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Tag: Ooni

  • Southwest won’t play second fiddle again, say Ooni, Fayemi’s aide

    OONI of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and Chief of Staff to Ekiti State Governor Mr. Biodun Omoleye have said the Southwest region will not play a second fiddle again in the country’s politics.

    They said in view of the unquantifiable contribution of the region in the country’s growth, it has no reason to allow itself to be schemed out of the country’s political configuration.

    The Ooni and Omoyele added that the zone stands the chance of regaining its frontline position, if it embraces unity and value reorientation.

    Oba Ogunwusi spoke at his palace in Ile- Ife, Osun State  yesterday when Omoleye  delivered  a lecture entitled:  “Enculturation of the Yoruba culture among youth: Implications on social reengineering  and good governance”, at a cultural programme organised by Yoruba Youth Council(YYC).

    Oba Ogunwusi said: “Yoruba has always been known for being a pacesetter since pre-independence days. So, we cannot take backseat; and to achieve this, we must be united and our youths must promote our cultural, economic and political values.”

    In Omoyele’s paper, the call for constitutional empowerment for the traditional rulers resonated.

    The Chief of Staff insisted that such policy would help in stabilising the country.

    Omoleye said the traditional rulers must be empowered to legally handle issues bothering on communal clashes, child abuse and local disputes that are causing distractions to government to decongest the conventional courts and reduce prison inmates.

    He reiterated the desperate need for the Yoruba youths to rise up and defend the Southwest region in Nigeria’s politics, saying the zone won’t submit to the idea of playing second fiddle again for it to remain relevant and be vibrant.

    The programme held at the palace of the Ooni of Ife also featured award presentation and honour for the prominent Yoruba traditional ruler.

    Omoleye, in his paper, said the emasculation of the traditional institutions by governments contributed to the high-level of instability of the country.

    “The traditional rulers should be empowered to handle cases relating to cultural differences, ranging from child abuse, matrimonial, communal differences and disputes.

    “This will decongest the conventional courts and reduce prison inmates. This will also stabilise the society rather than the punitive English legal system that we are currently practicing.”

    On politics, Omoleye added that the Yoruba youths must begin to pose as true ambassadors by joining the vanguard that would fight for the race to regain its rightful pride of place as people with integrity and rich cultural and political values.

    Omoleye added that Yoruba race could not afford to be relegated, having taken the lead since the 50s under the leadership of the former premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    “The first democratically elected government under the late Obafemi Awolowo ran the best civil service in Africa and established institutions that were the best in the continent.

    “The first television station in Ibadan was a product of Yoruba vision, the Liberty Stadium and of course, the University College Hospital, Ibadan was at a time the best medical centre in the entire Commonwealth.

    “With the personality like Oba Ogunwusi on the throne, hope has not been totally lost. This is a great time for reformation and restoration of Yoruba values and culture and our imperial Majesty is well-positioned to champion this course,” he said.

     

  • Ooni announces discovery of another waterfall in Ife

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, yesterday announced the discovery of a waterfall at the Ife Grand Resort, Ile-Ife.

    The monarch broke the news to executives of the Nigeria Tour Operators (NATOP) who visited him at his palace. He said the land on which the resort was built, was home to wild animals.

    He explained that the animals had, however, been appeased and had moved further into the bush to make the area safe for operations and tourism.

    According to him, in his quest to beautify the place and transform it to a world class tourist site, a waterfall that beats human imagination was discovered and remodelled.

    “This is a mysterious waterfall that has just been discovered. It elicits about seven colours of water including red, blue, green and so on.

    “We are still doing some work on the site, and when the project is complete, the whole world will marvel; and this is one of the things that will sell our country internationally.

    “The resort has been under construction for two years now; and when we are done, there will be nothing like it in the world,” he said.

    Oba Ogunwusi said that since his ascension to the throne, he has made many discoveries that are beyond human imagination.

    He described the discoveries as metaphysical things which truly attested to the myth that Ife is the cradle of mankind.

    According to him, “We have too many discoveries in Ife that defy science; and which will blow the minds of tourists.

    “Most of these mysterious discoveries are what we need to sell to the world because we cannot continue to shroud them in secrecy, which is the reason I decided to rebrand our heritage sites in Ife.

    “This is a very ancient palace of more than 10,000 years; I have buildings of 300, 400 to 500 years within the palace and they have all become monuments which many people come from around the world to see.

