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Tag: Ooni

  • Ooni a pan African king, says Ebenco MD

    Ooni a pan African king, says Ebenco MD

    The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ebenco Global Link Nigeria Ltd, Dr. Ebenezer Oluwagbemiga, has praised the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, as a pan-African monarch, who represents the interest of Nigerians at home and abroad.

    He said this has endeared the Ooni of Ife to Nigerians across faith and ethnic lines.

    The MD of the oily waste management firm said: “Since the Ooni ascended the throne of his ancestors, he has consciously remained a messenger of moderation and tolerance in a country where the polity is charged with petty histrionics and polarising acrimonies

    Read Also: Ooni to Southeast manufacturers: Solution to insecurity, unemployment in your hands

    “The high standard leadership of your Imperial Majesty has been instrumental in conflict prevention, resolution and community development across the nation as a genuine national stature that transcends sectarian divides.”

    Wishing him more years on the throne, Oluwagbemiga said: “We trust that God will continue to gift the Imperial Majesty with good health and increased wisdom and knowledge as you steer the ship of the Oduduwa Kingdom.”

  • Ooni, wife secure release of five inmates in Abuja

    Ooni, wife secure release of five inmates in Abuja

    Ooni of Ife and Convener, Hope Alive Initiative for Africa, His Regal Majesty, Arole Kabiyesi Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has secured the release of five inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Kuje, Abuja.

    The Ooni alongside his wife visited the facility in commemoration of his 8th year anniversary on the throne of his fathers.

    Read Also: Reps committee expresses anger as INEC fails to appear for Budget defence

    He paid the fines for the five inmates’ freedom as part of his commitment to the service of humanity.

    The Ooni said his visit was necessitated by his empathy for humanity and his belief in giving second chance to people to correct their mistakes.

  • Pate, Ooni, others to headline Ondo Diaspora Summit

    Pate, Ooni, others to headline Ondo Diaspora Summit

    The Ondo State Government had wrapped plans to host a summit of its Diaspora people living across the world.

    The event, scheduled to hold virtually, will be hosted on Saturday, December 2, for those in North and South America and Saturday, December 9, 2023 for those in Europe and other parts of the world.

    The Diaspora Summit is an offshoot of the Develop Ondo Conference, which took place in Akure earlier this year.

    The summit would make Ondo indigenes across the globe aware of investment opportunities in the state, thus fostering an avenue for mutual growth and sustained development.

    The event will be hosted by Prince Boye Ologbese, the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Diaspora Engagement in Ondo State, while Governor Rotimi Akeredolu will be the Chief Host, delivering the keynote address.

    Read Also: Fire guts shops, others in Delta

    The event will be anchored by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, Ms. Rinsola Abiola, whose office is also providing technical assistance on the planning of the diaspora summit.

    The event boasts a lineup of notable government officials at the federal and state levels, and highly respected private sector players and traditional rulers.

    The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, who is one of the biggest real estate investors in Ondo State, is billed to speak on the opportunities available in the real estate sector.

    Also to speak at the event are minister of interior,Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who, until his appointment, was a member of the House of Representatives from Ondo State, and Ayodele Olawande, the Minister of State for Youth Development and youngest member of the Federal Executive Council.

    The Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, is also expected to speak on the health sector, a crucial sector which many Ondo diasporans work in.

    Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Director-General of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, is to speak on the importance of sustained diaspora engagement and Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), will speak on investment opportunities available in the tech sector and how Nigerians living abroad can harness these opportunities.

    Development partners such as the UNDP will also be represented at the summit and Seye Oyeleye, Director General of the DAWN Commission, will feature as a panelist.

    Officials of the Ondo State government built to participate in the summit include the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral resources, Engr. Razaq Obe, the Commissioner for Information, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, the Director General of the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), Gbenga Badejo, the Ondo State Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Raimi Aminu, and the Head of Business Development at ONDIPA, Femi Akarakiri.

    Others include Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Adedayo Faduyile OON, Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Ajibayo Adeyeye, Special Adviser on Special Duties, Olumbe Akinkugbe, Chairman of the State Information Technology Development Agency and Peace Odili, Special Assistant to the Governor on Innovation and Partnerships.

