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Tag: Ooni

  • South Africa: Group asks Ooni to intervene in attacks on Nigerians 

    A socio-economic group of prominent Nigerians based in South Africa, the Nigeria Patriots, has called on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, to intervene in the incessant xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.

    In a statement, the Director General of the group, Comrade Yele Alemede, who condemned attacks on foreigners, blamed the government of South Africa and the Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN, for lack of political will in tackling the issue and therefore allowing lives and properties worth millions of Rand to be lost.

    According to him, Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa were attacked in 2008, 2015, 2016 and 2017, adding that “yet there has not been any meaningful measure taken by both countries to find a lasting solution to the barbaric act.”

    He urged the royal father to use his Global Peace Initiative to fast track stability and lasting peace between Nigerians in South Africa and their host nation.

    In his words: “As an Ambassador of Peace, we know that the entire world is Ooni’s constituency because Africans are all over the world. We therefore want him to use his good office, authority and God-given wisdom to help us put an end to this inhuman treatment meted to Nigerians and Africans in South Africa.

  • Ooni: don’t politicise Ife clash

    Ooni: don’t politicise Ife clash

    Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has warned against politicising the clash between Ife indigenes and Hausa in the town.

    Oba Ogunwusi gave the warning yesterday while receiving leaders of the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation,  Afenifere.

    The monarch said the crisis might have an ethnic outlook, mainataining that it must not be turned into an avenue to gain cheap popularity and influence.

    According to the traditional ruler, Afenifere’s efforts on the issue is commendable but should be pursued with care.

    He said: “The efforts of the Afenifere on the treatment of the Yoruba is commendable. However, we should not be too reactionary on this matter so as not to cause more harm.

    “My people, how many times have the people of Sabo received politicians who came to greet them ? But when there is crisis, you have them all around.

    “So, I will want us to be careful and not let them play politics with this issue. Please, let us remain peaceful and let the brotherly love continue.

    “The unity of this nation is very important and we must all defend it. We must all ensure peaceful co-existence. We all should persevere and realise that people of various tribes live in other parts of the country. It is patience that we need to get this case resolved.

    The leader of the Afenifere group, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, described the incident as  “unfortunate”.

    Adebanjo, who bemoaned the “one sided” arrests by the police, called on the authorities not to hide the truth.

    “The mode of arrest  is partisan, we want true justice and thorough investigation on the crisis. We are not happy with the crisis.

    “The reason for the clash is still surprising because for over 40 years that Yoruba and Hausa have been co-habiting, there has  been no record of violence.

    “The police are to be blamed for this crisis. They caused the crisis. They arrested only Yoruba. It points to the fact that the arrest was pre-planned.

    “What Afenifere is saying again is that the arrest is one-sided. Some of the people who died in the clash are Yoruba and their houses torched. Nonetheless, we are here to sympathise with both the Yoruba and Hausa,” he said.

    The Afenifere leaders later moved to the Ife City Hall to address the people before visiting the scene of the incident.

    Dignitaries who accompanied Adebanjo  include Chief Olu Falae, Yinka Odumakin, and former Osun State  Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore.

  • Ooni’s peace committee meets tomorrow

    Ooni’s peace committee meets tomorrow

    •’Hoodlums caused the crisis’

