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Tag: Ooni

  • Ooni to govts: let your policies, programmes drive job creation

    Ooni to govts: let your policies, programmes drive job creation

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has urged governments to let their policies and programmes drive employment for youths.

    The monarch, who advised governments to ensure small scale businesses survive through their policies, spoke at his palace at Ile-Ife in Osun State during the launch of this year’s Aso Ofi Festival, which will take place in Iseyin, a town in Oyo State.

    According to Oba Ogunwusi, several vocations synonymous with the Yoruba race are big enough to provide jobs for people.

    The Ooni noted that Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race, first discovered the cotton plant and transformed it to wool thread to make aso ofi at ancient Ife.

    He said: “Oduduwa got the inspiration from spider cobwebs and grew a large cotton plantation. The fittings of aso ofi were later perfected by the children of Ogun (the first blacksmith) – Abere (needle) and Obe (knife).

    “Olokun, who is also known as ‘Oluofi’, started the venture with the loom thread weaving along with Segi beads. The remnants of the production site were recently discovered at Ile-Ife and a scientific dating said they are over 4,000 years old.

    “Their descendants migrated to settle at Iseyin and later taught their other descendants – Anu (Ethiopia) and Nubia (Sudan) – all the way to present India (Orissa region, now called Odisha in India) and now all over the world. Iseyin people still practise aso ofi venture till date. If we don’t tell our stories by ourselves, nobody will.”

    The Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdul-Ganiyu Salawudeen, who led weavers from his town to Ife for the launch, said Olu Ofi, who he said was of the founders of Iseyin, left Ile-Ife several years earlier and settled at Iseyin.

    The Aseyin, who noted that weaving is a major vocation in Iseyin, said residents, especially youths, engaged in weaving and reduce crime rate in the ancient town.

    The monarch urged trade, culture enthusiasts and promoters to participate in the festival.

  • Ooni hails group on cultural renaissance

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has endorsed a cultural renaissance project embarked upon by a Lagos State based group, the Ikorodu Rebirth Project (IREP). He praised  the  group’s progress in its researches into the place  of Asa masquerade in the culture and history of the Yoruba race.

    While playing host to the research team at his Enuowa Palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State, the  monarch noted the teams gesture  to work for the rejuvenation of the many endangered culture and tradition of the Yoruba. He described the Asa masquerade as a deity whose origin is in Ile-ife.

    “I am exceedingly joyous to receive your delegation because what you are doing is not only beneficial to Ikorodu in Lagos State, but to all of Yoruba race. Your coming really lifted my spirit. Your mission further confirmed my belief that God sent me here for a divine purpose which is to lead a renaissance and reposition the Yoruba race worldwide.

    “It is cheering news that the Ikorodu Rebirth Project (IREP) has gone round gathering information and document about Asa. I am sure you think it is just a masquerade like the Eyo of Lagos. But I want you all to know that Asa is actually a deity with its origin here in Ile-Ife. Yes, here in Ile-Ife, it is a highly respected deity with a rich history and background.

    “You are writing a book on Asa. You are planning a carnival. I have accepted to write the foreword of the book. I also promised to grace the event whenever you are ready. I am pleased with this. I am happy at things like this. It is our culture that unites us a s a race. All over the world, Yoruba people are identified by their unique culture and tradition. So, we need to revive the things that unite us and do away with the things that divide us,” he said.

    Responding, the Convener of IREP, Honourable Bolanle Agunbiade, the Opomulero of Ikorodu, thanked the Ooni for his fatherly counsel and warm reception. He explained that the team is out to revive and promote as many endangered culture and tradition of the Yoruba race as possible, starting with Ikorodu.

    “It is our desire to work hard and promote our culture globally. We have had Asa in Ikorodu since time immemorial. But not many of us know its importance. And it is this same Asa Europeans are modernizing and using to welcome visitors in their countries. I once encountered Asa masquerades abroad. So, we are glad you encouraged us and we promise not to disappoint you,’ he said.

     

  • Ooni launches Nigerian Breweries’ Goldberg’s Isedowo

    Ooni launches Nigerian Breweries’ Goldberg’s Isedowo

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has launched Goldberg’s empowerment scheme, Isedowo, by Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc.

    The event, which held at the palace of the monarch in Ile Ife, Osun State, was attended by prominent obas and chiefs from the Southwest.

    The Ooni expressed his appreciation for the youth emancipation initiative and praised NB Plc for taking a bold step at improving the lot of small scale entrepreneurs in the Southwest region.

