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Ooni of Ife’s, House of Oduduwa Foundation, A Legacy of Service to Humanity

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Written by  the Chief Operating Officer,Adewumi Adediran.

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi‎ (Ojaja II) is a man with a burning desire to see lives transformed; a man who believes in the productivity of the youth as a recipe to chase away poverty from the system.

In many ways than would probably be acknowleged, His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, has been in the business of empowerment across the ages, with a vision to continuously touch the lives of people,while leaving a legacy of service to humanity.

In 2016, the Ooni established The House of Oduduwa Foundation, informed by the urgent need to reduce the level of poverty and also project the Yoruba Culture and Heritage.
A Non-Governmental Organisation, the main objective of the House of Oduduwa Foundation is to expand possibilities for children, women and young people in order that they live healthy and productive lives.

According to a United Nations report, the increasing rise in unemployment and income inequality has adversely affected the economy of Nigeria .

To checkmate this anomaly, it becomes top priority for Nigerian government to provide the right educational infrastructure to develop skills and requisite opportunities that would bring about unemployment and birth entrepreneurs and productive members of society, thereby reducing the level of poverty in the land.

Understanding education as a powerful weapon which can be used to change the World; a passport to the future which unlocks the golden door of freedom, and also knowing this to be a herculean task on the shoulders of the government still grappling with several issues, the Ooni of Ife launched the “NEXT GENERATION” project under the Foundation which aims to alleviate the financial burden of pupils and students whose parents face significant financial hurdles and uncertainty as they work hard to achieve their future dreams.

This Project is more or less a grant, to be awarded on the basis of academic excellence to support Students across the South-West geographical States.
Six States, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Lagos and Ondo are being regard as descendants of Oduduwa with a population estimated at 32.5 million people.
The Oduduwa Descendants also constitute a sizable proportion of the population in Kwara, Kogi and Edo States.

The House of Oduduwa Foundation appeals to Corporate bodies, IInstitutions,Philanthropists and all men of goodwill in Nigeria and Diaspora to partner with the House of Oduduwa Foundation to realise its dream for humanity.

Written by  the Chief Operating Officer,Adewumi Adediran.

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OONI AT THE AFRICAN RELIGION DAY EVENT WITH PRESIDENT LULA IN BRAZIL, ADDRESSES SPECIAL PARLIAMENTARY SESSION

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Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife Kingdom in Nigeria, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, was on Tuesday hosted by the President of Brazil, His Excellency Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in Brasilia, Brazil’s Federal Capital Territory as Royal Guest of Honour during the official launching of annual African Religion Day(ISESE DAY) which held inside the banquet hall at the President’s office in Brasilia, Capital of Brazil.

Ooni’s Wife, Olori Mariam Anako Ogunwusi, Wife of the president of Brazil, the Ooni of Ife, President Lula, Alara of Ilara kingdom and Ajero of Ijero Ekiti during the ISESE Day celebration at the banquet hall of the President’s office in Brasilia, Brazil on Tuesday.

 

Ooni, an African foremost and dynamic king of youth development who has been in Brazil’s states of Sao Paulo , Rio De Janeiro, Salvador Bahia and Brasilia on a 5 day working visit in continuation of his global tour for African People’s Peace and Progress Agenda also while in the country unveiled some initiatives for the reunification of the over 100 milion Afro-Brazilians via his program tagged “Back To Home”

In their talks after the event, Ooni Ogunwusi explained that Afro-Brazilians like their other counterparts in Brazil have done a lot to prove their love and support for the country, urging President Lula not to renege on his promise of an inclusive pro African government.

“I can remember very vividly when your visi to Nigeria in 2003 during the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s term, you still have the love and respect of the African people. We have you in our prayers and we pray that the Almighty Olodumare(God) continues to be with you, with your darling wife who is my daughter and your administration. Africa is proud of you.

In his response, President Lula da Silva thanked The Ooni for his love for him and his wife who he referred to as “Ooni’s daughter” lauded the king for his mission towards reunification of not just the Afro-Brazilians but also Africans worldwide which he believes means well for the global peace.

