The new Ooni of Ife, Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has said that his emergence as the next monarch for the exalted throne is not by any sudden flight but by divine intervention and dint of hard work.
The real estate magnate and business icon in a piece entitled, “My Dream for Ife,” said he has a scintillating story to tell the world.
Basking in the euphoria of his preference over other competitors by his people, he said: “I have a story to tell the world and, most importantly, the people of Ile-Ife.
“Over 40 years ago, I was born into the Giesi Ruling House, Ojaja Royal Compound of Agbedegbede in the ancient city of Ile-Ife. From birth, my life has been a journey; one that I embarked on without knowing I was being groomed for this day.
“At an early age, I became very enterprising with the knack of building something out of nothing. Years ago, I built a number of consortiums with a team of well-versed, highly skilled and unskilled professionals from scratch and with hard work and God’s providence. This has made me a huge employer of labour and a captain of industry.”
According to him, the story of Ile-Ife begins as the cradle of black civilization and has spread its tentacles beyond black Africa.
“The Ooni stool is highly revered and exalted and as the world looks on, our strength and emphasis need to be injected into the urbanisation of Ile-Ife. Before now, Ile-Ife has not taken its rightful position as the ‘source’ of black civilisation. However, it has a wealth of history, culture and tradition which predates thousands of years.
“Having found ourselves in such state of affairs where the potential of the land remains untapped and its people lacking economic and social emancipation, we should all take it upon ourselves to redress this situation. The Ile-Ife of my dream will be strategically positioned to empower its people socially, economically and traditionally, to bring about the desired developments.”
Ogunwusi affirmed that there is a huge possibility for Ile-Ife to experience tremendous growth through industrialisation and developmental projects as a company managed by dedicated sons and daughters of Ife and all Ife enthusiasts.
He said he has no doubt that Ife will be great again due to its economic dexterity.
“Ife has one of the largest land mass in the southwest, beaming with natural resources, including three out of the four factors of production – land, labour and entrepreneurship, and with our great resolve, we shall work towards capital creation.
“I am very passionate about my roots with the determination of bringing Ile-Ife to the forefront of economic and social affairs. I have for a long time been very involved in many philanthropic gestures in Ile-Ife and its environs. The progressiveness of the youths of Ile-Ife is at the core of my philosophy and I have been instilling hope in thousands of youths through the various ongoing reciprocity programmes I established long ago.
“It is within the dictates of our culture that the young shall provide for the old, and for this reason our youths need to be nurtured and engaged positively, hence they can attain financial independence and in return, provide for their parents, families and dependents.
“Many might argue that the tasks before me are incredibly monumental and impossible – which might be so; however, I do not get easily swayed by the idea of impossibilities. In every challenging situation, what I see is a speck of possibility which I build on till the task at hand is completed.
“I have done this time over time and I have defied the rules of men to follow my gut instincts. I excel the most where others have failed and I derive the most joy where others have said emphatically, ‘it is not possible.’
“I cannot but emphasize that the development and well-being of our youths is paramount to our future and one that is very close to my heart. This area needs to be properly addressed to ensure our youths are well-engaged in various professional and vocational pursuits.
“Today, to the glory of God, I have been energized to rehabilitate and take off the streets several thousands of youths by providing them with gainful employment.”
Jubilations as Adeyeye Ogunwusi emerges new Ooni of Ife
There were wild jubilations in Osun State after Governor Rauf Aregbesola approved the appointment of 40-year-old Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi as the new Ooni of Ife.
A three-paragraph statement dated, October 24, by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, and made available to newsmen Monday morning, stated that his choice was sequel to the completion of due process by the kingmakers and communication of their decision to the government.
The 51st Ooni from Giesi Ruling House succeeds Oba Okunade Sijuwade who joined his ancestors at a London hospital on July 28, 2015, at the ripe age of 83.
It would be recalled that the kingmakers narrowed down the choice of the monarchs to Giesi Ruling House following the 1980 Ife chieftaincy declaration.
The decision of the kingmakers sparked controversy consequent upon which government and the kingmakers were dragged to court challenging the adoption of the 1980 declaration.
In reaction to the choice of Ogunwusi in Ile-Ife, residents trooped out to major streets of the ancient town to felicitate with the Ogunwusi family.
Armed with the portraits of the Ooni designate, the jubilating crowd disrupted vehicular and pedestrian movements, thereby creating traffic gridlock in the town.
The heavy presence of security agents consisting of a combined team of both regular and mobile policemen, officers of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), traditional hunters and vigilance groups in every nook and cranny of the town at the weekend had reduced after the announcement.
An Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was however stationed in front of the palace, apparently in preparation for any unforeseen circumstance that could disrupt the peace of the town.
Speaking with newsmen over the appointment, the Laadin of Ife and Secretary of traditional Kingmakers, Chief Adetoye Adewole, affirmed that the choice of Ogunwusi is ordained by the gods of the land.
Ogunwusi described the newly appointed Ooni of Ife as a man of dignity with impeccable character, saying he was single-handedly fished out by the oracles and gods of the land.
Also speaking, the Lowa Adimula, Chairman of kingmakers Baba Joseph Ijaodola, said due process was followed before the selection and recommendation of the newly appointed monarch to the state government for its official endorsement.
Oba Ijaodola described the choice of Ogunwusi as the best, saying he has all it takes to bring rapid transformation to the land and, as well, make the town more attractive than the way he is meeting it.
Also reacting to the development, one of the frontline aspirants to the throne, Prince Sikiru Adetona Ayedun, of Giesi Ruling Family congratulated Prince Ogunwusi on his emergence.
He wished him a memorable and eventful coronation in advance, saying that the efforts of Governor Rauf Aregbesola cannot but be commended for his leadership role in making the process crisis-free.
He added that the Ife kingmakers also deserve commendation for their unity of purpose, adding that Ile-Ife is greater than anyone, even as he charged everyone to unite for the good of the town.
But the spokesman for the Lafogido Family, Sooko Adeleke Adewoyin said the ruling house will soon sit to discuss the new development.
He declared that their grouse was with the selection process of the Ooni, which he described as faulty and fraudulent.
The former deputy governor said since government had accepted what the kingmakers presented to it, they (Lafogido Family) cannot fight government, adding that it is obvious that government has gone against the wish of the generality of the people of Ile-Ife.
Ogunwusi was selected from 21 candidates presented by the Giesi Ruling House.
New Ooni’s life story
Born to Prince Ropo and the late Mrs Margaret Wuraola Ogunwusi of Ile Opa family compound, Ile Ife, the new Ooni is a Higher National Diploma graduate from The Polytechnic, Ibadan.
Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi started cutting his teeth in outstanding entrepreneurship even as a student.
He is loved and highly respected by the people of Ile-Ife. As a Prince, he has stayed and is very much in touch with his roots and tradition. He has close alliances with some of the most esteemed royal fathers, leaders and kinsmen.
Ambode congratulates new Ooni Of Ife Ogunwusi
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode Monday congratulated Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi on his appointment as the new Ooni of Ife.
Ambode, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, admonished the new monarch to see his appointment as a call to service and for the good of humanity.
Charging Ogunwusi to be courageous in his decisions, Ambode urged him to see the unity of the Yoruba race as a priority.
Dogara congratulates new Ooni of Ife
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, has congratulated the new Ooni of Ife, Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi on his ascent to the throne.
In a congratulatory statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs Turaki Hassan, Dogara urged the new Ooni to emulate the late Oba Sijuwade who has left an indelible mark in the history of Nigeria as a peacemaker and a bridge builder among different peoples of the country.
-Leadership
