The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ooni

  • Ooni of Ife, Ayade, Spike Lee, others for NAFCA honours

    Ooni of Ife, Ayade, Spike Lee, others for NAFCA honours

    His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II (Ooni of Ife), Governor Benedict Ayade,  Richard Mofe Damijo, Spike Lee, Dionne Warwick, Dr. Alexander Cummings, and Floyd Mayweather Jr, are among personalities to be honoured by The Nollywood & African Film Critics’ Awards (NAFCA)

    Founder and the CEO of Nollywood & African film Critics’ Awards, Victor O. Olatoye, said that over 100 films have been received from filmmakers across Africa and the Diaspora.

    “We are very proud of our filmmakers for the significant improvements we continue to see as we review these films. NAFCA 2016 is going to be our biggest award to date since we moved the award to Hollywood in 2014 and we are partnering with Hollywood producers including over 400 members of the press to spread the word.

    “We also have some dignitaries who will be honored at NAFCA 2015 His Imperial Majesty Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II(Ooni of Ife) , President Ali Bongo and Governor Benedict Ayade of Cross River State. Nollywood will also be represented and so far over 100 A-listers from the African film industry have requested invitations and hundreds from Hollywood,” he said.

    Dry, Boxing Day, Tribe, Mud, Return of the Don and Oxford Garden run away with this year’s nominations as the show holds on Saturday, Sept 17, at the Legendary Orpheum Theater, Los Angeles, California USA.

    NAFCA is an accolade bestowed by the Nollywood Film Critics, USA, a movie review organization for Nollywood and African films to recognize excellence of professionals in the African film industry. The annual formal ceremony started September 16, 2011 in North Carolina, USA.

  • Don’t relent on your unity mission, Ooni told

    Don’t relent on your unity mission, Ooni told

    The Alahun of Ahun in Efon, Ekiti State Jacob Adelowo has urged the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi to ensure the continued socio-political and cultural well-being of the Yoruba.
    He made the call during a courtesy visit to the Ife monarch recently. He added that the development of Yoruba land should be embraced by well-meaning Nigerians from the Southwest geo-political zone.
    Adelowo further explained that Yoruba land looks forward to the Ife traditional institution to ensure peace and progress for the people. He said Yoruba people are among the sophisticated ethnic groups in the world.
    Adelowo said the people of Ahun who came from Ife centuries ago, hold tenaciously to the strong belief that Ife is the cradle of civilisation, stressing that Ahun and other Yoruba people will continue to seek the blessings of Ife for better life.
    He said when Alahun Moka-Moye took members of the Ogbooru Adimula-Ilare Royal House from Ile-Ife to settle at Efon in Ekiti, the historical sojourn led to a well-established cultural tie among the people.
    Presenting a book entitled A Brief History of Ahun Efon to the Ooni, Adelowo said: “Alahun gave Efon its present name ‘Efon’ because the people were catching buffalos alive.
    “The buffalos usually prevented people from settling on the land and embark on their means of subsistence. Alahun Mokamoya was able to suppress the threat from the rampaging buffalos. In view of this exploit, the place became known as Efon land.”
    He added that the socio-cultural and religious links between Ife and Ahun were so enormous that, it will be a disservice to generations yet unborn if the history is not documented for posterity.
    “In fact, the Alahun moved from Ife to Ahun with all the monarchical paraphernalia. They are still replete in the Ahun traditional institution in the present circumstance.
    “I must say we thank your imperial Majesty for granting this delegation audience. We pray for wisdom, knowledge and understanding for you to play your fatherly role in the Yoruba nation.”
    Responding, Ooni Ogunwusi said the visit was timely, adding that he would always respond to whatever would lead to the unity and progress of the entire Yoruba land.
    He commended Adelowo, his wife Olori Olayinka who presented the book and other members, noting that the visit was a home-coming visit.
    He added that the people should feel free to make their proposals because the unity of the entire Yoruba land could not be superseded by any narrow interest.

  • Ooni endorses Arik Air

    Ooni endorses Arik Air

    Arik Air  has received a royal endorsement from the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II.

    Last Wednesday, the  foremost traditional ruler and a large entourage including some traditional rulers from the South West States demonstrated his support for Nigerian brands by flying  Arik Air from Lagos to New York on a tour of America.

    The First Class Monarch, who travelled from Lagos to New York aboard Arik Air’s A330-200 aircraft that departed the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos for JF Kennedy Airport, New York, said his patronage by flying the airline is to prove the point that you cannot be wrong by patronizing your own .

    He said :  “I am an apostle of made-in-Nigeria and that is why everything you see on me except my wrist watch are 100 per cent made in Nigeria”.

    Speaking with a team from Arik Air led by the Chief Pilot, Captain Adetokunbo Adekunbi, who were on hand to usher him to the departure lounge of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ooni Ogunwusi in company with his wife, Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi, said his decision to fly Arik Air to New York was a deliberate one aimed at reinforcing the need to patronize Nigerian brands.