    “As a trained real estate developer, I have blended tradition and modernity in terms of design and concept of the palace,’ he said.

    The monarch called on Nigerians to stop depending on the government to groom tourism, but to rather tap into the tourism potentials at the grassroots.

    He said this would create massive employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths and reduce crime in the society.

    “We all must stop blaming government on the state of the tourism sector in Nigeria, let us take advantage of the huge tourism money spinners around us,” Ogunwusi advised.

  • Akeredolu, Ooni, Ade-Ojo, others for Ondo Man of the Year award

    The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Lekkoil Nigeria Limited, Dr Adeleke Adedipe, has emerged the 11th Ondo State Man of the Year.

    Adedipe came out as the overall best among 10 other nominees selected for this year’s edition, scoring the highest votes to defeat the three runners up in the online selection process. The award presentation is to take place at the International Event Centre, Igbatoro road, Akure, on April 6, and will attract eminent personalities within and outside the country.

    While extolling the virtues of Adedipe, the coordinator of the programme under Hero Magazine International and Nigerian Outstanding Award platform, Dr Sunday Akinbiola, hailed the awardee for his developmental strides in Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole.

    According to him, his empowerment drives and philanthropic disposition to the people were significant. He said Adedipe was selected for the honour because of his “striking attributes of hard work, development initiative and philosophy of giving back to the society thereby making him a worthy ambassador of the state.

    Akinbiola said the award platform was designed to publicly celebrate excellence, reward exceptional accomplishments, salute positive personal character and industry, honour the outstanding career achievements of illustrious sons and daughters whose performances have made significant contributions in private and public sector.

    Some of the past winners of the award were Senator Ajayi Boroffice, President, National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, Emeritus Prof. David Ijalaye (SAN), Prince Rotimi Ibidapo, Dr Tunji Abayomi, and the Executive Director, Power Holding Company Nigeria Limited, Ife Oyedele, among others.

     

  • Ooni, Adams seek credible polls

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland Aare Gani Adams have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the coming elections are free, fair and credible.

    The duo spoke at the Oodua Festival, in Ile Ife, Osun state on Monday.

    Oba Adeyeye urged the electorate to remain committed to the unity and progress of the country.

    Represented by the Obalufon of Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura and Lowa Adimula of Ife, High Chief Adekola Adeyeye, Ooni Adeyeye described the annual Oodua Festival as a pleasant homecoming for all members of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) across all 84 countries in the world, and the Oodua People’s Congress in Nigeria.

    “As great sons and daughters of the Yoruba race, we must not fail in our duty to project the cultural identity of the Yoruba race as it is being promoted by Aare Adams, through the Olokun Festival Foundation and the OPC,” he said.

    Adams, restated his belief in restructuring, saying Nigeria can only get it right with restructuring.

    He said: “As we look forward to next month’s elections, I will not leave this podium without appealing to the electoral umpire to conduct free, fair and credible elections. This is a great moment in the life of our country. And we need to get it right at all costs. We cannot afford to fail in the coming elections. In as much as I seek free, fair and credible elections, I am also interested in making a case for restructuring. If we are to make any reasonable change in Nigeria, this country needs restructuring. Whatever name you may call it. It is really important to restructure the country and for all I care for is nothing but restructuring.”

  • Ooni, Adams seek credible polls

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland Aare Gani Adams have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the coming elections are free, fair and credible.

    The duo spoke at the Oodua Festival, in Ile Ife, Osun state on Monday.

    Oba Adeyeye urged the electorate to remain committed to the unity and progress of the country.

    Represented by the Obalufon of Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura and Lowa Adimula of Ife, High Chief Adekola Adeyeye, Ooni Adeyeye described the annual Oodua Festival as a pleasant homecoming for all members of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) across all 84 countries in the world, and the Oodua People’s Congress in Nigeria.

    “As great sons and daughters of the Yoruba race, we must not fail in our duty to project the cultural identity of the Yoruba race as it is being promoted by Aare Adams, through the Olokun Festival Foundation and the OPC,” he said.

    Adams, restated his belief in restructuring, saying Nigeria can only get it right with restructuring.

    He said: “As we look forward to next month’s elections, I will not leave this podium without appealing to the electoral umpire to conduct free, fair and credible elections. This is a great moment in the life of our country. And we need to get it right at all costs. We cannot afford to fail in the coming elections. In as much as I seek free, fair and credible elections, I am also interested in making a case for restructuring. If we are to make any reasonable change in Nigeria, this country needs restructuring. Whatever name you may call it. It is really important to restructure the country and for all I care for is nothing but restructuring.”