    The Truth and Reconciliation Committee set up by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to proffer a solution to the clash between the Hausa and Yoruba in Ife will sit tomorrow.
    The committee has the Obalufe, Oba Idowu Adediwura, as its chairman, and the Jaran, High Chief Ademola Adeyeye; Wasin of Ilare, High Chief Zacheus Olasode as members.
    Others members are Seriki Hausa Alhaji Mamuda Mandagali; Ezendigbo of Ife Ezekiel Onyejekde; Okobairo of Urobo David Akpomedaye; Chairman Modakeke Progressive Union Tajudeen Oke and security agencies.
    Senator Babajide Omoware is the adviser.
    Speaking at a briefing by the Ife Progressive Forum yesterday in Ile-Ife, the president of the group otherwise known as Ife Action Council, Lawrence Awowoyin, said the Ooni was disturbed about the clash between indigenes and settlers.
    He said the monarch insisted that the committee should hold its meetings in the palace so that he would monitor its activities.
    Awowoyin said investigation showed that there was no political undertone to the crisis but land matters between a Yoruba family and the Hausa community.
    His words: “The love of Ife people towards all ethnic groups from time immemorial is not in doubt.
    “The crisis was an offshoot of a misunderstanding between two individuals at Sabo area of Ile-Ife. The misunderstanding was unfortunately hijacked by hoodlums in the area.
    “The fracas did not emanate from Ife community but was masterminded by hoodlums from the two aggrieved individuals.”
    He described the Hausa as friends of Ife, adding that like other ethnic groups in the community the Hausa had added value to the ancient town.
    Awowoyin appealed to security agents to be fair and objective in handling the issues so as not to aggravate the existing tension in Ife.
    “We sympathise with the victims from both sides. It is a known fact that both Yoruba and Arewa were victims of the fracas.
    “We, therefore, condemn the overzealousness of some security agencies and indiscriminate arrest of people.”
    The leaders of Hausa and Igbo indigenes called for an end to ethnic clash in the town.
    Madagali, who alleged that there was no clash in Ile-Ife but an attack on Hausa indigenes by Yoruba, explained that houses of many of his people were razed.
    He was crying as he narrated the ordeal of his people. He assured that his members would not retaliate, noting that they see their misfortune as ordained by God.

  • Ooni advises Yoruba to defend common interest

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has urged Yoruba monarchs and political leaders to disregard their differences and unite to defend the common interest of the race.

    The monarch spoke when he received the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Ajibade Alabi, and his chiefs, in his palace at Ile Oduduwa.

    Oba Ogunwusi, who addressed his guests in Yoruba language, said he was put on the Ooni stool for a divine purpose. He called for support for him to fulfill that purpose and enjoined Yoruba leaders to shun competition and unhealthy rivalry, but allow God use them for His glory and development of the race.

    Oba Ogunwusi reminded the Yoruba people of their link to Ife and asked them to see themselves, wherever they are, as blood brothers and sisters who should work in the interest of the race.

    His words: “God is the Almighty and the only one that enthrones kings. We all owe him gratitude for his mercies and think of how to work together for His glory. We should do away with unhealthy rivalry and competition among ourselves.

    “As the Ooni, I am just the Adele (the one who holds forth for others) for all of you.”

    Oba Ogunwusi accepted Oba Alabi’s invitation to his fifth coronation anniversary on April 22.

    Oba Alabi lauded the Ooni for his peace advocacy and efforts to unite all sections of the Yoruba race.

    He said Oba Ogunwusi had proved to be a leader with an uncommon passion for the development of his people.

  • Agency praises Ooni for support

    The director of the National Images Agricultural Empowerment Training Scheme Project, Mr. Oluwaseyi Bamigbade, has hailed the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, for his support in empowering Nigerians.

    He described monarch as a lover of peace, unity, transformation and progress.

    Bamigbade spoke after he presented a proposal to the monarch that would enable the organisation train young school leavers and graduates in Osun State and other Southwest states.

    According to him, the training would lead to employment generation, economic empowerment and self- sufficiency.

    The programme, he said, aimed to train over two million less-privileged young school leavers and graduates in basic agricultural skills that would enable them have adequate knowledge on rice production, wheat, cassava, fish farming, vegetable, birds, among others, and promote export and tourism.

    He said it would also allow them to become self-reliant and form a cooperative society that would make them access credit from reputable financial institutions.

    The scheme is being supported by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN); FADAMA, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi.

     

  • Buhari, CJN, Ooni for launch of book on Eso

    The late Supreme Court Justice, Kayode Eso, has been described as a jurist of international repute who still commands a lot of respect five years after his demise.

    Messrs Arigbabuwo Lateef and Odunlami Oluwaseun made this observation at a briefing on the presentation of a book on the late Eso, which they co-authored.

