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Tag: Ile-Ife

  • OONI LAUDS AN EBULLIENT JOURNALISTIC ICON & CULTURAL DIPLOMAT, AKOGUN TOLA ADENIYI @ 80

    OONI LAUDS AN EBULLIENT JOURNALISTIC ICON & CULTURAL DIPLOMAT, AKOGUN TOLA ADENIYI @ 80

    Chief Tola Adeniyi

    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

  • Oba Ogunwusi Clarifies Fire Outbreak in Ancient Palace of Ife

    Oba Ogunwusi Clarifies Fire Outbreak in Ancient Palace of Ife

    Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has offered explanation on the Wednesday fire outbreak, describing the incident as “a minor,” involving a tiny part of one of the administrative buildings within the premises of the palace, which occurred at about 1:15pm, leaving no harm to the oldest palace in Yoruba land.

    “The minor inferno, which lasted for about 20 minutes was immediately put out by collective efforts of people in the palace led by the Ooni’s Chief Security, Kolawole Emmanuel, later joined by men of the fire services from Osun State Government, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife.

    Ooni Adimula of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi

    “Aside from the fact that there was no causality whatsoever, the fire was just a minor occurrence which was nothing to be compared to the misleading huge pictures being painted in the media, particularly the social media.

    “While it is suspected to have emanated from an electric spark, measures are currently in place to reveal the cause of the inferno.

    READ ALSO:

    Nigerian troops thwart Boko Haram/ISWAP attack on Kukawa community – DHQ

    “We wish to thank men of Osun State Fire Service, Obafemi Awolowo University Fire Service and OAUTH Fire Service for their swift response, while efforts of well meaning Nigerians who reached out to the palace for objective analysis are equally appreciated.

    “Once again, the ancient Palace of Ife remains as rich as before in culture, traditions and tourism,” said Oba Ogunwusi, in a statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Video: Ooni Adimula of Ife charges youth to be steadfast in culture

    Video: Ooni Adimula of Ife charges youth to be steadfast in culture

    The Ooni Adimula of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi has charged young Nigerians to be steadfast in culture and heritage.

    This charge was made over the weekend when the Monarch hosted in his palace, the Royal Court of the Kingdom of Ife (Ile-Oodua), some youths, a social media entertainer and actor, Debo Adebayo, widely known by the stage name Mr Macaroni and Big Brother Naija star, Seyi Awolowo.

    According Oba Ogunwusi, young people must never forget their culture and heritage: “It is the greatest asset and wealth that we all must embrace”.

    READ ALSO: Mandela’s youngest daughter Mama Zindzi dies at 59

    The Monarch, who reiterated his passion and commitment to mentoring young Nigerians said: “Over the past four years of my ascension to the Throne of my forbearers, one of my core Royal mission has been to reconstruct the worldview of our young populations as I instill in them new cultural attributes through beliefs, values, practices, norms, tradition, heritage and understanding extraordinary corpus moments in African history.

    “It was an audacious moment, imprinting ambitious ideas for greatness in their minds as well as stemming up their spirit to share in my vision of rewriting our stories, celebrating our ancestor’s achievements and recording their challenges of the past for the generations ahead”, Oba Ogunwusi said.

    In a statement posted on Instagram, Mr Macaroni expressed excitement and appreciation of the warm reception by the His Imperil Majesty.

    “Honor of my life to have spent an incredibly exciting and overwhelming day with the Alayeluwa, Arole Oduduwa, Olofin Adimula!! His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) The Ooni of Ife!!

    “He showed me so much love, I was speechless!! Totally unbelievable!!
    Thank you for this moment sir and for showing how ready you are to invest in the Youths! This for me is priceless!!! May your reign be long and prosperous!!! Kabiesi oooooooooooo”, Mr Macaroni stated.

    READ ALSO: World Bank’s Arezki joins African Development Bank as Chief Economist/Vice President

    Also sharing via Instagram, his experience with Oba Ogunwusi and appreciating the Monarch’s gift, Seyi Awolowo said:  “The king freakied (credited) our accounts while he cracked the entire palace up.

    “Not seen a king like this before… may you live long and prosper”, He stated.

    Video via Twitter @OoniAdimulaIfe

    Tobiloba Kolawole