CANADA INVITES OONI TO ITS 150TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

The Ooni of Ife, Alayeluwa Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi,Ojaja II , has been invited as a special guest of the Canadian Government to grace the country’s 150th Independence Anniversary celebrations in July this year.

The special invitation was conveyed to the Ife monarch in his palace on Sunday by a Canadian Member of Parliament (MP), Ramesh Sangha.

Delivering the invitation, the Canadian MP said that the invitation was aimed at forging stronger ties between Canada and Nigeria.
Sangha, representing Brampton Central in the Canadian Parliament, said he would collaborate with Federal Government in the areas of economy, youth empowerment, health services, agriculture, science and technology while in Nigeria.


He described the Ife monarch as a “reference point in Nigeria in view of the enviable niche he has carved for himself since mounting the throne of his forebears.

“We Canadians are very happy with Your Highness for the great work you are doing.”

“On behalf of Canadian Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Justin Pierre James Trudeau, we are inviting you to the 150th Independence Anniversary Celebration of Canada coming up in July,” said the Canadian MP.

Responding, Oba Ogunwusi said he would continue to promote Yoruba tradition and cultural heritage as well as propagate peace and unity across the world.

The Ife monarch said he would grace the occasion in Canada and also promised to contribute his quota to the success of the programme.

The Canadian delegation included John Adeyefa, President, Nigerian-Canadian Association in Ottawa, Chidi Nwanyanwu, President, Nigerian-Canadian Association in Ontario and Sola Agboola, Leader, Nigerian Young-Adult Association in Canada.

(NAN)

OONI ENITAN OGUNWUSI IS THE REALITY OF OUR TIME~~ WOLE SOYINKA

The Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, sometime ago that the position of Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Frederick Akinruntan, who described Moremi Ajasoro as a traitor did not deserve any response.

He contended that “the position of Olugbo does not touch the reality on Moremi and his position does not deserve a response or not worthy of response”.
He said, “There is controversy about the origin of someone whom we know as the origin of Yoruba race, kingdom, black race and humanity. The controversy may continue for long but the reality I that Kabiesi, the Ooni of Ife above all Ile-Ife is the cradle of humanity.

“We know what we know; we know what we accept and believe and that remains the fact. I have just gone to see the statue of Moremi and the controversy on Moremi her, I have heard. I learnt that some people said that Moremi, the heroine, is a traitor. That does not touch any part of reality of what Moremi is or was. And I don’t want you (Ooni) to spend any time or energy at all responding to counter or alternative theories. It is not necessary.”

According to him, the influence of Ile-Ife transcends Nigeria and Africa. “If you walk on the street of Cuba or Brazil, somebody will tap you on your shoulder because they know you are black, they say ‘who are you?’ And you say ‘I am Osun, Ogun, Sango’. At the end, they will ask you how is the Ooni? It means the Yoruba race, culture is beyond this environment,” he added.

Describing Ooni as the Yoruba’s reality, he maintained that the race’s culture had gone beyond speculation, just as he said “it is natural and spiritual. The historical status of   Ile-ife as the cradle of the mankind remains incontrovertible and Ooni Enitan Ogunwusi is the reality of our time”.

VIDEO; OONI OF IFE AND OBA OF LAGOS ATTEND OBASANJO'S SON WEDDING IN LAGOS

The wedding ceremony between Obasanjo's son, Olujonwo and the daughter of "Baba Ijebu" Sir Adebutu Kesington ,Temitope held yesterday at Eko Hotels and Suits. The Ooni of Ife, Alayeluwa Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu both attended the event. Watch the video after the cut...

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

OBASANJO AND OTHERS URGED OONI TO IGNORE THE OLUGBO AND FOCUS ON HIS UNIFICATION AGENDA

Eminent Yoruba Patriots which includes former president of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka on Wednesday urged the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, to ignore anybody, who called Moremi Ajasoro a traitor.

In his speech at the event, Professor Soyinka said somebody's view about Moremi did not take away anything from the reality of who she was and that no celebration in her honour could be too much.

