A Yoruba Leader Worthy of Emulating
Africans, Nigerian, and the Yorubas have been waiting for a great leader to emulate and we have one in Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, who was as the 51st Ooni of Ile Ife on December 7, 2015, succeeding the late Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yorubaland was encircle by dignitaries from around the world to witness the presentation of the staff of office to the new Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II by the Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola on Monday 7 December 2015 at Enuwa Square, Ile-Ife in the presence of several dignitaries, including the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
Since his coronation, the king has made news for a number of notable actions and pronouncements including the promise not to re-litigate supremacy battles with other Yorùbá kings.
The Ooni of Ile Ife is the spiritual head and father of all Yorubas. (Arguable by other school of taught) All the Ooni are traced down to Oduduwa, who is seen as the ancestral father of all the Yoruba people. Ooni Oranmiyan, who is said to have lived between 1200 and 1300 A.D, became legendary for his role in creating many new towns.
On January 17, 2016, Ọba Ogunwusi broke a 79 year-old discord between the thrones of Ifẹ and Ọyo by visiting the Alaafin, the first of such visits in eight decades by an Ifẹ monarch, to grace the Alaafin’s 45th coronation anniversary thanksgiving, held at the Methodist Church, Apaara, Oyo State.
Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeyemi and his four wives
For almost four decades, the late Ooni of Ile Ife Oba Sijuwade and the Alaafin of Oyo Oba Adeyemi were embroiled in supremacy battle.
The Ooni wearing his trademark attire, Oba Ogunwusi shook hands with the Alaafin and they sat on the same chair, both beaming with smiles. Present at the historic event were no fewer than 30 Obas which included the Timi of Ede, Owa Ajero of Ijero, Ore of Otun Ekiti, Orangun of Ila, Akinrun of Ikirun, Aragbiji of Iragbiji and Elerin of Erin Osun
The significant message sent by the Ooni, Oba Ogunwusi who is fourty-two years old probably the youngest seating Oba on any prominent stool or Obaship in the whole of Yoruba land speaks volumes for his agenda to unite all Yorubas all over the world.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeyemi said: “The misunderstanding started during the reign of the last Ooni. May your reign be long, Ooni. I am happy with Ooni Ogunwusi’s moves to unite all Yoruba Obas.”
On his part, Oba Ogunwusi, who described the Alaafin of Oyo, as a great monarch, pointed that “it is a new dawn for all Yoruba sons and daughters around the globe,”
The pragmatic move by the Ooni Oba Ogunwusi to visit the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeyemi was to put eight decades of accronious that have separated these two great Yoruba traditional institutions apart for far too long.
Oba Ogunwusi should be emulated, because as a public figure he advocated for the empowerment of the youths in Nigeria. During his visit with President Buhari in February 2016. Ooni revealed that he had assembled 200,000 youths who were ready to engage in agro-activities, saying that 5 acres of land had been mapped out for each youth. He also has instituted a number of progressive causes in Ile Ife including a cocoa farm meant to feed thousands of widows in the state. He has reinvested into the ancient city of Ile Ife updating infrastructure, roads and turning the city into
a tourist haven.
In March of 2016, the custodian of Yoruba traditional stool – Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, took care of business by marrying his new bride, Wuraola Otiti Zynab Obanor, in south Benin, Edo.
Ooni of Ile Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II
Wuraola Otiti Zynab Obanor, the new bride of Ooni of Ile Ife
The traditional wedding took place at the Edo Hotel, Okada Drive, GRA Benin City, Edo State. The wedding was attended by several top dignitaries. The Ooni, Oba Ogunwusi was absent at the ceremony due to tradition, but was around for their Thanksgiving celebration on march 13, 2016 which kicked off at noon at the Royal Court of Ife, Aafin, Enuwa Square in Ile-Ife, Osun state.
Oba Adeyeye, Ojaja II, unveiled a 42 feet tall statue of Moremi Ajaroso on Monday, November 22, 2016.
The statue was constructed on the same spot Moremi lived several centuries ago.
Moremi Ajasoro’s statue takes over from the statue of Jesus (28 feet) constructed in Imo state, as the tallest in Nigeria.
Queen Moremi, according to Ife folklore, saved the ancient Yoruba town of Ile-Ife from raiders. It is said that Moremi allowed herself to be captured by the raiders so she could learn their secrets. History says these raiders usually came covered in palm fronds, to give them an ominous presence and some sense of invincibility. After Moremi learned about this secret in captivity, she escaped and returned to Ile-Ife, where she told her people that fire was the bane of the raiders, hence the peculiar torch-holding in all her statues. Late last month, the Ooni of Ife decided to pay homage to one of his ancestors. The statue was erected and build by about 200 youths and all the meter oaks used were sourced locally in Nigeria. The Ooni once said during an interviewed that Nigeria should use its locals as its resources. That every thing that he wears is made from local materials, his clothings, shoes, beads to mention but a few thinks, except for his Rolex watch.
Oba Ogunwusi has shown that in over a little over a year, he has already done a lot with the ideas of thinking outside the box and getting things done for his people. The Oba’s term is for life and we at Odu’a Organization of Michigan and IleOduduwa.com also have a young leader like Oba Ogunwusi his name is Asiwaju Shola Salako. Long Live Oba Ogunwusi worthy of Emulating.
IleOduduwa.com the Source is ennobling this great culture and language of the Yoruba people is a worthy endeavor to undertake and continue to share with the world it’s rich history, heritage, traditions, culture, and language that is spoken by sixty million people around the world.