    Private sector players billed to feature as panelists at the summit include Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, leading Nigerian tech entrepreneur and Founding Partner at Future Africa, Folajomi Adegbulugbe, Director of Business at RBD Limited, Joel Ogunsola, Founder of Prunedge, and Prince Adebiyi Ayeni, who serves in the management team of leading real estate company, Jide Taiwo & Co.

  • Pate, Ooni, others to speak at Ondo Diaspora Summit

    Pate, Ooni, others to speak at Ondo Diaspora Summit

    The Ondo state government has wrapped plans up to host a summit of its Diaspora people living across the world.

    The event, scheduled to be held virtually, will be hosted on Saturday, December 2, for those in North and South America and Saturday, December 9, 2023, for those in Europe and other parts of the world.

    The Diaspora Summit is an offshoot of the ‘Develop Ondo Conference’, which took place in Akure earlier this year.

    The summit aims to make Ondo indigenes across the globe aware of investment opportunities in the state, thus fostering an avenue for mutual growth and sustained development.

    The event will be hosted by Prince Boye Ologbese, the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Diaspora Engagement in Ondo state, while Governor Rotimi Akeredolu will be the Chief Host, delivering the keynote address.

    The event will be anchored by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, Ms. Rinsola Abiola, whose office is also providing technical assistance on the planning of the Diaspora Summit.

    Read Also: Ooni visits Gbaramatu Kingdom warns against desecration of traditional institutions

    The event boasts a lineup of notable government officials at the federal and state levels, and highly respected private sector players and traditional rulers.

    The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, who is one of the biggest real estate investors in Ondo state, is billed to speak on the opportunities available in the real estate sector.

    Also to speak at the event are the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who, until his appointment, was a member of the House of Representatives from Ondo state, and Ayodele Olawande, the Minister of State for Youth Development and youngest member of the Federal Executive Council.

    The Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, is also expected to speak on the health sector, a crucial sector in which many Ondo Diasporans work.

    Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Director-General of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, is to speak on the importance of sustained diaspora engagement and Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), will speak on investment opportunities available in the tech sector and how Nigerians living abroad can harness these opportunities.

    The development partners such as the UNDP will also be represented at the summit and Seye Oyeleye, Director General of the DAWN Commission, will feature as a panellist.

    The officials of the Ondo State government built to participate in the summit include the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Razaq Obe, the Commissioner for Information, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, the Director General of the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), Gbenga Badejo, the Ondo State Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Raimi Aminu, and the Head of Business Development at ONDIPA, Femi Akarakiri.

    Others include Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Adedayo Faduyile OON, Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Ajibayo Adeyeye, Special Adviser on Special Duties, Olumbe Akinkugbe, Chairman of the State Information Technology Development Agency and Peace Odili, Special Assistant to the Governor on Innovation and Partnerships.

    Private sector players billed to feature as panelists at the summit include Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, leading Nigerian tech entrepreneur and Founding Partner at Future Africa, Folajomi Adegbulugbe, Director of Business at RBD Limited, Joel Ogunsola, Founder of Prunedge, and Prince Adebiyi Ayeni, who serves in the management team of leading real estate company, Jide Taiwo & Co.

    Also featuring are key members of the Ondo diaspora community such as Kehinde Olateju, CEO of Business Analytic Consulting, Dr. Akinloye Olorungbemi, DPT, CEO of Optima Physical Therapy, and Dr. Oluremi Adewale, Founder and CEO of Women Focus Canada.

    The summit is being organized by the Ondo State Government with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the European Union through the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) Phase II programme led by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy, and supported by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs (OSSAP-SDGs).

  • Women embedded with witchcraft – Ooni

    Women embedded with witchcraft – Ooni

    Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has hosted the cast of the famed reality show Real Housewives of Lagos (RHOL).

    In an Instagram video posted on Thursday, members of the reality show paid a courtesy visit to the monarch at his palace.

    He shared witchcraft knowledge with them and how women are very effortlessly manipulative in nature.

    The video features notable people such as Iyabo Ojo, Chioma Ikokwu, and Tania Omotayo within the king’s palace.

    Read Also: Ooni visits Gbaramatu Kingdom warns against desecration of traditional institutions

    The Ooni’s queen, Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, greeted the guests and advised them on how to address the King on arrival at the palace.

    The Ooni of Ife argued in an entertaining conversation with the Real Housewives of Lagos cast that women in general carry witchcraft spirits and are manipulative.

