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Tag: Ooni

  • How contestants for Ooni’s deputy Obalufe were screened

    Facts have emerged on how an 11-member committee screened the 10 contestants for the vacant stool of Obalufe Iremo, the head of Ife kingmakers.

    The Obalufe is second in command to the Ooni.

    Ten princes from the Aga Ruling House had signified intention for the vacant position after the death of Oba Solomon Omisakin.

    Some of the contestants are protesting against the Ayoola Olafiranye-led committee after Elu Abayomi came first with 115 points, Sunday Oladimeji Fadire 98 points and Segun Adeyeloja 96 points.

    They accused the committee, which was yet to make its report public, of not complying with the tradition that frowns on picking a candidate from female lineage, when there are qualified ones from the male lineage.

    But a contestant said before the selection process began, a meeting was conveyed where it was resolved that aspirants from both male and female lineages should be allowed to vie for the post.

    Abayomi said because Jaojo, one of the ruling houses, is a female progenitor, it implies that the arrangement al binitio has no special consideration for patriarchal system.

    According to him, “two Obalufes before Oba Omisakin were from female lineage and contributed immensely to Ile-Ife. So, no declaration forbids candidates from the female lineage.

    “After the committee was inaugurated to select the most qualified candidate(s), it began work. Forms were sold for N100, 000 while required credentials were also submitted.

    “Ten aspirants were deemed eligible. As part of the selection process, the committee saw the need for the aspirants to sign a MoU with the following terms:

    “That the committee was assessed and accepted by all aspirants as competent to do the job.

    “That the ten aspirants were eligible to vie for the post.

    “That the decision of the committee shall be binding on all aspirants. That all the aspirants will embrace peace before, during and after the exercise.

    “After the passage rites of Oba Omisakin, the committee received a communiqué from the government to select the next Obalufe. It fixed December 31 for the final screening.

    “The event was closely observed and monitored by appropriate authorities, such as the executive secretaries of both Ife Central and Ife East Local Governments, the head of local government administration (HLA) , the area commander, Moore police station, and other security agencies.

    “Nine aspirants appeared for screening; one abstained for personal reasons.”

    He said if condemnation of the outcome of the committee’s work persists, the exercise can be decalred inconclusive.

  • Ooni, Afenifere Renewal Group call for Yoruba unity

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, and the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) have called for unity among the Yoruba.

    The frontline monarch spoke at his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State, when he hosted During ARG members.

    Oba Ogunwusi said peace was an essential nutrient that would help Nigeria and the Yoruba race to grow.

    The monarch noted that one of the major things he set to achieve during his reign is unity among the Yoruba, adding that peace would be achieved when Yoruba leaders work together.

    He said: “I have been praying to God for unity among the Yoruba race and in the land because our unity is germane to the progress of the world. The Yoruba are gifted and will always make impact anywhere they go. Now, there is a challenge about who will make sacrifices by leading others to resolve crisis among the Yoruba, mostly as a result of our bravery.

    “Love and unity among the Yoruba will bring about many positive things. It is time for unity to return to Nigeria and we must all return to the source to achieve it. If we forget our source, we may go astray. To bring love, I have decided to work with leaders in Yoruba land.

    “Growth is not difficult in Yoruba land; unity is the challenge. With my emergence, unity is returning to Ife and it is gradually spreading to other places across Yoruba land.”

    The head of ARG delegation Olawale Oshun said the focus of the meeting was to look into how unity could return to Yoruba land and the development the race should witness during Oba Ogunwusi’s tenure.

    Oshun urged traditional rulers to work for peace among the Yoruba in the country and in the Diaspora.

    He said: “It is important that across the Yoruba-speaking area there should be unity. When there is unity, there will be peace and when there is peace, you can facilitate development.

    “We are interested in the development of our people. We want to stop managing rancour; we want to manage development and growth. We want peace – and not rancour – to enhance positive things.”

     

  • Ooni set to transform Ife to tourist destination

    BEFORE his crowning as the Ooni of Ife, Oba  Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11,   had always shown deep passion and knowledge of tourism and how the industry could positively transform a host community and empower the indigenes of the place.

    It is with this knowledge that he transformed a hitherto virgin land with little economic activities into a prime tourism site in Lagos. The Ooni built the Inagbe Grand Resort to become one of the  prime resorts in Lagos. It is an  all-inclusive hideaway that offers visitors opportunity to enjoy nature at its best.

