"Ooni Charges Ife indigenes To Show More Commitment to Community Development "
October 1st 2023 was a remarkable day for Ife sons and daughters as His Imperial Majesty and custodian of culture of the entire yoruba race honoured some of prominent Ife sons and daughters home and in Diaspora with community service award.
The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has challenged the indigenes of Ile – Ife, Osun State to contribute to developmental growth of Ile-Ife and the Yoruba nation as a whole.
His Imperial Majesty revealed this during the dinner reception organised by House of Oodua to specially honour the illustrious sons and daughters of Ile-Ife with awards pf recognition at the 2023 Olojo Festival.
Among the awardees were Dr. Gbenga Olowo, Chairman SABRE WEST AFRICA AND CENTRAL AFRICA REPUBLIC, who was honoured with the Community Service Award for his contribution towards the elevation of Ile-Ife.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the initiative ,His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi said it is indeed a dream come true as it has been one of his long term dream to bring many outstanding Ife sons and daughters across the globe to appreciate the importance of origination. the Ooni of Ife Community Award, which was held at the palace, has attracted the interest of many .Ogunwusi appealed to the sons and daughters of Ile-Ife in the diaspora to return to the homestead to foster development of Ile-Ife.
He regretted that some of the indigenes preferred to develop other cities, while neglecting Ile-Ife, but reiterated that the palace was willing and ready to work with everyone in order to develop the area.
He specifically said that the palace belonged to everyone and urged them to return home for its development.
Speaking on the award, Ooni said it was to celebrate the valuable contributions made by individuals and corporate organisations to the general advancement of Ile-Ife as a community.
He explained that the Ooni of Ife Community Service Awards is an extra ordinary way to appreciate, commend and recognise the amazing contributions of individuals and organisations from across its borough.
The awards were divided into three categories; Outstanding Leaders, Achievers and Community Service.
No fewer than eight individual and organisations were honoured by the Ooni, while the Osun State Government, Mr. Ademola Adeleke was represented by his beautiful wife chief Mrs Titi Adeleke, the First Lady of Osun State.
Also present was Chief Alex Duduyemi, Yeye Oodua and Erelu Kuti of Lagos Abiola Dosunmu Fernandez ,UN delegates, UNESCO Delegates, South Africa delegates, Brazilian delegates, Royal fathers , and numerous other illustrious sons and daughters of Ile-Ife.
Speaking on the award presented to Dr Gabriel Olowo, the Ooni described Chairman Sabre West Africa as one of the eminent sons of Ile-Ife who believed in quality service delivery with class .
He recalled that Olowo was the first Ife indigene to host him in his Golf View Hotel in GRA Lagos a few months after his installation as the Ooni of Ife.
He said: “Dr. Olowo does things with a touch of excellence, class and details. He has moved the region up through his activities and he performs excellently well in the aviation industry.
"His Imperial Majesty said Elder.Dr Olowo was the first person to host me when I assumed the throne as Ooni of Ife. I slept in his hotel with peace of mind.
"Whenever I get across to him, he answers me immediately and attends to my needs with all the seriousness it deserves. He is an Elder in the church, but he doesn’t joke with anything that concerns Ile-Ife. He is humble despite being a wealthy personality. We need to celebrate people like him for their contributions to the community and society ”
In his response to the award, the chairman American Aviation Technology Company Sabre west Africa and central Africa Republic Dr Gbenga Olowo, commended His Imperial Majesty Ooni for recognising his “little contributions” to the elevation of Ile-Ife.
The Chairman Golfview Hotel and Conference Center expressed his utmost gratitude to the entire ife dynasty, that the recognition would trigger him to do more for the community, just as he appealed to others to join hands with the His Imperial Majesty to move ile Ife forward .
Chairman Interguide Group commends Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi ojaja II, for his unique innovations since he became king and promised to always work with the traditional institutions to move the ile ife forward.
He said: “I feel very honoured and delighted that the little investment that we are putting on ground at Ile-Ife is recognised so quickly by the Imperial Majesty himself. Despite the age of the city, which is rich in culture. People are looking for cultural heritage all over the world; linkages. What is exciting most is that when we develop cultural tourism, it is not only tourism that will evolve, but other things too will grow.
“ currently I am also working closely with His Imperial Majesty to establish a standard
Golf course in Ife and lauch a tournamentthat will be named afteroir amiable dear King. it will drive a lot of traffic and boost maximum tourism within and across the continental and intercontinental as now an airline is already flying into Ibadan and all the value chains in Ibadan and Ife will benefit; the hotels, restaurants, bars,lounges and the life of the people will record a boost as people will be given job employments.
“I want to appeal to all sons and daughters of Ife to pull hands together and come around this amazing vibrant, innovative royal father . It's pretty clear His imperial majesty has a lot of foresight and beautiful plans for the kingdom and entire yoruba dynasty across the world for not only growth, but for future developmental growth.”
In the same vein, DG IFE BUSINESS SCHOOL PRINCE DR MAKINWA ADERETI , commend His Imperial Majesty for this laudable initiative and also the choice of people he has chosen specially to award, I can testify categorically that Dr Gbenga Olowo is an amazing classic personality with great beautiful track records in the professional sphere . He committed man to development upgrade and growth of the society. It is a well deserved award and I commend him once again especially for his humility insoit being a wealthy personality.
One of his corporate communications aide, Olatutu oladunni who is also the PRO Diplomatic Protocol Professionals in Nigeria expressed an utmost joy as His Imperial Majesty presented the award to the awardees himself.
Olatutu oladunni who's also the chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria Lagos chapter said it is important to appreciate your people being a king as this will enable our dear father to get larger support from his people and they will work with him.to realise his vision for ile ife and entire yoruba race.
Others awarded at the ceremony were Prince Yera Adeyemo, Late Chief Orayemi Orafidiya, Chief Buraimo Adewopo, Chief John Agboola Odeyemi, Mrs. Ladun Lawal, Chief Anthony Olufidipe and Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (Orisun FM).
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