    He commended the management of Arik Air for flying the flag of Nigeria high and pledged to use his position to get Nigerians to patronize the airline.

    Reiterating his foremost position in Yoruba land, Ooni Ogunwusi stated that his flying Arik Air with other traditional rulers will bring good fortune to the airline.

    The Ooni’s entourage numbering over 50 had not less than 10 other Yoruba traditional rulers from Oyo, Osun and Ekiti States.

  • Ooni tasks youths on Africa’s development

    Ooni tasks youths on Africa’s development

    OOni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has charged youths to champion Africa’s development. The Ooni spoke during a meeting in his palace with the leadership of the Dream Project for Africa (DPA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), dedicated to improving lives and communities in Africa.

    While endorsing the organisation’s efforts towards bringing development to the African nation, Oba Ogunwusi advised the organisation to continue in love and dedication to the improvement of the black nation.  He said: “It is highly commendable that our continent has a team such as yours (Dream Project for Africa). We need you to champion the cause and deliver the product of a fully developed society for the people of Africa.”

    The CEO, Dream Project for Africa, Nelson Oluwabukola Michael, presented the one-year cake anniversary of the organisation to the Ooni and asked for his blessings upon the team’s future projects.

    Dream Project for Africa began an international tour in May 2016. The group is connecting with communities in Nigeria and initiating programs such as Project 10/10 (Project Ten over Ten) designed to provide a system of welfare for the underprivileged in the African community. It also unveiled its No Child left behind Foundation intended to provide a full academic scholarship to children from poor homes. The organisation  has also concluded a campaign tagged: “End Sexual Harassment and Bribery in Nigerian Colleges”, which is rallying communities and the media to promote the Sexual Harassment In Tertiary Educational Institutions Prohibition bill sponsored by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege in the national assembly.

     

  • Ife indigenes host Ooni in US

    Ife indigenes host Ooni in US

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, will today be hosted to a grand reception by Ile-Ife indigenes in the United States of America (USA).

    Ogunwusi arrived the country with pomp on Thursday with his large entourage.

    He was received at the J. F. Kennedy Airport, New York, by leaders of Ife indigenes and other Nigerians.

    The over 3,000-strong union of Ife indigenes operating under the name Ife Ooye North America, is hosting the monarch at the Ukraine Center in the city of Somerset, New Jersey

    where over 500 members of the association will gather.

    The event will provide an opportunity for the monarch to meet his subjects one-on-one and interact with them on how to further develop Ile-Ife.

    Oba Ogunwusi will also visit the White House to receive an award and some other notable places in the country.

    The Chairman of the Grand Reception Planning Committee and one of the leaders of Ife Ooye North America group, Chief Olubunmi Awopileda, in a statement, expressed satisfaction with the level of preparation by his members to host the monarch.

    “All Ife natives in the US are excited and energized for this epochal occasion. It will be an occasion to showcase our very rich culture with our king as the symbol”. He said in the statement. “

  • Why Nigerians must embrace agric, by Aregbesola, Ogbeh, Ooni

    Why Nigerians must embrace agric, by Aregbesola, Ogbeh, Ooni

    OSUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Minister for Agriculture Chief Audu Ogbeh and Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi have urged Nigerians to embrace farming as an alternative to oil for economic recovery.

    They spoke at the 2016 flag-off of cashew planting season and roll out of cashew expansion programme facilitated by Oba Ogunwusi, at Ogudu Village, Ife-East Local Government Area of Osun State.

    According to Aregbesola, the only way for Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to national economic growth was for able-men and women to go back to farms.

    He called on political office-holders in the three tiers of government to stop relying on the “failed oil sector” and look for means to sustain the economy.

    The governor noted that there could be no better time than now for the citizenry to ensure that the economy move away from relying on oil to agriculture.

    He said: “I am particularly happy and enthralled at the efforts being made to promote the cultivation of cashew, noted for not just being a food crop, but a cash crop as well.

    “This is well timed at this season when it has become imperative to diversify our economy from its oil orientation to others more sustainable areas like agriculture.”

    He hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for living up to the expectations of Nigerians through his achievements in the last few months, saying the uniqueness of his good governance had been felt in all aspects of the economy, especially in agriculture.

    The governor, who described cashew as a money-making and health-promoting crop, said the state is ready to partner with any investor to boost the agricultural sector.

    He lauded Oba Ogunwusi for complementing his efforts to revamp agriculture in the state.

    He implored other traditional rulers to emulate the good gestures of Oba Ogunwusi in rendering social services to the society.

    The Minister of Agriculture, who described the flag-off ceremony as the beginning of agricultural revolution in the country, said the stage has already been set to ensure massive plantation of cocoa, plantain and banana across the nation.

