Friends, Families Serenade the Ooni with Love and Gifts at 50

By Eric Elezuo

Golden jubilee anniversaries are one of the most special moments of anyone’s life because for some, it marks halfway into existence, and to many others, it is a moment to reflect and calculate the milestones so far achieved.

Consequently, the milestone age is celebrated with pomp, and for the great custodian of Yoruba culture and Arole Oodua, the Ooni of Ife, HRM Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the moment was a time to pull all the stops in thanksgiving to God for His goodness and mercies among a whole lot of reasons to celebrate.

As a result, friends, family members, colleagues, associates and the general public gathered at the palace grounds in Ile-Ife, where a mother of all celebrations was held.

Among a host of dignitaries that joined the Ooni to celebrate were Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi, Aare Dele Momodu, Prince Bisi Olatilo, Ajagunla Olubiyi Fadeyi and wife, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu among a host A-list guests.

Others were Oba Michael Odunayo Ajayi, Oba Saheed Elegushi, Prince Adedamola Aderemi, Chief Mrs. Joko Oni, Mrs. Laoye Tomori, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke, Dr. Quincy Olasunbo Ayodele & husband, Evangelist Olufunke Fayose and many others.

Much as by tradition, and by implications of the spiritual tool he occupies, the Ooni was limited to celebrations except for the anniversaries of his coronation, the Monarch, who has from one, found ways to inject modernism into culture and tradition without contradicting principles, gave his 50th birthday a distinct shot, using the opportunity to commission various community based projects. As a result, beyond celebrating birthday, the Ooni used the occasion of his golden jubilee to back to the society that has so honoured him.

The projects commissioned and launched cut across several sectors of the economy including education, health services, youth empowerment/intervention and sports among others. The commissioning had started a few days before the birthday thanksgiving day, and noaedived into the main day proper.

While commissioning the community cinemas in Ile Ife, and supervising the groundbreaking of the Ojaja Film City at Ile Ife Grand Resort and Industrial Park, Osun State, two of the major projects of the Ooni, the special guest of honour, who doubles as the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, described the Ooni as a toast and a gift to the modern age as he has given traditional rulership a face and a place of absolute pride.

A former governor of Lagos State and former Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, was also on hand to commission some of the projects.

The Oni, whose value in Yoruba mythology, is huge, took time out to cut some of the eight gigantic cakes gifted him by several individuals and bodies.

The cakes, on their own, were a showpiece of class, representing the calibre of personality the Ooni has become in the close to nine years since his ascension to the throne of his forefathers. One of the cakes was even designed to reflect the style of the throne, rotating in its magnificent. Others also have a depiction of something significant to the culture and tradition of the people.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of two car gifts to the Ooni: a black Toyota Land Cruiser and a white brand new white Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) from GAC. The cars were donated by Princess Olubukola Abitoye, Dr. Ayo Abina, Asoju Oodua, Mr. Ayoku Liadi, Mr. Niyi Oyedele, Dr. Oluwatosin Olatujiye and Mr. Bola Adeyinka.

The well attended event, which featured traditional rulers from various parts of Yorubaland, industrialists, politicians of various creed and entertainment buffers, was seranaded by the melodious tunes of ageless King Sunny Ade, Tolu Obey, son of juju music maestro, Chief Ebenezer Obey and others.

Born on October 15, 1974, the Ooni is a people-oriented person, whose passion to help the needy is legendary, prompting him to create diverse avenues to touch the lives of the people including the The House of Oduduwa Foundation, which is the parent structure often used, among other as machinery to achieve these patriotic and philanthropicgestures. He has been variously described by a larger number of the society as a cheerful giver, owing to the selfless ways he has touched people’s lives materially or financially.

An unpentantable lover of Africa and everything African, Ooni operates a medium, TellAfrica, a known information hub in Nigeria and online, notable for connecting Africans all over the world to the realisation of who Africans really are, and not what other races think of them.

In April 2023, Ooni donated 100 hectares of land, situated along Ilesa road, Abayagani, Ile-Ife, to the Nigeria Peace Corps ( NPC) for the construction of South-West Zonal Training School.

The monarch said that his love for the corps warranted the need for the gift to enable them to position their training ground for the southwest zone.

“I have decided to support you in providing vehicles for easy movement in the zone and also provision of housing for officers and the 100 hectares of land.

“Any other things that you forgot to mention please let me know and I will do such at my level best,” the Ooni said.

According to a Wikipedia narrative, Ooni Ogunwusi, shortly after coronation in 2015, met with the Alaafin of Oyo, initiating a new era in the history of the Yoruba States, and marking a significant event in the history of the Yoruba States as it helped to reduce the tension between the two thrones. The Oba is an advocate for the empowerment and emancipation of women and young people.

As a result of the Initiative, Ile-Ife has experienced notable transformations characterized such as beautification, urban redesign, and architectural reconstruction, all directed towards augmenting its attractiveness as a prominent tourist destination under his reign.

Oba Ogunwusi is also a renowned philanthropist, who is committed to humanity and an advocate for the less privileged. He has granted support over the years through the House of Oduduwa Foundation and, most recently, through the Hopes Alive Initiative.

He was born as Prince Adeyeye Enitan of Giesi, one of the four royal families of the House of Oranmiyan, and started his elementary education at Subuola Memorial Nursery and Primary School, Ibadan, and Ibadan District Council, Akobo, Ibadan. He then proceeded to Loyola College, Ibadan, and later to St. Peters Secondary School, Ile-Ife, where he received his secondary school certificate (SSCE). He graduated as an accountant from The Polytechnic, Ibadan.