    It is to be launched today.

    The book is titled: Justice Kayode Eso: Beacon of Judicial activism.

    The event will hold at Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Ikeja.

    According to them, the late Eso’s attributes made them to write the book in his honour.

    They hope the book would serve as a resource material for those who share his ideals on the bench, especially his judicial activism.

    President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to be the Special Guest of Honour at the event.

    Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) will chair the event, while the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen is the Guest of Honour.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II is the Host Royal Father while royal fathers of the day included the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Adetona and Oba of Lagos , Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

    Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, is the chief host,  the father of the day for the book launch is Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) while the Chief Launcher and Book reviewer are Chairman/CEO, Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Dean of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, Prof. Ademola Popoola.

     

  • Religion is dividing Nigeria —Ooni

    Religion is dividing Nigeria —Ooni

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has lamented the divisive tendencies of religion in the country.

    The Ooni spoke in Abuja  yesterday as a Guest Speaker at the National Defence College to Course 25 on the theme: Socio-cultural Development and National Security: the Role of Traditional Institutions in Nigeria’.

    The royal father bemoaned the divisive nature of religion warning that it could tear Nigeria apart completely.

    He noted that culture is a more unifying factor in Nigeria adding that“even though the country  is diverse culturally, such diversity is the melting pot and strength of the country.”

    He said: “Religion has continued to divide us.  Religion is tearing us apart. We have to set aside religion, else, it will continue to divide and destroy us.”

    The Ooni maintained that culture remains the most unifying instrument in nation building, adding that, “traditional institutions play pivotal role in national security and development.”

    The Ooni told the participants that there is an urgent need to include traditional institutions in the process of law making saying that through  the adoption of traditional institutions as bridge builders and peacemakers, he has been able to ensure that the “Ife, Modakeke war will never come up again.”

    Earlier, the Commander of the National Defence College, Abuja, Rear Admiral Samuel Alade explained that the forum provide ample “opportunity to learn from the custodian and cherish traditional heritage.”

    While stressing on the imperative of the traditional institutions, Alade insisted they are dependable partners in national security.

    Also, Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, represented by Brig Gen Muhammed Sani Ahmed stated that the traditional institutions are “functional to conflict management and political stability in Nigeria.

    He commended the achievements   the Ooni of Ife has recorded   since he  ascended  the throne, adding that  his reign has brought about stability in the region.

  • Path to economic growth, by Ooni, others

    Path to economic growth, by Ooni, others

    How can Nigeria remain competitive in food  production? It is by improving supply, say experts.

    They spoke at the second  Mike Omotosho Annual Lecture in Abuja. The event had as theme: “Increased agricultural productivity for sustainable economic growth”.

    They   unfolded an agenda for  strengthening public and market institutions to achieve the goals for the nation ’s agricultural system.

    Delivering a keynote address at the event, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, called on Nigerians to return to agriculture, saying it is the only sustainable business capable of ending the recession in the country.

    According to the monarch, “you don’t need dollars to plant crops. Our land is fertile and you don’t even need to apply fertiliser in some places, so let us go back to the farm”.

    He said: “God has endowed Nigeria with the best weather in the world and the country’s agricultural products – cocoa, banana, plantain, vegetables, snails etc. are the best.”  He added that there were many areas to invest in agriculture.

    According to Oba Ogunwusi, agriculture provides the largest employment platform, adding that thousands of youths have been brought back to farms and there is peace in his kingdom.

    He urged Nigerians to promote the country’s products, stop blaming the government and do something to help themselves and the nation.

    All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) President, Kabir Ibrahim, who noted that  agriculture policies worked more in rhetorics than reality, said for the sector to perform effectively, 10 per cent  budgetary allocation as stipulated by the Maputo Declaration, should be adhered to.

    He said an enabling environment for production and value addition should be created for actors in the entire value chain to increase production and reduce wastage of farm produce.

    He urged the government to deploy effective combination of better incentives and streamlined services to stimulate  greater agricultural growth, create and maintain enabling environment for agribusiness and make the modernisation of the agro-food system smoother.

    Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG)Vice-President, Emmanuel Ijewere, urged stakeholders to carry out research on post-harvest losses.

    He called on the government to  provide quality seeds, fertiliser and other farm inputs to boost agricultural production.

    Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) Registrar, Prof. Eustace Iyayi, said research, proper policy co-ordination, sincerity and youth empowerment were strong ingredients for boosting agriculture production in the country.

    For him, attracting youths to the sector by transforming it into a business and offering them new avenues and opportunities to engage the agriculture value chain should be the focus of the government.

    He stressed the need to tackle problems associated with production through research.

    Fresh Direct Produce and Agro-Allied Services Chief Executive,  Oluwayimika Angel Adelaja, said inclusive and demand-driven innovation were tools that would  help farmers in production and marketing of their produce.

    According to her, empowering youths  to get  involved  in  agro-ventures offers lots of scope for entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.

    Experts from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Bank of Industry (BoI), Dr. Olasupo Musa and Mr. Cyril Anyanwu, agreed that agriculture needed proper financing, adding that their  banks were doing a lot to boost funding for farming and food processing.

    Earlier,  Mike Omotosho Foundation founder,  Dr. Mike Omotosho,  said  there was urgent need for increased agricultural productivity for local  consumption and export.

    Co-Chair of the occasion, Prof. Jacob Olupona, said the neglect of agriculture drove the nation to  recession, calling for agricultural revolution and farmers’ empowerment.

  • Ooni hails Lagos Assembly for promoting Yoruba culture

    Ooni hails Lagos Assembly for promoting Yoruba culture

    Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has called on Southwest state assemblies to emulate the Lagos State House of Assembly in promoting Yoruba language and culture.

    Oba Ogunwusi made the call when he led chiefs on a courtesy visit to the House yesterday, being a day for using Yoruba language to conduct House business.

    The monarch, who stressed the importance of preserving Yoruba language, cultural values and tradition, praised the Assembly for promoting the language.

    “I am very happy to see you using Yoruba language to conduct your activities. I enjoin all Houses of Assembly in Yoruba land to learn from the Lagos Assembly.

    “People in other climes honour and cherish Yoruba language, it is at home here that we don’t cherish what is ours. What is causing retrogression and defeat for us is that we don’t celebrate what is ours, our language and cultural values.

    “If we are united as a people and cherish what is ours, every other thing will be easy.

    “I urge you (Lagos Assembly) to endeavour to persuade other Houses of Assembly in Yoruba land to follow suit in the promotion of our heritage,” the Oba urged.

    The traditional ruler, who lamented that many children from the region could not speak and write the language, said efforts should be intensified to save the language and culture from going into extinction.

    According to him, God has blessed the Yoruba with Lagos State, adding that he succeeded in the state before being called to his ancestral home as monarch.

    Ogunwusi said that countries like Japan, Republic of China, and India among other nations had move up because of the importance attached to their indigenous language.

    The monarch said unity among Yoruba, economic development of Yoruba land and youth development had become very imperative for the nation to move forward.

    The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, praised the monarch for honouring the House for the second time.

    “We thank you for honouring our invitation during the House Summit on Yoruba language. You are a good father who visits his children.

    “You are the first monarch to sit with us like this to talk to us and people.

  • Documenting Ooni for posterity

    Documenting Ooni for posterity

    Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has celebrated his first anniversary on the throne. A researcher/author Oluwaseun Okunnuga, has written a compendium on the monarch’s efforts to unite the Yoruba. ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMAILA writes on  what inspired Okunnuga.