President Lula told Ooni Ogunwusi that the efforts of the Afro-Brazilians towards nation building in Brazil can not be over emphasized, adding that his government is committed to strengthening the ties between Brazil and Africa which is the home continent of his people.

“My wife is here me always calls you “My father” Your love for us and for our country is indeed well appreciated and I promise you of my continued love for Africa. I have visited 44 countries in Africa and opened 19 embassies because Brazil of my administration has an historic pact to Africa.

My wife and are extremely fulfilled as your presence here today assures that this ISESE DAY has come to stay” President Lula said.

Earlier in the day, the Ooni was at the Federal House of Representatives Chamber in Brasilia where he addressed a special parliamentary session organized in his honour.

At the event which was well attended by the federal lawmakers, Cabinet Ministers and top Brazilian dignitaries, Ooni Ogunwusi called for unity of African descendants across the world, urging the legislative arm of Brazilian government to support President Lula with necessary pro Afro-Brazilian legislations.

“We can not afford to be divided again. We are one, irrespective of colour and race. President Lula is our pride, he remains determined to do well for Africa, and you must support him with legislations helpful to his mission for Africa. That’s all I beg of you if truly we are one big family. What we need now is to unite for growth of all persons and be good to all regardless of religious and cultural differences.

“Look at the good-looking Afro-Brazilians in this chamber who have stormed here to honour me.They all look like my first cousins back home in Nigeria and in other African countries, we are one people and the earlier we recognize the strength in our unity the better for us all.

“I am sitting on an ancient throne of over hundreds of centuries, a sacred throne of the Kingdom where most of you all migrated from. Beyond here in Brasil, I am delighted to inform you that you all have a home in my Kingdom and there are free lands for you to come and build your homes across Africa.

“I vow never to forget you, you are a major part of us in my Kingdom of Ile-Ife and we hope to receive you home soon as possible , in fact ,I have deliberately mapped out free land for you all to come and live, invest and reside.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Parliament’s Deputy Speaker, Hon. Deputado Vicentinho Requerente, who led other lawmakers to receive the foremost African monarch in the parliament, described the Ooni as a caring father whom the Afro-Brazilian community holds in a very high esteem.

The lawmaker who expressed his heartfelt joy in Portuguese, said, “Your presence here today has added to the dignity of people of African origin in Brazil and this day will remain a history making day for life.”

After the parliamentary session, the Arole Oduduwa was hosted at the Nigeria House in Brasil by the Nigerian Ambassador to the country, Amb. Ahmad Muhammed Makarfi who led other African Diplomats to receive the Spiritual Leader of the Yoruba people and the Oduduwa race worldwide.

Accompanied by his amiable queens; Olori Mariam Anako Ogunwusi and Olori Aderonke-Ademiluyi Ogunwusi, the Ooni who is Co-chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) was on the trip with about 40 entourage including notable Yoruba kings like The ALARA of Ilara, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, The Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Joseph Adewole, The Alapomu of Apomu Kingdom, Oba Afolabi Kayode Adenekan and The Alayemore of Ido-Osun, Oba Adedapo Aderemi. Others on the entourage include his brother who is the Sooko Laekun of Ife Kingdom, Prince Adegboyega Ogunwusi, CEO of Ife Grand Resort in Ile-Ife, Princess Kemi Fadojutimi and a retinue of his aides.

Signed:
Otunba Moses Olafare,
Director, Media and Public Affairs,
Ooni’s Palace.

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Art & Culture

NIHOTOURS Boss, Nura Sani Wins The Drum Festival Award In Canada.