    He said: “Every woman has that witchcraft spirit in them but you know people just probably think it is a negative thing but witchcraft is all about manipulation.

    “If you know how to manipulate very well. And that’s the power of a woman. You have a natural manipulative spirit and you should manipulate in a very positive way.”

  • Ooni visits Gbaramatu Kingdom warns against desecration of traditional institutions

    Ooni visits Gbaramatu Kingdom warns against desecration of traditional institutions

    The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has called on governments at all levels to realise the need for local collaboration in nation-building.

    He stated this Wednesday evening, November 22, when he stormed Gbaramatu Kingdom in a historic visit to the Pere, His Majesty Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketekpe Agadagba, at his palace in Oporoza, Warri Southwest council area of Delta State.

    Ooni, who visited along with other monarchs, spoke extensively on the relationship between the Ijaw nation and the Oduduwa people, calling for synergy between both kingdoms.

    He noted the importance of Gbaramatu Kingdom to Nigeria’s economy, considering its strategic location between two major terminals (Escravos and Forcados) in the world.

    He further thanked the Gbaramatu monarch for doing a great job in protecting the nation’s assets by involving the locals in the surveillance of the oil pipelines in the region.

    The Ooni said: “We are also here to extend our fraternal relationship between the people of Oduduwa nation and your sons and daughters. We are here to fraternize with you and also tell the government that there is nothing as good as working with the local people.

    “We have seen the great things you have done in this Kingdom by bringing back the natural habitat to the creeks and we are very appreciative of all that you have been doing. We also want to appreciate you for getting the locals involved in the surveillance of our nation’s assets.”

    He prayed for the people, the kingdom, and the Niger Delta region to continue to enjoy peaceful coexistence, which he pointed out as important to national development.

    In his remarks, His Majesty Oboro-Gbaraun II, thanked the Ooni of Ife for the visit, describing it as a long-awaited one, which has brought blessings to the kingdom.

    He, however, tackled Nigerian politicians for looking down on traditional institutions which according to him, have been instrumental to ensuring peace in the country.

    He lamented that despite the huge economic contribution of the Ijaws and Niger Delta entire in general to the nation, the people continue to suffer untold hardships.

    The Pere stated that the traditional rulers in the country are the ones who feel the pain most whenever there is insecurity in the nation.

    The Gbaramatu monarch said: “We feed the people of this country but we have been oppressed. However, we are doing our best in our Kingdom extending hands of fellowship to other kingdoms.

    “The peace that we are enjoying today is made possible because of us. What you people are enjoying today, we worked for it. We know there are security agencies in Nigeria, but we the traditional rulers, we are ahead of them in peace-building.

    “I want to tell you that the country would have been more peaceful today. But they (politicians) have undermined, ignored, and abandoned us. We are nothing before then. But we are the ones playing the bigger role as far as Nigeria is concerned. We know our people and we know how to make peace in our kingdoms.”

    Also speaking, a Niger Delta environmentalist, Chief Sheriff Mulade, accused the government of only being interested in the proceeds from the area.

    He decried the environmental degradation across the region due to the activities of oil companies, stating that the traditional occupations, fishing, and farming, have been destroyed.

    Mulade said: “We have been deprived, neglected, and abandoned as a people claiming that we don’t have the qualifications to work in these companies. The government is only interested in the proceeds from our land. They are not interested in empowering and supporting us.

    Read Also: Kiddwaya visits Ooni of Ife, receives royal blessings

    “With this visit, I believe the Ooni will take it up and ensure that these companies headed by his people will give opportunities to us. It is our right and not a privilege for us to also be made managers and managing directors in these companies because we are host to them.

    “This is why I said the government is only interested in the proceeds of the land but they are not concerned with the welfare of our people.

    “Our entire ecosystem has been destroyed by the activities of these oil companies and our traditional occupation of fishing and farming has been destroyed. It is only recently with the Tantita security that has made the environment a little bit cleaner.”

    Photos:

    Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II and Pere of Gbaramatu, His Majesty Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketekpe Agadagba at his palace in Oporoza, Delta state, Wednesday evening.

  • Without Ife history, we will continue to depend on foreigners to tell our stories – Ooni

    Without Ife history, we will continue to depend on foreigners to tell our stories – Ooni

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has said that Ile-Ife continues to be the central hub and nexus that no Yoruba, whether at home or in the diaspora, can ignore.