    On one side of the resort is the calm lagoon front, and on the other side, the blue Atlantic Ocean front. The resort is  complemented by first class facilities and services. The Ooni achieved this  using locally sourced materials for the design, construction and decoration.

    It was, therefore, not surprising that the first area of interest to the new Ooni on ascending the throne of his forefathers was how to transform the ancient city of Ile Ife into a destination capable of attracting a large number of tourists.

    The city of Ile-Ife is blessed with rich historical sites and artifacts to attract a large number of inbound tourists to the city. Many argue that the town ought to be a  UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, some of the ingredients to transform the city into a tourist destination are still not in place.

    Top among these is the number of bed spaces available in the city and the quality.  There is also the need for the sites to be streamlined  and value added by providing  other facilities capable of keeping the tourists engaged after visiting the sites.   These, among others, are the areas the Ooni is about to focus on to transform the ancient city.

    To this end, the Ooni, through his newly appointed chief tourism adviser and consultant, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, who is the founder of La Campagne and Motherland Beckons, disclosed that Oba Ojaja 11 is set to declare Ife a tourism zone on February 26 and to kick-start the development of the zone into a tourism destination of world-class standard has concluded plans to build a N7.6 billion Ife Grand Resort.

    Also in line with his resolve to foster peace and unity amongst his people, a major ingredient for sustainable tourism development, and put to rest the ghost of the over 200 years old conflict between Ife – Modakeke, the Ooni over the week brushed aside all protocols and barriers to attend the Modakeke Day celebration even as he announced the employment of 20, 000 widows from the over 40, 000 widows recorded in the last Ife – Modakeke crisis to work in the tourism zone project with a promise to absolve the remaining 20, 000 widows alongside the teeming population of unemployed as the project gathers traction.

    The Ooni’s attendance at the Modakeke Day celebration has been hailed by many people as a deft move by the Kabiyesi to finally bury the Ife – Modakeke intermittent conflict that has lingered for over 200 years as this has never been done by any Ooni in the past 200 years, as attending Akoraye Day in Modakeke, is a way of not only healing the wounds of the past, but also clearing the negative past and replacing it with a prosperous future through tourism.

    As part of the grand design to secure life and property in Ife, the Kabiyesi has approved the construction of a watch tower with standby rapid response squad that is fully equipped and which response time to any distress call should not be more than 10 minutes and this time frame hopefully would be cut to five minutes in the days ahead.

    Speaking on these new initiatives by the Ooni, Akinboboye, who has also announced the Kabiyesi as the grand patron of Motherland Beckons, said it is a grand design by the Ooni to redesign the tourism map and agenda of Ife by drawing the attention of Africans, the Diaspora and the entire globe to it in a way that has never been done in the history of the former Ife Kingdom, which is not only regarded as the Source of Yoruba but the cradle of South West civilisation.

    According to him, ‘‘the glory of Ife is finally coming to light. Ife is now the new destination in Africa as the sleeping giant of tourism in Africa wakes up to a new reality,’’ insisting that henceforth the whole world would come to Ife on religious, cultural, economic,  educational and archaeological  tourism, among others, as the new Ooni constructs a new agenda for  the kingdom of Ile Ife.

    Akinboboye revealed that the declaration ceremony and the kick-off for Motherland Beckons has been fixed for February 27 with the president of Black Lawyers in England and Wales, Peter Herbert, billed to deliver the keynote address, while the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) America, among a host of other dignitaries are expected at the event.

    This development from the palace, he said, is in partnership with La Campagne with Motherland Beckons serving as a multi – purpose vehicle for bringing to fruition the agenda of the Ooni.

  • Ife, Modakeke‘ll live together in peace, says Ooni

    Ife, Modakeke‘ll live together in peace, says Ooni

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, yesterday said Ife and Modakeke have resolved to live together in peace and harmony.

    Speaking during a “Thank You” visit with Ife traditional rulers and chiefs to Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the Government House in Osogbo, the state capital, Oba Ogunwusi told the governor that the two communities have also agreed not to engage in rivalry or war.

    The Ooni called on the governor to support his initiative, the House of Oduduwa, inaugurated as a trust fund to assist the youth and to rebuild the ruins of war in the areas.

    He praised the governor for promoting the Yoruba culture and ethos by adopting the Oranmiyan title.

    Oba Ogunwusi called on his chiefs to pray for the governor for bringing unity to the cradle of Yorubaland.

    The monarch also urged the people to pay their taxes for government to be able to give them the new lease of life they desire.

