Recent moves by the current Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), are a strong pointer that the new monarch has come on the scene to make a statement, a mark that might see him placed as the greatest Yoruba monarch modern Nigerian history.
The new Ooni of Ife, During his coronation
It is barely a month now that the staff of office and instrument of appointment was handed to this accountant who succeeded the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade that died on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.
Oba Enitan who was born October 17, 1974, is the 51st Ooni of Ife and one does not needs to look too far as to understand why he was chosen to rule the great kingdom of Ife and indeed the entire Yorubaland.
The monarch who was described by The Vangurd as “an astute entrepreneur driven by turning impossibilities to ‘possibilities’”, has started to carryout projects that tell a lot about the kind of leader he is.
Below are five laudable things which the new Ooni of Ife has done in recent time, which are pointers that this monarch came prepared and is ready to leave his footprints upon the sands of time.
1. Man of peace
On ascending the throne, Oba Enitan took the bull by its horns when he began make moves to still the storm of an age-long fued between Ife and Modakeke. On a visit to the Osun state governor, Rauf Aregbesol, the Ojaja II said he had set up the House of Oduduwa Trust Fund for the rebuilding of the property destroyed during the war between the aggrieved communities.
The Ooni informed that the two communities have resolved to permanently end the animosity between them, adding that the youth who had been jobless hitherto should be assisted to start some jobs on their own.
2. Creator of youth employment
In keeping to his words regarding unemployed youths, the Ooni acquired 30 square miles of land in IIe Ife for oil palm, cocoa and rubber plantation. The monarch disclosed that the agricultural investment would boost job creation, as more than 40,000 youths will be employed and it will lead to the reduction of crime rate in IIe Ife and Osun state.
According to a statement by the director, media and public affairs of Ooni’s palace, Moses olafare, the Ooni has gone on to declare that the year 2016 would be dedicated to youth development.
3. Empowerer of women
Still keeping in line with the objective of employment and empowerment, Oba Adeyeye donated a vast estate of land to the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) for the purpose of building ”Women Journalists Estate.”
The Ooni in emphasizing the importance of women in the society, said that without women there cannot be any existence, stressing that women are valuable and indispensable companion.
He made the donation when the association, led by Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, its national president, visited him in Ile-Ife on Thursday, January 14.
4. The astute entrepreneur
Leaving the words to the latter, Oba Enitan should the world that he is an astute entrepreneur with a heart akin to the plights of his people. On Thursday, January 28, the Ojaja II of Ile-Ife launched a transportation scheme to aid solve some problems within the transport sector.
He unveiled the “Olofin Adimula” intercity mass transit scheme in Ife, Osun state, saying the intercity mass transit buses which costs over N50 million, were introduced to reduce transportation cost and the challenges faced by commuters.
Ooni unveiling his transportation scheme
It would be recalled that in 2002, Adeyeye led the federal government delegation to Canada that enhanced alliances through a partnership with the government of Ondo state on solid mineral.
5. Custodian of culture, respecter of the most high
The Ooni of Ife has shown that he is a custodian of culture, one who respect the ordinance of the most high God. The Ife monarch is one that thrives in the area of culture and tourism. He recently played host to the contestants of Miss Oodua beauty pageants that paid him a courtesy visit, admonishing them of the virtues of a Yoruba queen.
Though being the custodian of the Oduduwa (Oodua) legacy, Oba Enitan has showed that in his humble self, there is a place of respect for the Almighty God.
Gani Adams and Ooni of Ife
It would be recalled that the traditional ruler was pictured kneeling during an installation thanksgiving held at St Paul’s Anglican, Ile Ife, on Sunday, December 13th and the picture went viral.
He was highly criticized for the singular act, as there were some who believed that he abused his position with his action. However, the Oba revealed that his position could never be compared to the position occupied by God which was the reason for his action.
He said: “God is the creator of mankind and it is God who makes it possible for the enthronement of any king.”
6. Re-writer of history born to unify the Yoruba race
Oba Ogunwusi recently revealed that God has ordered him to unite the Yoruba race. The monarch noted when he received the paramount ruler of Remo kingdom, Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo and other who royal fathers, that the Yoruba people are the most loved people by God on earth and that the race would be able to achieve good things when united.
The Ife king has started making moves to see that the entire Yoruba kingdom is united. It would be recalled that the Ooni rewrote history on Sunday, January 17, when he became the first Ooni to visit Oyo town since 1937.
His visit to felicitate with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, on his 45th coronation anniversary thanksgiving, gave a new view to the “cold supremacy tussle” that allegedly exists between monarchs in Yorubaland.
Ooni and the Alafin of Oyo
At the ceremony, the Ooni said he recognized the place of Oyo monarch in Yoruba history, adding that a new dawn had fallen on Yoruba monarchs and the people.
This famous visit has led many to rethink the silent feuds amongst the Oodua people. Following in the footstep of the Ooni, Governors Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti and Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state set aside their political differences during a meeting.
Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III speaking to Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi during his 45th coronation
Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi shakes Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III after his 45th coronation
Fayose said those promoting dictatorship in a democracy will end up in the stomach of the dictator. According to Fayose, his visit to Aregbesola was in the interest of the Yoruba nation.
The six things of note makes the Ooni of Ife an outstanding monarch and a leader extraordinaire, one who has become a reference point for now and the future. Perhaps if he continues in this stride, then he may earn himself the title of the greatest monarch in modern Nigerian history.
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