    A researcher, Oluwaseun Okunnuga, has taken note of the efforts of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II to unite the Yoruba race since the monarch mounted the throne over a year ago.
    Okunnuga captured the Ooni’s exploits in the last one year in a compendium entitled: Spiritual king of the source: On a mission beyond mortal dream.
    The Oonirisa’s ascension to the throne, Okunnuga said, could not be separated from his modest upbringing.
    According to him, the Oonirisa’s in just one year, is rewriting the history of the traditional stool. “His gospel of peace and his resilience to unite the troubled Yoruba race continues to reverberate among his kinsmen at the home front and in the Diaspora. He remains focused to his slogan: ‘One people: One tribe’ which continues to earn him accolades among his kinsmen.”
    Okunnuga praised the monarch’s diplomacy, saying he often leaves his spiritual abode in Ile-Ife to honour invitations from other kings, and using same avenue to rub minds with them on issues germane to the progress of the Yoruba race. Barely a year in the saddle, the Oonirisa has continued to extend olive branch to even older monarchs, especially across the Southwest region.
    According to him, “Yeye, as he was fondly referred to in his boyhood, was a ‘corporate’ cobbler at 14 years. Four years later, he hawked beans and soft drinks on the streets of Ibadan Oyo State. This, he did, to support his struggling parents who were fending for his four other siblings. In his 20S, he struggled to attain the status of a daring entrepreneur. Before hitting 30 however, he already had an agenda with fate which had catapulted him among a handful of successful realtors in Nigeria.
    Speaking with The Nation, the author, Okunnuga said the yet-to-be-released compendium contains articles, pictorials, monographs and speeches of Oonirisa from when he was enthroned.
    The book, according to Okunnuga, not only highlights Ooni’s quest for unity among the Yoruba, but also his numerous efforts towards reawakening the consciousness of Ile-Ife as the cradle of Yoruba race.
    The author said: “It chronicles the distinct, pacifist, and ethereally, yet mystifying actions of the monarch, along with his commendable representations on behalf of the Yoruba empire, the cultural renaissance through various strategic acculturation and social and economic development of Ile-Ife, his mindful efforts that has continued to raise people’s consciousness about the ‘source of civilisation’.”
    Okunnuga said the 10-chapter book espouses Oonirisa as both physical and spiritual idol, budding entrepreneur, a personality with humility and candour and an emblem of hope for the black continent. It also beams a searchlight on Ooni’s virtues and various escapades in realising his mission.
    Going down memory lane, Okunnuga said owing to illiteracy, many of African oral literature could not be properly documented for posterity. He lamented that worse still, the authenticity of some of those already in print are either being distorted, or contested simply because they were not captured at the time of existence. This, Okunnuga observed, is what his book hopes to correct.”Records are not kept simply to assist the weakness of memory, and to operate as guides to the future. I, therefore, owe it to myself and posterity to ensure that these facts are permanently placed on record; bringing together a compendium of scattered articles, monographs and sophisticated intellectual document, which, if not done now, could have been lost to the dustbin of history,” he said
    The author noted that despite the enormity of his power, Oonirisa has remained largely lowly, balancing his authority with social reality and spreading his arms to all regardless of individuals’ social, economic and religious affiliations. Okunnuga praised Oonirisa’s unparalleled generosity is fast reversing the age-long tradition where a king is expected to receive and receive while giving little or nothing back to his subjects.
    “He said: “Indeed, within a limited time, he has touched base with his people given his humanitarian activities which have transformed lives within and outside Ile-Ife. The Oonirisa has opened a new vista for unison of his countrymen and by extension the diaspora; but more important than this fact, he has continued to fortify the position of ‘Arole Oodua’ on the tablets of contemporary history as the preeminent keeper of  ‘seal’ of Yoruba nation.
    “It is instructive that God, in His infinite grace, got him out of his Lagos abode, crowning and instructing him to promptly reunite the Yoruba race; a mandate to spread Yoruba custom, cultures and their very way of life beneath the blue sky. Inevitably the celestial has further thrust tasks at him, and which he must accomplish. Even now, the cultural renaissance through various strategic acculturation and social economic development in Ile-Ife is unprecedented. His efforts towards building a thriving economy around ‘our enterprising culture’ and monuments has continued to raise people’s consciousness about Ile-Ife, the foremost cultural centre of the world.”
    The book, he said, will be ideal to students of History, African Studies and young and old seeking inspiration from individuals who rose to become role models.