“There is controversy about the origin of someone whom we know as the origin of Yoruba race, kingdom, black race and humanity. The controversy may continue for long but the reality is that Kabiyesi, the Ooni of Ife above all, Ile Ife is the cradle of humanity.

“We know what we know; we know what we accept and believe and that remains the fact. I have just gone to see the statue of Moremi and the controversy on Moremi. I learnt that some people said that Moremi, the heroine, is a traitor. That does not touch any part of reality of what Moremi is or was. And as the head of this race, I don’t want you (Ooni) to spend any time or energy at all responding to counter or alternative theories. It is not necessary.” Prof Soyinka said.


Soyinka, who added that the influence of the Ooni and Ile Ife as the cradle of mankind transcended this region also said the Ife monarch was recognised and referred above other Obas outside the shores of Nigeria.

Soyinka who's first child bears the name MOREMI added that the influence of Ile-Ife transcends Nigeria and Africa. “If you walk on the street of Cuba or Brazil, somebody will tap you on your shoulder because they know you are black, they say ‘who are you?’ And you say ‘I am Osun, Ogun, Sango’. At the end, they will ask you how is the Ooni? It means the Yoruba race, culture is beyond this environment,” Soyinka added.
The former President said Oba Ogunwusi had done very well to unite Yoruba monarchs and had embarked on the transformation of Ile Ife in the past one year on the throne of his forefathers.

“I commend His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, for his unification agenda and for ensuring that the Yoruba race remains undivided.”

He stated that he had been watching the unification and transformation moves of Oba Ogunwusi with keen interest immediately after he ascended the throne.

The former President described the moves “as a very good thing,” adding that unity would bring peace and development to the people.

He urged the Ife monarch as the spiritual leader of Yoruba not to relent in ensuring that the entire Yoruba race was brought together.

Ooni Ogunwusi later told journalists in an interview after the that he would not relent in his efforts towards ensuring the unity of the race and to emancipate Ife youths from unemployment and poverty.

He said peace in Yorubaland was critical to the peace of Nigeria and Africa, adding that peace in Yoruba land was non-negotiable.

The Arole Oodua said he was aware of the economic crisis when he was inaugurated as the 51st Ooni of Ife but he decided to make a difference in the lives of his people despite recession.

The monarch stated that he focused on agriculture, tourism and youth empowerment to restore peace and tranquility to the once troubled town.

The Ooni stated that the communal clash between Ife and Modakeke left post-war effect which turned some of the youths to miscreants.

He, however, noted that through his efforts, most of the youths had now been given hope, while peace had been restored to Ile Ife.

“We know the situation of things in Ile Ife before I came. We know that dollar is not affecting what we produce on our farms and we focused on three things- agriculture, tourism and youth emancipation.

“We encourage our youths to produce and I am a promoter of local goods. Everything I wear is produced locally excluding my wristwatches. My beads and shoes are produced here.

“The Ife-Modakeke war left our youths to be heartless and carefree but now Ife has become one of the most peaceful towns in the country.” Ooni Ogunwusi said.

Also in attendance at the low-key occasion is the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion,  Deputy governor Titi Laoye-Tomori who represented governor Rauf Aregbesola of the state of Osun,former governor Theophilos Bamigboye, Senator Jeremiah Oseni, Senator Grace Bent, Alhaji Suaib Oyedokun, Asiwaju of Ife Chief Alex Dudu Yemi, Elegusi of Ikate Oba Saheed Elegusi, Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Ganiyu Oloogunebi, about 60 other monarchs from across Nigeria and Republic of Benin, to mention but just a few.

While the ongoing first coronation anniversary Ooni Ogunwusi continues till Sunday, the event of Wednesday that witnessed the book launch was climaxed by the O TI SE'ESE CARNIVAL attended by thousands of Nigerian youths at Olokun park and IRAWO OODUA MEDALS AWARDS bestowed on eminent Oodua's sons and daughters including Chief Mrs Nike Akande, Professor Sophie Oluwole and Hon. Funmilayo Tejuoso.

