Senior Copy Editor, INNOCENT ANORUO, hazards an allusion of the 40-year-old Ooni-designate in Ife with young Joseph who steered the Egyptian ship to Eldorado, pointing out that the Ooni-designate may not be as young as he looks when it comes to wisdom.
He is young, handsome and intelligent. But make no mistakes about his identity; the Ooni of Ife-designate, Prince Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has no known English name (so he couldn’t have been Joseph, as arrogated to him), he is not a dreamer (though he might have dreamt in his lifetime), he was not sold by his brothers, he was not tempted by Potiphar’s wife, he has never been to prison.
But he has some ‘Josephic’ attributes. Like his alter ego in the Bible, the Ooni-designate’s mother is not alive to witness his reign. Though the holy book did not record that Jacob bowed before Joseph – though Joseph’s childhood dreams pointed to that, the new Ooni’s father, Prince Ropo Adeyeye Ogunwusi, is likely to bow before his 40-year-old entrepreneur son. Wait for it; his father even knew he would be king, as he disclosed in Ile Ife after his announcement as the new king. He said his son’s new status was foretold right from his childhood.
His father said that there were prophesies and predictions that his son had been favoured by the deities to be king; tha while he was an infant, the Ooni-designate used to be referred to as “Oba Lola” (destined to be king) by the people.
The above are just few of the attributes Prince Enitan, the Ooni-elect share with Joseph.
Youth, not in mind
However, his youthfulness has cast doubts on his ability to administer one of Africa’s ancient kingdoms. Observers believe, and rightly, that “grey hairs are honourable”, a statement that suggests that wisdom comes with age. But they fail to consider that the age of Methuselah has nothing to do with the wisdom of Solomon.
Born into the Giesi Ruling House, Ojaja Royal Compound in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, life for the prince has been a journey; one that he embarked on, saddled with great conscientiousness when he became a father at the age of 19, which shaped and groomed him for greater challenges ahead.
The crown fits
The Olu-designate, whose two names Enitan (person of story) and Adeyeye (the crown befits its titles) are phenomenal, during his acceptance speech, put paid to speculations that he may not be able to wear the big crown.
His words: “Many might argue that the tasks before me are incredibly monumental and impossible. 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 have excelled where people had predicted failure and I derived the most joy where others have said emphatically ‘it is not possible’.”
For the avoidance of doubt, he cited his recent feat at ‘Parakin’ in Ile-Ife where he transformed a thick forest into a beautiful castle within a month. The land, hitherto, was a garbage dump and an escape route for men of the underworld in the vicinity which constituted a social menace to the inhabitants of ‘Parakin’.
Though, he will wear the coveted crown of the Ooni in two weeks, he arrived Ile-Ife on Wednesday amid fanfare to begin rites of ascension to the throne of his forefathers.
Obasanjo pays homage
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also visited the new Ooni of Ife, at Ile-Ife, to pay homage as a mark of respect.
An aide of the former president revealed that his principal had to visit Mr. Ogunwusi on Wednesday because he had an overseas trip scheduled for Thursday.
Obasanjo who spoke with newsmen in Abeokuta on Wednesday night, said his visit was necessitated by tight schedule outside of Nigeria, which might not make it possible for him to see the new Ooni-elect before going into the traditional Ipebi (seclusion).
Identity
According to reports, the Ooni-elect could not legitimately ascend the throne unless he was first initiated into the cult of the Sookos, since he had not previously been a member.
Secretary of the Giesi Ruling House, Adelowo Ogunleye, said the new Ooni will bear the title of Ojaja II, during his reign. He explained that the Ojaja family is a part of the Giesi ruling house.
Vision
“The Ile-Ife of ‘my dream’ will be strategically positioned to empower its people socially, economically and culturally to bring about the desired developments. Now, with our resolve to transform Ile-Ife we are ‘set’ to leave no stone unturned, in the drive to put Ile-Ife on the map of the world. Our ultimate goal is to reposition the House of Oduduwa as a worthy example of successful inward-looking community,” the Ooni-elect said.
Reactions
However, some indigenes of the town stormed the palace to express their happiness over the appointment of the new monarch. Laadin of Ife and Secretary of Traditional Kingmakers, Chief Adetoye Adewole, told reporters that the choice of Ogunwusi was ordained by the gods. He described the Ooni-elect as a man of dignity with impeccable character.
Also, Chairman of the kingmakers, Lowa Adimula, Oba Joseph Ijaodola, said that due process was followed before Ogunwusi emerged as the new Ooni.
Oba Ijaodola described the choice of Ogunwusi as the best, saying that he has all it takes to bring rapid transformation to the town.
Former Special Adviser to Aregbesola on Youths and Special Needs, Mr. Biyi Odunlade, described Ogunwusi as an outstanding person. In his congratulatory message, one of the contenders from Giesi Ruling House and a former Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Home Affairs, Sikiru Adetona, welcomed the emergence of Ogunwusi as the 51st Ooni.
The Senate president, Bukola Saraki, has urged the new Ooni not to see his ascension to the throne as a mere fulfilment of a life-long ambition, but a divine opportunity to use his knowledge and wisdom to improve on the wellbeing of his people and uplifting the glory of the Yoruba race. And Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, urged him to emulate the late Oba Sijuwade, who he described as a peacemaker and a bridge between different peoples.
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, expressed joy at the emergence of Ogunwusi as the new Ooni. He urged the new monarch to see his appointment as a call to service for the uplift of humanity. While charging Ogunwusi to be courageous in his decisions, Ambode urged him to see the unity of the Yoruba race as a priority.
Rivals fume
But, the Lafogido Ruling House that challenged the turn of the Giesi Ruling House to produce the next Ooni faulted the appointment of Ogunwusi. It said that with the decision of the kingmakers to solely present a candidate for the throne of Ooni, “it is obvious that government has gone against the wish of the generality of the people of Ile-Ife.” Spokesperson of the aggrieved ruling house and former Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Adeleke Adewoyin, described the selection process as faulty and fraudulent.
He added that their ruling house would soon meet to discuss the new development. Adewoyin, however, charged people to remain calm, saying: “The blood of an Ife man does not worth being shed over the choice of an Ooni.”
But the new Ooni said he has forgiven all those who tried to defame him during the period that led to his emergence. The selection period preceding the emergence of the royal father was rife with controversies, name-calling and rancour.