    This was stated by Oba Ogunwusi at the closing ceremony of the international conference on Ile-Ife and Yoruba civilization, which took place in Ile-Ife on Saturday and had as its theme “The Nexus between Tradition and Modernity.”

    “Without real history, Africans will continue to depend on foreigners to tell our stories,” he said.

    The Ooni called on all those of the Yoruba race to ensure they support the historians to conduct thorough research on Ife history in order to put all measures in place.

    Also, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of History, University of Ibadan (UI), Prof Olutayo Adesina, said tradition and modernity should not be mutually exclusive for they run into one another.

    According to Prof. Olutayo Adesina, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of History at the University of Ibadan (UI), who also spoke at the conference,  tradition and modernity should not be mutually exclusive.

    Read Also: Atiku has forged Cameroonian certificate, Onoh alleges

    Adesina said: “We have a lot of things to learn from history and to use to create knowledge and employment for the population of the country, for all to understand how to blend tradition and modernity together.

    “The traditional rulers are the custodians of traditions, culture and values and they are aware that there are lots of benefits derived from what we have.

    “We should shun running away from the country because we have not just mineral resources alone, but cultural resources across the nation to add values to the society,” Adesina said.

  • Ooni hails Seaman’s Schnapps over support for Olojo Festival

    Ooni hails Seaman’s Schnapps over support for Olojo Festival

    The 51st Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has showered accolades on Grand Oak’s Seaman Schnapps.

     The accolade came for the prayer drink during the pre-Olojo Festival conference before the Ooni went into the customary seclusion ahead of the Olojo festival.

     The highly revered monarch gave these testimonies during the conference held in recognition of the sponsors of the annual event at the palatial Conference Hall of the Palace.

     The Kabiyesi gave special kudos and recognition to Grand OAK, makers of the popular Schnapps brand, for their consistent support.

     He made reference to Seaman’s Schnapps as the original elders’ prayers and blessings drink that has endured in values in the comity of celebrations for joyous events.

    Read Also: Dotun Taylor: Ooni of Ife was superb on film set

     In the words of HRM Oba Ogunwusi, “Seaman Schnapps, oti awon agba, Grand OAK, oti agba, oti awon ebora, oti o ni ti, oti Awo Olofin lo nse, most of the staff who are working at Grand OAK are just working there without knowing the meaning of Seaman Schnapps. It is meant for the elders. If anywhere is dull, Oodua will invite Seaman’s Schnapps to make the place lively. You can only meet it where there is joy and celebration and not where people are mourning. They rebelled against it but the brand kept on waxing stronger. It is used to bake, to embalm the dead, it was used for many positive purposes.”

     To demonstrate the blessing potentials and spiritual essence of the brand, Oba Ogunwusi used a bottle of Seaman’s Schnapps to pray for the team of Grank OAK employees led by the Director of

     MainStream, Olubusuyi Olofin and Marketing Manager, Gbemileke Lawal.  

  • Ooni meets Uganda’s President Museveni to discuss African economic prosperity

    Ooni meets Uganda’s President Museveni to discuss African economic prosperity

    In continuation of his parley with world leaders across the continent to foster bilateral relationships, cultural exchange, and promotion of peace and stability, Arole Oduduwa, Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II CFR is currently on a 7-day working visit to the Republic of Uganda.

    The monarch was in Uganda on the invitation of President Yoweri Museveni and his wife Mrs Janet Museveni to celebrate the couple on their wedding anniversary and vow renewal in the president’s hometown; Rukungiri, Uganda.

    After attending the ceremony, Ooni Adeyeye met privately with President Museveni at the State House in Entebbe to discuss unity and strengthening bilateral relationships among Africa.

    Ooni alongside his entourage which comprises his wife Olori Temitope Ogunwusi and Alara of Ilara-Epe kingdom Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo woos the Ugandan Leader on the need to foster more trade and business relationships between Nigeria and Uganda, while making a case for more investment, need for economic stability across Africa.

    He, however, noted that traditional rulers and their institutions across Africa should bridge the gap between the populace and the government.

    He also laid emphasis on traditional rulers acting as catalysts for change influencing sociocultural development and economic emancipation within their domain.