  • Ooni names Adegbola aide on history, culture

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has appointed Prince Adelegan Adegbola as his Special Assistant on History and Culture.

    In a statement the Ooni’s extolled Adegbola as a cultural scholar and custodian of Yoruba heritage, who has done well in the preservation of culture through his publications and research works.

    “It is my pleasure to appoint you as a Special Assistant on History and Culture to House of Oduduwa, Ile-Ife. You have proven to be a selfless individual, who has gone to great length to protect the history of Yoruba culture. It is my belief that you will handle this role with utmost care and protect the integrity that comes along with the office. I charge you with noble appointment to do more in creating awareness about the Yoruba culture as well as protect our heritage and advocate for its sustenance,” Oba Ogunwusi said.

    Prince Adegbola is an author, communicator of history and tradition, founder and president of the Oduduwa Cultural Foundation (OCF), a centre for the Yoruba Cultural, History, Tradition and Documentation. He is also the publisher of a monthly magazine called Oduduwa Heritage Magazine, a production of the Oduduwa International Communication, which focuses on culture reports and events in Nigeria and the Diaspora.

    The cultural scholar has been in the forefront of promoting and propagating Yoruba cultural identity and African values as a cultural researcher for decades. He described the appointment as an “honour” and “well-received”, adding that establishing the magazine and centre were driven by the desire to create an enduring legacy as the mouth piece of the Yoruba people.

    Prince Adegbola said: “I am very happy that I have been recognised today by a foremost traditional ruler in Yorubaland, the Ooni of Ife for my effort in promoting our cultural heritage. It is a welcome development and this will further push me to do and go beyond what I am currently doing in propagating Oduduwa cultural heritage to the world.

    “Beside magazine and book publishing, the Oduduwa Cultural Foundation will be engaging in various programmes to actualise this mandate. Interestingly, the foundation, my books and magazines are meant to make Yoruba culture a source of pride to all Yoruba people all over the world and spread Yoruba enviable culture of honesty, integrity, equity, accommodation and sense of justice all over the world, and showcase Yoruba culture as a point of reference all over the world.”

    His books include “Ile-Ife: The source of Yoruba Civilisation, launched in 2012 by the former Ooni of Ife, the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade and the recent one, Ooni Obalufon  Alayemore: The father of Efon-Alaaye Kingdom published in 2017

     

  • Chief denies rift with Ooni

    The Maye of Yorubaland, Dr. Ramon Adedoyin has said that he bears no grudge against the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.

    Adedoyin said this shortly after the visit of an umbrella body of associations of Ife people, Ife Action Council, led by the president of the association,  Dr. Gbolade Famoriyo and four Ife elders at the Senate Building , Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu,  Osun State.

    According to Adedoyin, who is also the founder of the Oduduwa University, the rumour of his animosity with Ooni was the handiwork of miscreants and enemies of Ife who are averse to the progress of Ife.

    Justifying that there had never been any animosity between him and Ooni, Adedoyin disclosed that Oba Ogunwusi had paid a visit to his residence and had also attended some of the programmes of the Oduduwa University.

    Read also: Ooni assures INEC of monarchs’ support

    Maye,  therefore, advised those who are heating up the polity and waiting to benefit from this perceived animosity with Ooni to allow peace reign in Ile Ife, adding that he would not dignify these group of people with any response.

    Adedoyin promised that in no distance time, himself and Ooni would meet and plan big for the growth and development of Ile Ife. “As I’m speaking with you, myself and Ooni talk,” he told The Nation.

    Maye  said he was not interested in politics or contesting any political position.  “I’m  also not interested in any chieftaincy be it the Ooni or Emese. As a matter of fact, I have discouraged my children from being interested in any position, be it political or chieftaincy in Ile-Ife.”

  • Ooni assures INEC of monarchs’ support

    Ahead of the general election next month, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has assured the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of support of the traditional rulers in meeting its mandate.

    The Ooni, who is the chairman of the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers, spoke yesterday at a meeting between the INEC management and the traditional rulers in Osun State.

    He said the traditional rulers would use their positions as the institution closest to the grassroots to mobilise the people to be peaceful before, during and after the general elections

    Oba Ogunwusi described Osun State as a mirror reflecting how good elections should look like, saying the September 22, 2018 governorship election in the state, being the last poll before the general election, must have taught the INEC and the nation many lessons.