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The Drum Festival and Award scheduled for Toronto, Canada in July this year, has named the Director General of the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa (Turakin Kebbi) as the recipient of its Award of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality. He will be presented with the award during the annual Drum Festival scheduled for Fuzion Banquet Hall, Toronto, Canada on Friday, 28 July, this year.
In a letter sent to the NIHOTOUR boss and made available to news men, the organization said the award was in recognition of his tremendous contributions to tourism in Nigeria and Africa at large.
According to the release signed by the publisher of The Drum Online International Media Inc., Prince Segun Akanni, the festival’s committee decided to honour Kangiwa for his achievements in the tourism industry in Nigeria. According to the letter, “the committee has noted and recognized, among other things, your drive to promote African tourism, culture and cuisines through your activity as convener of the famous Argungu Cultural Festival and Polo Tournament in the ancient city of Argungu, Kebbi State.
“We also recognize, among other things, your drive in the promotion and popularizing of Nigerian cuisines; training of over 2000 youths and women across the six geo-political zones on tourism trade craft and hospitality skills; provision of first mobile (motorized) catering services and training kitchen by NIHOTOUR; celebrating Nigerian cuisines day during the World Gastronomy Day; promotion of Nigerian cuisines by hosting Naija Food Exhibition, and many more.
“It is in recognition of this that the management of the Drum Online Inc and the festival committee penciled you down as one of the highly distinguished personalities to be honored at the prestigious occasion in Toronto, Canada.
You will be presented with an Award of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality in recognition and appreciation of your drive, passion and enormous contribution to the tourism industry and as key player in Nigeria’s tourism industry at various times.”
Speaking on the Drum Festival (Ayan-Agalu Festival) Prince Segun Akanni said part of the focus and mandate of the Drum Online Media Inc is a burning desire for African cultural renaissance and promotion hence the organization’s plan and preparation to showcase one of the Africa’s and Nigeria’s most prestigious cultural festivals known as The Drum Festival (Ayan-Agalu Festival).
Some of the activities lined up to celebrate the festival are: Watch out for the following: Procession across Toronto-Mississauga Lecture on Event’s Theme, Arts Exhibition, Drum Competition, Presentation of Award of Excellence and Lots of Mind-blowing side attractions.
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MUSIC RESQUED ME FROM COMMITTING SUICIDE – OONI OF IFE

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The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II has narrated how he had once attempted to commit suicide but had to change his mind after listening to series of inspirational music, describing music as a key component of human existence, an iconic cultural expression and the best endowment from God to humanity for all seasons.
Ooni Ogunwusi gave this this narration yesterday at The Muson Centre, Lagos while speaking during the opening session of the maiden edition of ‘Memorable Moments With Music’.
“This is a very great moment for me. There is power in music. When I almost committed suicide in my younger age as a real estate business man, it was music that saved my life. Music is a perfect communication with God.
“I had become very successful in the real estate sector at a very young age. I took a loan of 8 billion naira about 12 years ago to build an high rise building which I had to pull down by myself when we were already on the 10th floor, and the money went down the drain. Life turned upside down thereafter and the only option was for me to commit suicide, but listening to series of inspirational music reset my thinking faculty to remember the common saying ‘There is Hope When There is Life”
“I have since then adopted music as a very powerful solution tool when faced with challenges, and I made up mind to invest in music and art for the economic empowerment and mental liberation of our youths and the less privileged people in our society. Ladies and gentlemen, whatever you are going through, please don’t give up. Use inspirational music to elevate your spirit
“This is indeed a calling for me and I feel so happily fulfilled tonight with this 1st day of this musical project, a 3 day musical show which I tagged ‘Memorable Moments With Music’. Ooni narrated.
The African foremost monarch stated that he has taken it as part of the overall mission of the House of Oduduwa to establish a viable model of social cohesion through the formation of “Memorable Moments With Music” using as an holistic, invaluable and tremendous strategy that embraces and amplifies the thematic rich stories of Africa through the voices and sound of different musical genres and groups across Africa.
The Co-chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) said he is in collaboration with different musical groups like his own Ile-Ife based Akorin Oodua, Emerald Choir in Akure, Bethesda Home for the Blind, Lagos, UNILAG Choral, Xplicit Dancers, Ibadan
Ekemini Theatre Troupe, Oghene Umu-Africa (Children of Africa), Team Definition, appearance of Kenny Blaq, Bisola Omoge Bata, and other exceptional groups to achieve success for the 3 day musical event.
The ‘Memorable Moments With Music’ holding at the Muson Centre, a 3-day musical program will have its grand finale session by 7pm on Thursday 23rd December 2021 parading award winning artistes and musical groups.
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