    “I thank Goldberg lager beer and Nigerian Breweries for this community partnership with the Yoruba people. By leading the way to support the businesses and entrepreneurial potential of artisans in the Southwest, you have challenged other corporate bodies to give back to the society where they operate,” the monarch said.

    The monarch called on all Yoruba youths, who are skilled in the trade, to grab the opportunity to showcase their business potential and be rewarded.

    NB’s Marketing Director, Nigeria, Franco Maria Maggi, declared  that Goldberg was honoured to identify with the king through Isedowo. He added that the empowerment initiative presented a mutually benefitting union between the monarch, who is the custodian of the Yoruba culture, and Goldberg, a brand that not only respects the values and traditions of the Yoruba people, but seeks to empower young men and women in the region.

    “We believe that as the custodian of the Yoruba culture, your blessings will rub off positively on Isedowo. It will set it on a path of achieving the objectives of positively transforming the lives of its beneficiaries, with spill over effects on the larger economy by way of increased job creation and income,” Maggi said.

    The occasion also witnessed the rewarding of the first set of entrepreneurs who were selected as the best in Osun State.

    Adeola Olajide, an auto mechanic from Abeokuta, Ogun State, who resides and works in Ile Ife, emerged as one of the beneficiaries and was rewarded at the occasion. He expressed his gratitude to Goldberg for the support, adding that the initiative was a welcome development.

    “When I heard the news on radio, I realised this is one of a kind in this part of the country, and I decided to grab the opportunity. I am very happy to have emerged a winner and with my reward, I intend to buy equipment that would bring about ease in my business,” he said.

    The company enjoined those who wished to benefit from its empowerment scheme to showcase their business ideas and how they would impact on the society at any of the Isedowo centres in the Southwest. There would be a screening of applicants and their business ideas. The top 100 participants would be rewarded with a grant of N300,000 each, totalling N30 million for all participants to support their businesses.

    Goldberg is a leading supporter of culture through its Isedowo programme.

  • Ooni seeks understanding of African culture

    The Ooni of Ile-Ife in Osun State, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi II, is expected to move into a seven-day seclusion soon to commune with his ancestors and pray for the nation ahead of the grand finale of Olojo Festival on September 30.

    The frontline monarch called for a better understanding of African cultural beliefs.

    Addressing reporters ahead of the festival, Oba Ogunwusi called for the repackaging of African culture to remove the negative tag on the beliefs of the Black race.

    The monarch noted that contrary to the view of many people within and outside the continent, deities and forbears of Africans were servants of God.

    According to him, the deities are doing well in delivering the mandate given to them by God.

    On the significance of the festival, the foremost Yoruba monarch said the Olojo is the celebration of the first dusk and dawn.

    Oba Ogunwusi said during the festival, the Ooni wears Are crown and takes a walk to Oke Mogun where the first dusk and dawn occurred.

    Describing the Olojo as a global festival, Oba Ogunwusi called for proper education of the younger generation on the significance of major cultural celebrations of the Yoruba.

    Oba Ogunwusi said: “Some members of the Black Caucus of Pennsylvania House of Representatives and about 150 other African-Americans have already indicated interest to participate in this year’s Olojo Festival.”

    He also called for a repackage of African culture and proper education of the younger generation on the significance of major cultural celebrations of the Yoruba.

    Highlights of this year’s festival include reorientation workshop for youths on culture, a football competition, ayo olopon, a fashion show and traditional music night.

  • Compendium on Ooni of Ife’s ascension for launch

    A special publication on the historical perspectives of the royal ascension of the present Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II and associated history of Obaship in the Yoruba land is scheduled for launch in Lagos tomorrow.

    The event holds at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    According to the spokesman for the launch committee, Babajide Macauley: “This book will surely put issues in proper perspective and remove every iota of doubt on the importance and supremacy of the Ooni of Ife as the Progenitor and bastion of Yoruba emancipation and youth development.”

    This historical documentation, an initiative of Printmarks International, an indigenous research and documentation outfit, which in February 2016, “with the authority of the revered monarch, set out to document in book form, the pre-coronation, coronation and post-coronation events of the present 51st Ooni”.

    The book is adjudged an archival reference material that sets out to put in proper perspective the Yoruba cultural values and tradition. “The book encompasses the profile of the monarch, details former Oonis from the first to the present, reels out the names of Ife honourary chiefs, dead and alive, reveals the administrative and political structure of Ile-Ife and captures in colours Ife monuments, its historic sites and tourist potentials,” the organisers said.