    Ogbeh said the ministry was ready to embark on plantation of two million cashew every year for the next four years.

    The minister stressed that the purpose of quick intervention in agriculture by the Federal Government was to ensure that the nation regain its lost glory as the food basket of Africa.

    Oba Ogunwusi said 2,000 hectares of land had been acquired and cultivated for cashew plantation, adding that as soon as the people are showing interest in farming, more land would be released for that purpose.

    He was delighted on the commencement of this year 2016 Flag-off of Cashew Planting season in Ife, saying with that, Ife had proven its stand as the ancestral home of Yoruba nation.

    The royal father further noted that the flag-off ceremony was a clear testimony to efforts of the state government towards the resuscitation of agriculture.

    Oba Ogunwusi, who decried the slide in the oil sector, said the time has come for government at all levels to shift attention to agriculture in stimulating and reviving the nation’s economy.

  • Ooni preaches unity

    Ooni preaches unity

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi has urged unity among his people.

    He spoke when he visited one of  those who challenged him for the stool, Dr. Ramon Adedoyin.

    Adedoyin is the proprietor of Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    The visit has been described as  historic and symbolic.

    The visit to Adedoyin’s Castle of Peace residence was in continuation of the Ooni’s peace move to Yoruba elders.

    The visit was initiated by a prominent Ife indigene and president, Ife Business School, Dr. Ademakinwa Aderanti.

    The Ooni appealed to the people of Ife to join him in taking town to a greater high.

    He said he was happy to have met Dr. Adedoyin, the man he  had heard a lot of good things about,  especially, his  efforts in making Ile- Ife a  business hub. He hailed Adedoyin for establishing a university, a polytechnic, First Access Microfinance Bank, Hilton Hotels and others in Ife.

    Adedoyin thanked the Ooni for the visit , saying  he had no regrets setting up his businesses in Ile-Ife.

    Adedoyin promised to  support Oba Ogunwusi.

    “I’m not the Ooni of Ife. I promise to support you in all ramifications. I’m going to give a greater gift to all Ife people that nobody in history has ever given,” he said.

  • Alaafin, Ooni, Akiolu, scholars seek speaking of Yoruba in Southwest schools

    Alaafin, Ooni, Akiolu, scholars seek speaking of Yoruba in Southwest schools

    Three prominent traditional rulers in Yorubaland yesterday backed the speaking of Yoruba language in schools in Lagos State as well as other Southwest states.

    They spoke at a one-day summit of stakeholders at Agidingbi, Ikeja to deliberate on a bill to make the teaching and speaking of the language compulsory in primary, secondary schools as well as tertiary institutions in the state.

    The bill is before the state House of Assembly, which organised the summit under the Committee on Education, chaired by Lanre Ogunyemi.

    The Obas present at the event are: Ooni of Ife Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Alaafin of Oyo Lamidi Adeyemi and Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos.

    Oba Adeyemi hailed the organisers of the programme and said traditional rulers in Yorubaland would support any move to promote the language.

    According to him, the first person to do a research on the impact of languages to development was the late Prof. Babs Fafunwa, a former minister of education.

    “The first African bishop, Ajayi Crowther, translated Hebrew and English Bibles into Yoruba language and about 11 other languages,” he said, emphasising that language is culture.

    Ooni Ogunwusi urged Yoruba people to see themselves as leaders, stressing that God has blessed them abundantly.

    The Oba lamented that the language was not being promoted as it should be due to in-fighting and disunity.

    He added that this was causing a lot of setbacks for the race.

    He wondered why the Yorubas neglected the Ifa oracle, which he called the angel of wisdom that understands everything.

    “Ifa is the root of computers and telephones. The white men even named a computer ‘oracle’.

    “Presently, we are doing Ifa anniversary in Ile-Ife and a lot of white men are there now,” he said.

    Oba Akiolu advised that the programme should be replicated in the states in the Southwest.

    He urged everyone to pray for the success of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola attended the event. Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Lagos State Akinwunmi Ambode were represented.

    Aregbesola added that anybody attending school in Yorubaland should be made to study and acquire a certificate in Yoruba language before they can graduate.

    In his lecture at the event, notable Yoruba scholar, playwright and actor, Prof. Akinwunmi Ishola, said it was important for the people to promote the language since people are better recognised based on their language, culture and tradition.

    Ishola, whose lecture was presented by Prof. Duro Adeleke of University of Ibadan, noted that Yoruba is one of the three languages recognised as the major languages in Nigeria, with the rest being Igbo and Hausa.

    The eminent scholar, who spoke on the theme: “Making the teaching of Yoruba compulsory in public and private schools in Lagos State”, the scholar said India and Arabian countries that were colonised by the British did not neglect their local languages.