    According to the monarch, payment of tax will, no doubt, help the government to continue with developmental projects.

    He assured the governor of the support of Ife people, saying the ancient town will not depend solely on government for development.

    He noted that the time has come for all to join hands with the government to bring Osun to a place of prosperity and abundance.

    His words: “We are all here to show our appreciation to the governor, I use this opportunity to say that our relationship will continue to grow, what we have in Ife is great to the extent that foreigners acknowledge it.

    “Europeans have been to Ife and they likened us to the Roman Empire and other empires of the world, the time has come for all and sundry to see the greatness of Ife and Osun.

    “Leaders in Ife are closer to the people than government. I want to assure that the change and development that has come to Ife will spread across Osun.

    “I don’t want to believe that it will be difficult for our people in Osun to pay tax, the only way we can help government is by paying tax.”

    Responding, the governor urged the Ooni to use his position to unite all Yoruba sons and daughters all over the world.

    Aregbesola called on traditional rulers to help the government in educating people on the need to pay taxes.

    The governor, who asked cocoa farmers not to sell their produce out of Osun, noted that for the state to experience abundance, citizens and residents alike must be ready to fulfill their civic duties to government by promptly paying their taxes.

    He emphasised that the time has come for everybody to realise that Osun has nothing serious to expect from the federal allocation accruing to state monthly.

     

  • Ooni unveils plans for youth in sports, tourism

    Ooni unveils plans for youth in sports, tourism

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi,  has dedicated the New Year to youths with a promise to engage three thousand of them at the ongoing construction of a Tourist Resort in the ancient town.

    In a statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, the monarch said that his plan for 2016 was to turn around the fortune of the youths.

    According to him, he would soon unfold a new programme that will “open a vista of hope in terms of gainful employment for the youths.”

    Felicitating with the people of Ile-Ife, Osun State and Nigeria for the New Year 2016, the Arole Oodua said:  “No fewer than 3,000 youths would be engaged at the ongoing project site of Ife Grand Resort spanning over 1000 hectares of land to provide job opportunities for the people.”

    Oba Ogunwusi said that his focus was beyond the shores of Ile-Ife, disclosing that an arrangement had reached advanced stage to take the unemployed youths off the streets.

    He noted his efforts were geared towards checkmating the growing crime rate in the society.

    He said: “40 squares miles of land have been acquired at Ife reserves to drive massive agricultural revolution, which would pave way for cocoa, oil palm and rubber plantation. And this scheme would also create job opportunities for nothing less than 20,000 people. I have also set up a working committee on the Youth Sports Drive and Talents Hunt, which is being coordinated by the renowned former Super Eagles coach, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde and ex-Secretary General of the Nigerian Football Association (NFA), Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi. The programme will come out with a template of bringing back the old glory of sport competition. It will be tagged   Oduduwa Cup and it will take place in all parts of the Yorubaland.”

  • Ooni condoles with Makinde’s family

    Ooni condoles with Makinde’s family

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on Monday, expressed sadness on the death of Rep. Dejo Makinde.

    This is contained in Ooni’s condolence message sent to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ile-Ife by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Moses Olafare.

    He said that Makinde, who represented Ife Central Constituency in Osun House of Assembly, was a gentleman endowed with attributes of “Omoluabi’’.

    According to him, his positive impacts will remain indelible on the minds of not only inhabitants of Ile-Ife but the entire state of Osun, having patriotically served as Ife Central Local Government boss.

    The monarch said that “although he left us when his courage and carriage would have been of immense benefit to Ile-Ife and Osun, we pray his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”

  • How to develop local economy, by Ooni

    How to develop local economy, by Ooni

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has said there are many ways local resources can be used to develop economies of towns and communities to galvanise the larger economy.

    Ogunwusi, in a chat with The Nation, explained that he had begun activities to show how local resources could transform the economy of Ile-Ife through manufacturing of equipment and creation of services to empower locals and attract people to the ancient town.

    According to the monarch, he would use enough natural and human resources to create employment and promote local resources and talents.

    Explaining his three-prong approach, he said: “Socially, we need to bring modernity to our social activities to the level that they will attract people to Ife. We need to blend the two properly in our vision for the new Ife in the age of social media. We have been trying to work on that and we have not lost focus of the values of our tradition; we are not going to lose that.

    “We will blend it with the recent social norm and it will start from the area of social media; we will let people see things. The second one is the economic aspect of our development. I don’t talk the talk; I walk the talk.