    Ooni disclosed that when the general populace is happy with the policies of government with enough investment in infrastructural deficit, creation of Jobs and employment, ease of doing business, and investment in education, healthcare, and social amenities it will further rekindle the strong hope the people have in democracy.

    Read Also: Ooni congratulates Olajide John on emergence as CCA chairman

    He said: “It is interesting to be here and also to celebrate with His Excellency on the occasion of his wedding anniversary. As a traditional leader and the Progenitor of the Oduduwa race, it is essential to speak on the need for peace and economic liberation among Africans. As leaders, we need to prioritise our people’s welfare and also have it in mind that there can never be a leader without followers.”

    “I want to thank President Museveni for prioritising his people and speaking in one voice with other African leaders on issues affecting the growth of Africa. Africa must rise to the task ahead and maintain a stable economy. As leaders, we must promote more trade activities among ourselves and also give room for more investment to drive the change so Africa can be self-sufficient in all ways.”

    “The borderless African continent is an unexploited asset that is critical to unlocking the economic potential of African countries. The vision of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is one of the flagships for the continent’s shared wealth and economic boom. It is a game changer that can provide a tariff-free framework that should have been in existence since 1957 when Ghana became the first African country to achieve independence from colonial rule. It is time to build the “Africa that We Want,” not as a slogan, but as an epic movement that restores Africa’s honour, pride, and reverence, from aid to trade.”

    Ooni further harped on the Global Peace Agenda and his Ojaja Pan-African Business Initiatives currently extending its tentacles outside the shores of Nigeria and his pursuit of welfarism for people of African descent, unification of African people globally for peace and economic stability. He is also ready to partner with the Ugandan government to invest more in sectors that need to be revitalized.

    The monarch stated: “I am here to let you know that Ojaja Pan African initiative is ready to invest in Uganda to further enhance social cultural and economic ties amongst Africans. We Africans are so close to one another but very far in our dealings and relationships. Nobody will help us bond and bind together but we Africans. Let’s keep using what connects us much more than what divides us to Foster peace and continental economic enhancement.”

    President Museveni also thanked His Imperial Majesty for honouring his invitation and disclosed his readiness to work with his majesty on the need to drive more trade and investment opportunities to Uganda.

    The monarch added: “I am pleased to have you here your majesty and I am a great admirer of you and what you have been doing most especially women and youth empowerment and your promotion of culture and trade across Africa and outside the continent. We Ugandans are open to more partnerships. We are open to synergizing with you and the Nigerian people. We are brothers and we are bound by one ideology as Africans so we must always remain one regardless of anything that happens. My door is always open for you and your team. We will work with you and ensure a robust bilateral relationship between Uganda and Nigeria.”

  • Ooni to tour operators: project Nigeria in good light

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi,  has described tourism as one of the authentic platforms through which Nigeria can showcase its rich culture to the globe. He disclosed that he was ready to partner any government or organisation to promote Nigeria’s tourism sector, adding that despite security challenges stakeholders in tourism sector should project Nigeria in good light to the world.

    Oba Ogunwusi, who spoke in his palace at the weekend, when  members of National Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) who held their annual general meeting at Ife, paid him a courtesy visit, urged tour operators to take queue from the fact that no nation is perfect and allow charity to begin at home by projecting Nigeria in good light to the world. “Let us use our mouths to confess positivity about our country. Once we do that, then we are in real practice of tourism promotion. Let us make lemonade out of lemon. Use your practice to influence government policies that will engender development of the country.

    “There is no country that is perfect. But, every nation manages its imperfection by publicising less of its negative side. South Africa for instance relies strongly on tourism not even mining for its earnings despite its crime rate. Johannes Burg is one of the cities with highest crime rates in the world,” he said.

    He added that Nigeria has one of the richest beaches in the world with no major tourist site in operation there.

    Director-General National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe who was part of the delegation to the Ooni’s palace, appealed to the royal majesty to endorse Osun State as host of next year’s National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST) after this year’s edition to be hosted by Edo state. This, he said, will give the whole world the opportunity to savour the rich culture of Osun and the tourism facilities such as Ife Grand Resorts and Leisure the Ooni has put in place in the state.

    Otunba also appealed to the traditional ruler to influence government in the construction of a rail line from Lagos to Ile Ife to facilitate easier and cheaper access by tourists from Lagos to Ile Ife.