    He said: “We should speak Yoruba in our institutions. Yoruba is one of the languages recommended to be taught in our schools to promote unity and it occupies a prominent position among languages in the world.

    “If you lose your language, you would lose your culture. Language of a people has to do with their culture, language, dress, hairstyle and some other things.”

    Ishola explained that Yoruba is rich in greetings and that they have greetings for all occasions.

    He added that ‘Ifa’ was sent to the United Nations Education and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) in 2004 and that it was recognised as being rich in culture in 2005.

    He suggested that Yoruba language be made compulsory in primary and secondary schools and that it should be a general study in colleges of education, polytechnics and universities.

    He added that books written in foreign languages should be interpreted in the local language.

    Prof. Akinloye Ojo, who teaches Yoruba in one of the United States (U.S.) universities and Prof. Akanni Ige, who also lectures the language in Republic of Benin, urged the guests to make sure the language is upgraded and cherished.

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudasiru Obasa noted that the forum was organised by the House to restore the lost glory of Yoruba language.

    He regretted that most of the public and private schools did not follow the National Policy on Education on language.

    Ogunyemi said the forum was organised to emphasise the importance of teaching Yoruba language in primary and secondary schools.

    Other dignitaries present at the event include Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs. Idiat Adebule; the state governor’s wife, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; the lawmakers of the Assembly; Senator Olorunimbe Mamora; Prof. Sophie Oluwole; Prof. Harrison Adeniyi; Abayomi Kinyomi and others.

  • The beautiful world of Ooni’s new olori

    You cannot but envy the new life of Olori Wuraola Otitia’s new lofty title; servants at her beck and call, luxury cars, designer’s outfits and a constant air of sophistication that surrounds her are only few of the goodies that Olori Wuraola now enjoys.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi’s new wife needs little or no introduction. A socialite par excellence, the Olori is also a cousin of silver-spoon kid and Executive Director, Polo Limited, Jennifer Obayuwana. Fondly called Zynab by close friends, the entrepreneur, who used to run an upscale fashion outlet in Abuja, has become the most fashionable Olori in the South West on account of her high taste for fashion.

    Those who understand the language of fashion now look up to her as their mentor. Always dressed to the nines, always doning white, she has shown what creativity and fertile imagination can do. Without appearing monotonous and drab, her costumes are exciting. Many women now look forward to seeing her at events in company with her husband.

    Olori Wuraola has no doubt fitted into her new role with a classy demeanour and an admirable sense of style.

  • Ooni seeks support for female monarchs

    Ooni seeks support for female monarchs

    Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has called for support and due recognition for female traditional rulers.

    Oba Ogunwusi said Luwo Gbadiga and Moremi ruled Ife.

    Addressing a retinue of female traditional rulers who  visited him, the Ooni frowned at the continued suppression of female monarchs by their male counterparts.

    Accompanying the monarchs yesterday, Prof Fatai Olasupo of the Department of Local Government Studies, Faculty of Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said he came to show evidence on his research findings on the origin of the Yoruba and existence of female traditional rulers and their kingdoms in modern day Yorubaland.

    The don said it has been  established that the Yoruba  originated from Egypt and from the house of Jacob in Israel.

    Oba Ogunwusi said the problem of gender inequality in the society must be addressed.

    Speaking in Yoruba,  “bawo ni obo ti se ori ti inaki o se”(is there any difference between baboon and monkey?), the Ooni added that “What is sauce for the goose is good for the gander”.

    Present at the event were female traditional rulers from Ekiti, including Elizabeth Odeyemi (Eyelofi of Ilawe); Kokumo Bolatito (Eyegun of Ijero); Owolabi Bolanle (Eyejumu of Ifaki); Oguntoye (Eye-Oye); Ojo B.I (Eyelua of Orun); Fatomiluyi B. (Eyesemoe of Iropora); Aribisola Bosede (Eyeki of Ayegbaju); Akomolafe Rachael (Eyelobinrin of Osin); Akomolafe Kemi (Eyelowu of Ikota); Obembe Theresa (Eyerangun of Gogo); Bodunde Margaret (Abejoye of Omuo); Adeosun Olayinka (Eyegun of Ijurin); Ogunbamgbe Grace (Eyelara of Usi); Ajayi Magret (Eyejaka of Ora); Oyebade Elizabeth (Eyesemoe of Irare); Ojerinde J.O (Yeye Aro of Ilasa); Dada Ademiluyi (Eyelogundu of Aramoko); Fadare H.M (Eyemope of Tuoke-Oro); Bamgboye F.M (Eyelaye of Ire); Egunjobi Alice (Eyebaisa of Iloro); Fasanmi Florence (Eyelobinrin of Ilupeju); Dahunsi Julianah (Eyelobinrin of Imesi); Ajayi Florence (Eyegun of Temidire); and Akintayo Morenike (Ameri of Ijan), among others.