    “To the glory of God, we are using the raw materials to make economic impact in the lives of youths, Ile-Ife, the state and nation.

    “We are blessed in this country with everything. We don’t need to go too far. There is nothing missing in Nigeria. Honestly, we should not be suffering. The country should not be a consuming nation but a productive economy. The dollar will come down naturally if we produce.

    “The third one is tradition. There are so many traditional values that I will propagate. Our generation does not even understand Yoruba. There are several children who don’t understand their language.

    “I want to bring the good old days back with empowerment programmes. I want to lead by example; I want to practise what I preach. In the palace now, we are building locally-made equipment – to process garri, cassava, groundnut oil, soya beans and soap. They have started working. We displayed those equipment here and the town is excited because things have continued to  unfold and crime rate is reducing. This throne is a call to service; it is a call to humanity. It is a call to uplift the people.”

    Ogunwusi is building a multi-billion naira resort in Ile-Ife.

  • Ooni felicitates with Christians, Muslims on Christmas, Maolud 

    Ooni felicitates with Christians, Muslims on Christmas, Maolud 

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has rejoiced with Muslims and Christians in Nigeria as they celebrate the births of Prophet Muhammed and the Lord Jesus Christ. In a congratulatory message by his Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, the Ooni said he shared in their joy but advised them to emulate the two prophets’ virtues by living together in peace and harmony.

    The monarch noted the co-incidence in this year’s celebration of the births of the two religious leaders, saying the global celebrations of the Maolud Nabbiy and Christmas could never have been by accident.

    According to him: “It is rather an act of God, divinely designed as a pointer to the imperative need for religious tolerance.

    This, no doubt, will surely bring harmony and unity that guarantees a peaceful co-existence if we must progress as a people created by the  Almighty God who remains the our only owner.”ý

     

  • My plans for Ile-Ife, by Ooni

    My plans for Ile-Ife, by Ooni

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has spoken of his plans to facilitate the building of an international airport in the ancient town.

    He said this in an exclusive interview with The Nation.

    Ooni Ogunwusi said rather than talk about his plans, what he has started in the town should give a good insight to his determination to change the economic, social and cultural landscape of Ile-Ife within the first 10 years of his reign.

    He said: “In 10 years, it will be obvious we are making progress. In the few days that I ascended the throne, you can see what has been done. The most important thing is unity and peace. That is key.

    “If there is peace and unity, a lot of things will be happening, naturally.

    “So, in 10 years, development will be so obvious; international airport, bringing everybody to come and see the glory, history and tradition of this land. Yes, an international airport.

    “It will happen, yes! One of the best international airports in the world will be here. I am working towards it and so help me God.”

    The monarch began building a multi-billion Naira resort in the town last month.

    Over 75 per cent of the materials being used and the services offered for the construction of the massive resort are sourced from Ile-Ife.

    The effort, according to him, has created jobs for over 3,000 people, particularly youths in the town.

    Besides, he tarred some roads and distributed several electric transformers to communities.

     

  • Cultural splendour at Ooni’s coronation

    Cultural splendour at Ooni’s coronation

    The ancient town of Ile-Ife practically was on Monday throbbing with dignitaries as Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi received the staff of office as the 51st Ooni of Ife amid pomp and ceremony, writes BISI OLADELE

    The town beamed at the seams with unprecedented crowd of top government functionaries, governors, hundreds of traditional rulers and other renowned Nigerians.

    But rather than anger in the face of indigenes, happiness gripped them with a strong fist, leaving them with all smiles and gyrations to different types of music across the town to celebrate the coronation of a new king.

    It was the peak of the week-long celebration of the coronation of Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi as the 51st Ooni of Ife. The ceremony kicked off on Monday, November 30 and ended on Monday, December, 7.

    The Monday ceremony, during which Oba Ogunwusi received the staff of office, had been preceded by the inauguration of the new monarch’s Ife Grand Resort and Leisure valued at N7.6 billion.

    The event came after 35 years of normal life, when installation of the immediate past monarch, Oba Okunade Sijuwade attracted similar crowd.

    Since Monday, November, 30, the town had been wearing a bright new look with publicity materials, including billboards and glittering banners adoring major points and roundabouts in the town.

    At the Enuwa Palace and other chosen points in the town, beautiful culture of the Yoruba was on display to convey Ile-Ife as the cradle of the Yoruba and the starting point of civilisation.

    Guests arrived early to beat vehicular and human traffic but the gain was a little as the crowds kept surging as the day grew.

