Ile-Ife, Nigeria — The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has extended heartfelt congratulations to renowned journalist and cultural advocate, Chief Akogun Tola Adeniyi, as he marks his 80th birthday.
Describing the milestone as more than just a celebration of age, the Ooni hailed it as a tribute to Adeniyi’s decades-long contributions to truth, culture, nation-building, and the advancement of the Yoruba people.
“Akogun Tola Adeniyi has stood tall like a towering iroko in Nigeria’s media landscape,” the Ooni said in a statement issued by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare. “He has wielded his pen like a sword, speaking up for the voiceless and confronting injustice with uncommon bravery.”
Over the years, Adeniyi has become a household name through his incisive columns, essays, and public commentary, which the Ooni described as a “sacred altar for justice, conscience, and cultural revival.”
In recognition of his commitment to Yoruba heritage and his wide influence across Yorubaland, Adeniyi has been conferred with several chieftaincy titles, including:
- The Araba of Remoland
- Bobagunwa of Ago-Iwoye
- Akogun of Ijebu
- Iroko of Yewaland
- Aare Agbaakin of Ede
- Otunba Awubiowu of Ijebu Ife
- Aare Ologundudu of Lagos
- Irunmole of Isamuro
- Jagun Oodua of Yorubaland
At 80, the Ooni described Chief Adeniyi as “a beacon of wisdom, a fountain of cultural pride, and an unwavering voice in the storm,” whose legacy is etched not only in ink but in the hearts of all who cherish Yoruba values and identity.
“On behalf of the House of Oduduwa and the global Yoruba family, we celebrate you as a true Iroko of our time for your life of purpose and enduring inspiration,” the monarch said.
“May the spirits of our ancestors continue to strengthen you. Happy birthday, Akogun!”
— Echotitbits.com