    Read also: Buhari meets Ooni, Yoruba monarchs in Aso Rock

    The foremost Yoruba monarch enjoined other traditional rulers to ensure their subjects are sensitised and well educated about the forthcoming poll, for them to know how to play their civic responsibilities and contribute to nation building.

    He advised eligible voters to ensure they collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and use them to determine their political leaders, saying they must not also forget to vote according to their conscience.

    The National Commissioner of INEC, Mr. Festus Okoye, said build up to the general election could be tasking, “but with the support of stakeholders, especially our royal fathers the INEC will be able to succeed.”

  • Ooni, others light up CCC convocation service

    Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; Founder of the Love of Christ Generation Ministry Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi, traditional rulers and several dignitaries joined thousands of worshippers from different parts of the world at the Celestial Convention City in Imeko, Ogun state for the convocation service of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC).

    The 6-day annual programme coincided with the 70th birthday celebration of Pastor and Spiritual head of the church, Reverend Emmanuel Oshoffa.

    Delivering a sermon titled “The love of God”, Oshoffa, said God sent Jesus to save the world because he has implicit confidence in him.

    Reading from Isaiah 42:1-6, He said God loves man so much that even after the first fall in the garden of Eden He couldn’t let go but sent Jesus to save mankind from total destruction.

    According to him: “This love of God we must pray for it in our lives and in our nation so that we can all enjoy the grace that comes with the birth of Jesus who is the epitome of genuine love.”

    The cleric charged all to place their love for God far above their love for the things of this world “because it is in doing this that we can be assured of great reward in Heaven.”

    The Ooni expressed great joy over the invitation to attend the CCC convocation service.

    He said he was highly elated to see the church growing bigger and with the development he saw in Imeko where the Celestial Church international headquarters is located, the church is growing bigger.

    The Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Oyeditan Olanite was full of praises for what he described as a historical event, saying the Celestial church presence in the town has attracted development and attention to the land.

    The Founder of Love of Christ Generation Ministry, Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi, commended the leadership of the church for successful completion of the church auditorium.

    She stated the readiness of her family and ministry to continue to partner with the Celestial Church to ensure the continuous development of its international convention auditorium.

     

  • Ooni, others celebrate Afe Babalola at 90

    Legal icon and private largest employer of labour in Ekiti State, Aare Afe Babalola turned 90 on Wednesday. As expected, many well-meaning Nigerians, including the Ooni of Ife, who led other traditional rulers, such as the delegates of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Chairman Ekiti State Traditional Council, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaye and Owa Ooye of Okemesi, Oba Michael Gbadebo Adedeji, among others, came to celebrate with him. RASAQ IBRAHIM reports that speaker after speaker spoke glowingly about Afe Babalola who the Ooni described as father of all royal fathers in Yoruba land whose deeds have made him one of the country’s brightest and resourceful personages

    Nature and history have their peculiar ways of shaping the destiny of a man. For Aare Afe Babalola, the courageous, fearless, highly cerebral elder statesman, who turned 90 recently, the combination of nature and history has been generous and kind to him.

    Here is a man who many describe as great. And what is greatness if it is not being recognised by anonymous many? He is also described as a compatriot; a protagonist of hard work and decency.

    Legal icon, prominent farmer and private largest employer of labour in Ekiti State, Aare Afe Babalola, has continued to exhibit his love for farming through his bold efforts to attract others from various fields to embrace agriculture, even as he has urged governments to encourage people to join the train by financing mechanised farming.

    Apart from this, his penchant for mental development of people from different walks of life is viewed as one of his greatest legacies which have endeared him to many and etched his name in the minds of people, especially the youth who receive quality education from the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) which he single-handedly founded.

    Any wonder countless eminent personalities converged on the premises of ABUAD to celebrate the life of a legal, academic and agric icon as he turned 90 last Wednesday.

    Many personalities attended the birthday celebration, which was in commemoration of the 5th Afe Babalola Day initiated by Chief Solomon Ogunniyi Morakinyo, Publisher of Kayegbo Magazine, under the auspices of Afe Babalola Beneficiaries Worldwide. They are: His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, who led other traditional rulers, including the delegates of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Chairman, Ekiti State Traditional Council, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaye and Owa Ooye of Okemesi, Oba Michael Gbadebo Adedeji.