    At exactly 1:47 p.m., Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, presented the staff of office to the new Ooni. Then, jubilation erupted in the large artificial hall and all across the town.

    The governor had, earlier in his speech, described the Ooni throne as a hugely important one which attracted eminent personalities to the town.

    He pointed out to the monarch that the throne would fetch him tremendous power but which also comes with huge responsibilities.

    Aregbesola, who stressed that Ile-Ife is the ancestral home of all Yoruba, urged Ogunwusi to allow justice, fairness and love for his people be his guiding principles.

    To achieve it, the governor advised him to embrace government of inclusion where all his subjects would have their say without fear or threat. He added that he was obliged to listen to them and harmonise all counsels to arrive at the best decisions for his people if he must succeed and sustain the love his people have for him.

    While emphasising that only God enthroned both traditional and other leaders, the governor praised Ife kingmakers for painstakingly selecting the Oba among several aspirants to the throne.

    His words: Dear Kabiyesi, you must note that, as a king, you will have tremendous power; but it also comes with huge responsibilities. It is important that justice and fairness should guide you in the discharge of your responsibilities. People expect you to rule with wisdom and the fear of God. A king is expected to unite Ife kingdom. Let this unity emerge from inclusiveness and pursuit of the good of your subjects.”

    He also urged him to draw wisdom from the chiefs as well as to include youths in his plans to enable them to direct their energy for the progress and development of the town.

    In his speech, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by Vice-Presidents Yemi Osibajo, described the Ooni throne as a very powerful position for the Yoruba race.

    He also emphasised that the position, however, brings a lot of responsibilities requiring courage and loyalty to the truth and preservation of the culture of the Yoruba people.

    He pointed out that Ile-Ife was blessed with a humble king. He prayed that Ogunwusi’s heart would be open to God always.

    Speaking on behalf of all traditional rulers in attendance, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad 111 said traditional rulers were happy to be part of history.

    In his maiden speech, Oba Ogunwusi emphasised that he was not interested in fighting over supremacy but for the unity of all Yoruba. He pointed out that he was already in good relationship with many obas in Lagos, Ogun and Ekiti states, stressing that working for the unity of all Yoruba all over the world would be his top priority.

    Oba Ogunwusi also hinted of his plan to develop programmes that will help youths in realising their ambitions in life. He said unemployment has become a time bomb in Nigeria which requires urgent attention.

    He revealed that he has engaged over 3,000 youths in the construction of the Ife Grand Resort and Leisure since about three weeks, adding that the development has since reduced crime rate in the town.

    Many indigenes who spoke to reporters affirmed their strong belief in Oba Ogunwusi’s ability to transform Ile-Ife within a short period.

    Governors of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Lagos, Mr Akinwumi Ambode and Ogun, Senator Ibikunle Amosun were part of the historic ceremony. The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, were among other dignitaries at the Ooni’s palace.

    Traditional rulers from across Yoruba land, Edo, Delta, Kwara, Kogi and Lagos states witnessed event.

    The Obong of Calabar and Deyin of Agbor, Dr Daniel Ikechukwu, who became king when he was two-and-a-half years old, were also at the ceremony.

    Others dignitaries included former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola;  former governor of Ekiti State,  Mr. Segun Oni; former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala; Lt. Gen. Alabi Akinrinade (rtd); former Military Governor of old Oyo State, Maj. Gen. David Jemibewon; a former President of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Chief John Odeyemi; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Alex Duduyemi; the Managing Director of First Bank Nigeria Plc, Mr Bisi Onasanya and a former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma

    The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele was represented by one of his deputies, Mr Adebayo Adelabu while the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye was represented by Prof. Ilori Akindele.

    The Ogunsua of Modakeke, Francis Adedoyin, was also in attendance with Chief Adegboye Onigbinde.

    Traditional rulers at the event included the Owa Obokun of Ijesa land, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran and several royal fathers from Osun State. The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Samuel Odulana was represented by High Chief Lekan Balogun while the Alake of Egba land was also represented.

    Several obas from across Yoruba land also attended the event.

    Inside and outside the hall and the centres chosen for the event across the town, culture was on display as cultural troupes were handy to entertain the guests. Traditional groups, associations, market women, artisans and ordinary folks were also present.

    Drummers and commercial drivers were also in hysteric mood as they celebrated the crowning of the new Ooni. Oba Ogunwusi has promised to take economic and social development of Ile-Ife as one of his main priorities.