Other recipients of the Ooni’s IRAWO OODUA AWARDS are Professor Bola Ajibola, Chief Bisi Akande represented by the Osun state SSG, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, Dr Taiwo Afolabi of Sifax Group, Alhaji Kamaru Ibitoye of Kam Steel Ltd and a black American who is member of the Philadelphia House of Representatives in the USA, Jordan Harris.

YORUBA RONU : ROYAL RUMBLES OVER 'MOREMI AJASORO AS GODDESS'

There is an ongoing battle of supremacy between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Obateru Akinruntan over Moremi Ajasoro as a heroine!

The Ugbo monarch disagreed with the Ooni, who described Moremi as a goddess and recently built a 42-foot statue in her honour.
To the Ondo monarch,said; Moremi was a traitor who betrayed her husband, Osangangan Obamakin.
In a swift reaction, the Ife monarch said Olugbo did not have deep knowledge of Yoruba history.

The Olugbo, in a statement issued by the Olugbo-in-Council, said, “We, the Olugbo–in–Council, found such (Ooni’s remarks about Moremi) unguarded statements and historical fallacy disturbing, particularly when such emanated from a monarch who is expected to be a custodian of history, customs and traditions of Yorubaland. We hereby state categorically that we are Ugbos, the aboriginal settlers and owners of Ile-Ife.

“Our forefathers descended from heaven, that is why we are called ‘Ugbo Atorunwo.’ We are not Ibos (Igbos), who are from the South-East, and who have their own clearly researched and defined ancestry. To set the record straight, Moremi remains a traitor. She was a slave captured by Ugbo warriors during one of their many raids on Ile-Ife. She later became the wife of Osangangan Obamakin, the son of Oranfe, of who was the paramount ruler of over 13 aboriginal communities of ancient Ugbomokun, which later came to be called Ile Ife.”

The statement said further, “Oduduwa came to Ugbomokun as a stranger and was welcomed in Ilero, the aboriginal palace of Osangangan Obamakin, which is still in existence in present-day Iremo, in Ile Ife. During the dynastic struggles, Osangangan Obamakin was directed by the oracles (Ifa and Osanyin) to leave Ile Ife. Moremi betrayed her husband’s trust when she exposed the secret of the Ugbo warriors’ gallantry.”

“Popular history states that Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Ooni, migrated from the East/Mecca. In another account by the Oba of Benin, recently, Oduduwa came from Benin. We ask that the Ooni should confirm his ancestral roots. It is also of importance to note that in the ancient custom of Yoruba, an incumbent king must have no living father. Also, no man from a female lineage of a ruling house is qualified to sit on the throne.”

But Oba Ogunwusi, who spoke through the Director of Public Affairs of the Ooni’s Palace, Moses Olafare, said the Ooni would not dignify the Olugbo with an answer because he was more focused on achieving unity among all Yoruba people and would not allow himself to be distracted.

The Ooni insisted that Moremi was a heroine, who deserved accolade because of the role she played in the liberation of Ife people from some “faceless terrorists.”

He said, “This outburst of Olugbo can only be viewed by well-meaning people as a pitiable act of absurdity that doesn’t deserve serious attention by serious people. How on earth could a Yoruba king refer to Moremi as a traitor because she used her power as a woman to liberate her people from incessant invasions by some faceless terrorists?

“Most paramount on the mind of His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, with the unflinching support of the Alaafin, baba; the Awujale; the Alake; the Orangun; the Deji; the Ewi; the Osemawe; the Olubadan; the Oba of Lagos; and other relevant peace-loving monarchs in Yorubaland and in other parts of the country is and remains the much-needed progress of Yoruba nation which can only be achieved through peace and unity.

“It is a pity that at this time when everybody is tired of retrogressive royal discord, the Olugbo, who claims to be the Chairman of Yoruba Obas Committee on Peace and Reconciliation, has suddenly without a deep knowledge of Yoruba history, woken up to see royal controversy as the only tool for cheap publicity.”

Punch