    Other dignitaries present included Prof. Adekunle Olowu, Prof. Yekini Lawal, Prof. Abiodun Ojo, Prof. Aderoba, Mr. Dare Babarinsa, Dr. Gboyega Babalola, representative of Hon. Ayodele Oladimeji and a host of others.

    Speaker after speaker spoke glowingly about Afe Babalola and what he represents.

    The Ooni described him as father of all royal fathers in Yoruba land whose deeds have made him one of the country’s brightest and resourceful personages.

    He added that Babalola’s wealth of knowledge and intellectual prowess had been rightfully utilised to serve the entire human race in all capacities.

    Oba Ogunwusi affirmed the unquantifiable value of the iconic philanthropist whose name opens doors and windows of opportunities throughout the globe.

    He said: “I thought the celebration of the rare gem would be more elaborate than this because Baba is not an ordinary person but a man whose star shines beyond the shores of Ekiti State, Nigeria and Africa at large.”

    He urged the youth to mirror his path of diligence, persevered doggedness and restless vision in making giant strides in all facets of human endeavour.

    Beaming with smiles, the fulfilled nonagenarian appreciated the presence of everyone who attended the event, most importantly the Ooni.

    He appreciated the organiser of Afe Babalola Day, Morakinyo, for deeming it fit to honour and immortalise him as a living legend.

    He said: “Kayegbo is an uncommon and appreciative man whose others need to thread.”

    Babalola condemned the attitudinal disposition of the people towards the fallen heroes who relentlessly fought for socio-economic and political independence of Ekiti State, regretting that they are not immortalised and remembered.

    “When past heroes are not remembered, do not create new heroes because the only way new heroes are created is to remember the past ones”, said Afe Babalola.

    Morakinyo praised the monumental philanthropic gestures and large-heartedness of Aare Babalola.

    He said the ultimate purpose of the day was to emulate their benefactor and touch positively people’s lives the way he does.

    Morakinyo said: “Aare Afe is celebrated because he brought dignity and honour to Ekiti State in plethora of ways.

    “Baba remains the highest tax payer in the state right from the Old Ondo State. Apart from the state government, his university is the highest employer of labour in Ekiti State.

    “His university (ABUAD) has been adjudged as the fastest growing private university in Africa, and also acknowledged by the United Nations Economic Social and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a model of excellence, a world-class institution of higher education.”

    He reminded his audience that the widely celebrated Chief has over 55 years’ experience in the legal realm.

    Morakinyo said: “He has trained 1, 500 lawyers, some of them are Senior Advocates, judges of both Federal and State High Courts and Attorneys-General, among others who have reached the pinnacle of their careers in life.

    “He is a living legend, philanthropist of the highest order, an advocate par excellence, legal author, teachers’ teacher and apostle of decency who knows what he wants in life.”

    He commended the wife of the celebrator, Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola for her unalloyed support in making projects of socio-economic and educational development initiated by Aare Afe a reality.

    The President-General Afe Babalola Beneficiaries Worldwide, His Royal Majesty (HRM) Oba Ademola Ajakaye, the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, revealed that the founder of ABUAD is an unbeatable icon whose indelible imprint on the legal profession and academic remains legendary.

    He said: “It is a truism that you are the most adorable personality among the millions; without your name being mentioned, the history of many people would not be complete.”

    Fellow monarch, the Owa Ooye of Okemesi, HRM Oba Michael Gbadebo Adedeji eulogised the good deeds  of the celebrator to all and sundry irrespective of their primordial affinity and religious affiliation.

    He said he earned for himself the epithet of the advocate of generosity, functional education and justice.

    He added that Aare Babalola is the reincarnation of Fabunmi Okemesi the generalissimo of Ekiti Parapo warriors.

    He said: “While the late warrior, Fabunmi was the war-time hero who fought for the liberation of Ekiti and its allies, Chief Afe Babalola is the ‘peace-time hero’ that extricates people from the intellectual malnutrition through his actions and decisiveness.”

    A medical student of ABUAD, Isamotu Sodiq, said: “It is not theatrical to say there are no words in the lexicon to describe Chief Afe because he does things beyond human comprehension.”

    Mr Dare Babarinsa who explained that Aare Babalola’s way of life is a parable of perseverance, added that he made impossibilities possible.

    He said he remains an enduring masterpiece whose name is boldly written on the wall of fame.