    Led by the Balogun of Ile-Ife, Chief Bisi Omidiora, who painstakingly edited the bookwork, the preface was written by Chief Alex Duduyemi, OFR, The Asiwaju of Ile-Ife, the Foreword was written by Ambassador Gunju Adesakin, the Otun Balogun of the Source and the Epilogue was written by Chief Segun Bamigbetan Baju, the Soludero of Ife and Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Cuba.

    The event is expected to attract top government functionaries, particularly the Aare Adimula of Ife and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, as chairman, state governors and others.

  • Faleti to forever remain in our hearts, says Ooni

    Faleti to forever remain in our hearts, says Ooni

    •Funeral rites begin Sept  5

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has said the late Yoruba poet and actor, Pa Adebayo Faleti, will forever remain in the hearts of the Yoruba race as a great ambassador of their culture and tradition.

    In a statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, the Ooni said the late multitalented communicator spent almost all his life serving the Yoruba race in various areas of cultural development.

    He said: “Chief Adebayo Faleti will certainly continue to live in the hearts of all the descendants of Oduduwa in appreciation of being a colossal blessing to our race as a great ambassador who gave all his God-given talents for the promotion and sustainability of Yoruba culture and traditions. He had been promoting the race right from the young age of 19 when he first established a Yoruba theatre group called ‘Oyo Operatic Society’.”

    Oba Ogunwusi admonished governments in Southwest to immortalise the late thespian with a befitting arts institutions to make him a reference point.

    The Ooni urged youths to always emulate the great playwright and famous actor in various areas of their careers, especially in the arts.

    He said: “You will find him relevant virtually in all segments of arts and culture. That is why the governments of the Southwest must immortalise him.

    “He was poet, he was a singer, he was a veteran actor, a writer, a broadcaster, a media manager, a teacher and rare promoter of Yoruba cultural values, which can be productively tapped by our youths, who must always find him worthy of emulation.”

    Also, the final burial arrangement for the popular Yoruba actor, author and broadcaster will begin on September 5.

    A statement by Ayoola Faleti, on behalf of the Faleti family said the funeral rites will begin on September 5 with a night of tributes and performances at International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan (UI).

    The statement said the burial will hold on September 8 at Isokun Baptist Church in Oyo, followed by interment at Agboye Village in Oyo, via Ogbomoso.

    The statement reads: “…Tuesday, September 5: Night of Tribute and Performances at International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, at 4 pm.

    “September 6: Commendation Service at Salem Baptist Church, Yemetu, Ibadan, at noon.

    “September 7: Lying-in-state at his home at Olororo, Ojoo, Ibadan, from 8 am to 9.30 am; Lying in State at BCOS- 10-11am,

    “Lying-in-state at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ibadan, at 11 a.m; at the House of Chiefs, at 11.30 a.m.

    “Body leaves for Oyo; Service-of-songs/Christian wake at First Baptist Church, Isokun, Oyo, at 4 p.m.

    “Artists’ Night: Plaza De Haruna Hotel, Oyo, at 8 p.m.

    “Sept 8: Final burial service at Isokun Baptist Church, Oyo; Interment follows at Agboye Village, Oyo via Ogbomoso.

    “Entertainment of guests at Labamba Hotel Hotel, Oyo.”

  • Ooni, Oyinlola, Omisore to Aregbesola: take heart

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Senator Iyiola Onisore, have commiserated with Governor Rauf Aregbesola over the death of his mother, Alhaja Saratu.

    Oba Ogunwusi, who is away to London, sent his condolences in a statement by his media aide, Moses Olafare. He described the deceased as an epitome of motherhood, worthy of emulation by women desiring to raise successful children.

    The monarch urged the people of the state and Yoruba race, to join the governor and his family in celebrating their matriarch, who “laboured hard to raise her children with discpline, virtues and godliness”.

    The statement reads:  “Mama Olobi, you are such a wonderful mother who will forever be celebrated and emulated by mothers who desire to raise children who will be blessings to the society, like your son, Rauf Aregbesola, who has always conducted himself in an enviable manner; he is indeed an Omoluwabi per excellence.”

    Oyinlola noted the exceptional bond between Aregbesola and his mother, saying his successor should be consoled by the fact that his mother lived well and was loved by all.

    “As mortals, we never want our elderly ones to go. But the Holy Books say all souls must taste death, so we have to submit to the supreme will of the Almighty from whom we came, and unto whom we shall all go,” he said.

    Omisore said the deceased lived a life worthy of emulation. “I hereby commisserate with Governor Rauf Aregbesola on the death of his mother, Alhaja Saratu Aregbesola.” He said the deceased will be missed because her likes “are rare beings in our lives”.

