The Ooni of Ife: An Angel Appears in Kuje Prison

By Eric Elezuo

The revered custodian of the Yoruba culture and Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has again proved that the milk of human kindness runs deep in his veins.

The Ooni, whose amiable stand in the socio-economic status of the nation has endeared him in the hearts of so many people, has with every opportunity, proved that humanity is a huge project that takes little or nothing to accomplish. This explains the establishment his not-for-profit organisation, the Hope Alive Initiative for Africa, with which he has reached out to not a few Africans to mitigate hardship, give them new life and rekindle hope.

It is against this background that the Convener, Hope Alive Initiative for Africa, and the Ooni of Ife, who is also known as Ojaja II, alongside his wife, appeared as angels to secure the release of five inmates from the Kuje Custodial Centre in the Federal Capital Territory during the week.

According to a statement signed by the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, FCT Command, Adamu Duza, the A-list monarch said the payment of fine for the inmates was in “commemoration of his 8th anniversary on the throne of his fathers.”

The Ooni of Ife told the inmates “I am here for the real people who need hope. Your today’s condition will be history tomorrow.”

The statement further informed that the monarch who “secured the release of five inmates by paying their fines” promised to support the inmates’ rehabilitation with the supply of equipment to aid their skills acquisition.

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

He expressed joy over the warm reception accorded him and his wife on this special occasion, and urged inmates not to see their incarceration as the end of life, rather they should see it as an opportunity to turn a new leaf.

Also responding, the wife of the Ooni, Temitope, said the occasion was not only to celebrate the reign of the traditional ruler but also to reflect on the societal issues, adding that “We are reminded of the power of forgiveness, redemption and second chance.”

She also applauded the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the correctional service authorities for their job in the reformation and reintegration of inmates.

The Controller of Corrections FCT Command, Ibrahim Idris, who was represented by Olatunbosun Ajibogun, of Planning Research and Statistics, appreciated the monarch and his wife for choosing Kuje Custodial Centre, assuring them of the service’s commitment to its mandate of reformation, and rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into the society.

Considerating his benevolent nature, and selfless act of reaching out to all and sundry, it was not surprising therefore, when news made the rounds that the Ooni was at Kuje Prison to see embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele. He wasn’t, as his spokesperson, Moses Olafere, had corrected.

Olafere said in part: “In any case, the king never met Emefiale because it was an official event organised by the NGO in conjunction with the Kuje correction centre.

“The programme centres around giving hope to the inmates that, after serving out their terms, they still have hope to reintegrate back to the society,” he said.

“The Arole Ooni was invited to chair the event in commemoration of his eighth anniversary on the throne…I am not even sure Emefiele attended the programme because he is only in detention and not an inmate yet…”

Earlier in March, 2023, the Ooni, through his Hope Alive Initiative, partnered with a real estate giant, Palton Mirga Holdings, to expand philanthropic services to humanity.

The event, which marked the end of the Year 2022 yuletide season, had no fewer than 50 children handed full Year Academic Scholarships courtesy of the Palton Morgan Holdings in conjunction with Hope Alive Initiative Africa.

Representing the regal royal father on the day, his wife, Temitope, re-affirmed the Ooni’s commitment to ensuring that the hopes of the poor masses across the black race are never dashed. This she promised shall be delivered carefully through the Hopes Alive Initiative for Africa following the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A people-oriented person, Ooni’s 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 has 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 aftrr 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 kf 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.

Born October 17, 1974 as Prince Adeyeye Enitan of Giesi, one of the four royal families of the House of Oranmiyan, the Ooni 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.

He is currently married to six wives with Temitope Morenike Adesegun as the last wife, whom he married in October, 2022. He is blessed with four children.