to thank his people, friends and associates for standing by him in the last 12 years of his ascension to the throne. He said his kingdom had witnessed fairly impressive development since he be came the monarch, adding that there was prospect for mineral exploration in the community. ‘’There has been increase in infrastructural development such as rural electrification. The community is blessed with mineral resources like limestone,  and gypsium. The limestone and gypsium deposit in my domain, according to a geological survey can last over 100 years.’’

  • Yoruba in good position to conquer the world, says Ooni

    Yoruba in good position to conquer the world, says Ooni

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has said God has put the Yoruba race in prime position to conquer the world in all fields of human endeavour.

    He called on the Yoruba to have good knowledge of their history and use it as a catalyst to take their pride of place in Nigeria, Africa and the entire universe.

    The Arole Oodua made the call yesterday in Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State, at the launch of a book titled: “Ooni Obalufon Alayemore: The Founder of Efon Alaaye Kingdom”, held at the town’s Civic Centre.

     

    The 1,420-page book chronicled the exploits and sacrifice of the Obalufon Alayemore, the third Ooni, who vacated the Ife throne for his brother, Oranyan, who returned from Oyo on the demise of his

    (Oranyan’s) brother.

    According to Oba Ogunwusi, there is too much disunity but we must come together. “If you don’t put our history in proper perspective, foreigners will be the one to do it for us. It is the honour we give to ourselves that the whole world will give to us,” he said.

    He added that Yoruba is the head because God has put them in an eminent position and when they take their right position, things will move in the right way.

    His words: “God has blessed us abundantly but we must know our history, we must know our source and our history should not be written for us by foreigners.”

    The book was authored by Prince Adelegan Adegbola while it was reviewed by Prof. Biodun Adediran.

     

  • Ambode, Ooni, Pasuma set for Asa carnival in Lagos

    Ambode, Ooni, Pasuma set for Asa carnival in Lagos

    The much hyped Asa Carnival scheduled to hold in the Ikorodu area of Lagos has been described as one of the results of Governor Akinwumi Ambode’s call on the private sector and well meaning individuals to come forward and help in the development of the state’s many tourism potentials. The acting Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Honourable Adebimpe Akinsola, said this while speaking about the forthcoming carnival.

    Akinsola, who said the Lagos State government is ever ready to partner with organisations, groups and individuals to further harness the tourism opportunities in the state, applauded the initiative of the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade and his team, which gave birth to the resuscitation of the Asa festival in Ikorodu division.

    Meanwhile, organizers of the event has confirmed the attendance of Governor Ambode, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwuyi, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa, and a host of other dignitaries, at the carnival, which will hold next Saturday at the Ebute-Ikorodu Ferry Terminal.

    Speaking on preparation for the event, Hon. Agunbiade said the carnival promises to be a great event and assures the people of Lagos state of maximum security at the various venues. According to him, the purpose of the event is to showcase the Asa masquerade as another cultural heritage of the people of Lagos state worthy of promoting as a tourism earner.

    “All is now set for the Asa carnival. We look forward to the presence of Governor Ambode, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwuyi, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa, and Fuji musician, Pasuma, at the event alongside numerous other dignitaries and celebrities. We assure the people of Lagos state of maximum security at the various venues on Saturday, 4th of November 2017,” he said.

  • Adams is right choice for Aare Ona Kakanfo, says Ooni

    Adams is right choice for Aare Ona Kakanfo, says Ooni

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has urged the Aare Ona Kakanfo-designate of Yoruba, Otunba Gani Adams, to use his position to correct the wrongs among the race.

    The monarch described the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) national leader as the right choice for the position.

    Oba Ogunwusi spoke yesterday when Adams visited his palace at Ile-Ife in Osun State.

    Congratulating the Aare Ona Kakanfo-designate, the Ooni prayed to God to empower him to carry out his assignment for the Yoruba.

    He noted that his choice is the result of his antecedent as a fearless fighter for the emancipation of Yoruba interests through peaceful means.

    Stressing that partisan politics had destroyed many things, Oba Ogunwusi said Adams, being a warrior, has a big role to play in the emancipation and unity of his people.

    The monarch said this underscored the importance attached to the title.

    According to him, the title is not a social chieftaincy title but one with robust traditional background and expectations.

    In his prayer for the Aare Ona Kakanfo-designate, Oba Ogunwusi said: “God will continue to uplift you.”

    The monarch noted that though Aare Ona Kakanfo is a warrior, the “war he has to wage this time is the war for the unity of Yoruba, which you have been propagating before and you should do more”.

    He said the Yoruba are front runners, adding that the Aare Ona Kakanfo-designate should ensure the race remains a frontrunner.

    Oba Ogunwusi said: “The Aare Ona Kakanfo is deep and its importance known mainly to the elders. Use your tenure for good, embrace both the natives and strangers among us. Rely on God and He will help you.”

    Adams said he deliberately decided to make Ooni’s palace his first place of official visit since his proclamation as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo because of the value he attached to Ile-Ife.

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo-designate noted that as a Yoruba man, the town holds his place of origin and cradle of Yoruba culture.

    He said the unity of the Yoruba race was paramount to him.

    Thanking the Ooni for his usual support, Adams sought the monarch’s support to enable him succeed in his assignment for the Yoruba race.

    He promised to further promote the Yoruba culture.