  • Ooni drums support for tradition, culture

    Ooni drums support for tradition, culture

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi,Ojaja 11, has described the newly-appointed Cultural Ambassador of the National Museum, Ile-Ife, Oloye ‘Lekan Alabi, as a worthy promoter of Yoruba tradition and culture.

    Oba Ogunwusi gave the commendation on Sunday in his palace, while decorating Oloye Alabi with his insignia of office. He said he was not surprised by Alabi’s appointment because he (Oloye Alabi) had built a remarkable reputation over the years as a committed practitioner and promoter of culture, values and etiquette.

    The Ooni said for Alabi to have successfully and successively served four former governors of old Oyo State as Press Secretary (the late Chief ‘Bola Ife, retired Maj-Gen Oladayo Popoola, retired Brig-Gen Adetunji  Olurin and the late Brig-Gen Sasaenia Oresanya) from 1983 to 1989, speaks volume about Alabi’s professionalism, loyalty, integrity and popularity.

    Oba Ogunwusi added that Alabi’s appointment as Cultural Ambassador  did not come as a surprise to him and other paramount rulers in Yoruba land, if the  fact that Alabi is a trustee of the D.O. Fagunwa Foundation, Yusuf Olatunji Foundation, Duro Ladipo Foundation, Adekunle Fajuyi Foundation and Chairman, Adegoke Adelabu Foundation, among others, is taken into consideration.

    The Ooni, however, called on Nigerians not to abandon the promotion of their time-honoured traditions and cultures to enthusiasts such as Alabi, but to also join in the task of teaching and encouraging indigenous cultures such as mother-tongues, foods, music, dresses and others.

    In his acceptance speech, Alabi thanked the Ooni for accepting to host his investiture and presentation of the insignia of office.

    He promised not to relent in his long-time commitment to the promotion of Yoruba and other Nigerian traditions and cultures, buttressing the Ooni’s call for all to embrace our valued culture.

    Alabi’s investiture was attended by representatives of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the Osun State, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and Ebira traditional rulers, academicians and artistes, among others.

    They all endorsed Alabi’s appointment, describing him as lover of culture and bridge-builder.

     

  • Ahmed, Ooni call for national unity

    Ahmed, Ooni call for national unity

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, and the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyey Enitan Ogunwusi, have called on Nigerians to work for the unity, peace and corporate existence of the country.

    The duo made the call at the weekend when the monarch visited Ahmed at the Government House in Ilorin.

    Ahmed said: “Our diversity should be a source of strength rather than of disunity. God has a reason for creating us in this geographical entity called Nigeria; we should allow that reason for greatness to manifest.

    “We should to live together in peace, irrespective of our political, social, ethnic or religious differences. Everyone must be an advocate of peace.”

    The governor described Oba Adeyeye as an epitome of peace, considering his antecedents since he assumed the throne. According to him, the monarch has redefined the role of traditional rulers as participatory in the act of governance.

    Oba Adeyeye noted that Nigerians have sacrificed for the cooperate existence of the country than the unfortunate song of disunity in some quarters.

    He urged the people to show more patriotism and muster resources for the growth and development of the country.

    “We have more to benefit as a united entity. We must, therefore, sacrifice for the generations yet unborn,” he said.

    The monarch described Ahmed as a focused governor and an embodiment of simplicity and humility. He congratulated him on the state’s golden jubilee.

  • Youths are frustrated, says Ooni

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has warned that over 70 percent of Nigerian  youths are frustrated by the system. He also attributed the current economic woes in the country to heavy dependence on foreign goods. Oba Ogunwusi said this in Malete, Moro local government area of Kwara State while delivering this year’s convocation lecture of the Kwara State University (KWASU).

    “70 percent of Nigerians are youth. They are vibrant, energetic and purposeful driven; they can think outside the box, yet they are frustrated by the system. The system has not encouraged them,” Oba Ogunwusi said.

    He listed investment, production and consumption as some of the ingredients for a viable economy. He added that the way out of the economic recession is huge investment in locally made goods, saying that “if we change our orientation things will move forward properly for the country.

    “There is no shortcut to success. We have propensity to consume but no propensity to produce. In the 60s Nigeria had so much money and did

    not know what to do with the currency, then out propensity to produce started dropping. One of our fundamental problems in this country is that we don’t want to learn from our mistakes. We have forgotten how to link all economic ingredients for economic recovery in Nigeria.

    “The current economic hardship in the country is a blessing in disguise. It is making us think inwardly, as state governments are now collaborating. How well we are thinking out of the box that is food for thought for us all in Nigeria. Necessity is the mother of invention. The leeway to economic recovery in Nigeria lies with you and I. let us believe in our country and think positively,” he added.