One Year of Ooni Ogunwusi

We had wanted to leave the rest of the Panorama of this December to Mama H.I.D Awolowo as recorded by Professor Wale Adebanwi. Little did we know that there were events that would occur and make us postpone our dates with our Mother In-Israel, Mama H.I.D

As we write this, the Ooni of Ife, Kabiyesi Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, is one year old in office. Ojaja 11 is without doubt the current holder of the Ooni title in the most prominent city of the Yoruba people.

When he became the Ooni of Ife one year ago, I was not able to join all his admirers in going to Ile-Ife to pay my respect and record my loyalty. His predecessor, the late Baba Ooni Okunade Sijuwade, was very close to me and many people. There is however nothing one can do when sickness tracks you down. I was not able to move at that time because of ill-health.

I was told by a group of young media organisers who had called on me to come and write a piece on Kabiyesi, Oba Ogunwusi. The youngmen also sought an appointment with me to discuss the idea. I failed to honour the appointment because I simply forgot an earlier commitment that I had given to a newspaper that had sought to have an interview with me on contemporary events in Nigeria. I was to have told the young professional media group that rather than write for their magazine, I would prepare a piece on Oba Ogunwusi for my Political Panorama Column inside the Nigerian Tribune.

I was just directed by instinct to seek an appointment with the Ooni three weeks ago in order to come and pay my respects to him since his getting to power last year. I have respect for Obaship in Yorubaland. I never joke with traditional institutions. As I write this, I have a father/son relationship with the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland. I love Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, the Owa of Ijesaland. I am equally very close to many other prominent rulers in Yorubaland and Nigeria. I therefore sent my friend at Ife, Mr. Elutilo to help secure an appointment with Oba Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife.

The day I was to visit Kabiyesi the Ooni was also the day I had scheduled to pay the family of my friend, Rasheed Gbadamosi, a condolence visit in Ikorodu. Though I could not honour the 2pm appointment I had secured with the Ooni visit at Ile-Ife, Kabiyesi was kind enough to see me at 5pm, three hours after the scheduled time at Ife.

Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi is a very brilliant and intelligent traditional ruler. I got to the Palace at the time some blind students were equally paying a courtesy visit to the Oba. It was exciting to observe the way the Ooni had received the blind delegation. I must say it with all the emphasis at my command to report here that Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi displayed a rare leadership that I had been observed with all leaders like him in all my adult life. These disabled children were not only made to feel very much at home with the Kabiyesi but to make them forget eventually their plight of being blind people. I will never forget the spectacle I witnessed at Ile-Ife three weeks ago, Ooni Ogunwusi greeted me as if we had been pals many years ago. I was so visibly moved the way Kabiyesi had received me.

If the choice of who to become the successor to Oba Okunade Sijuwade had been made to be an electoral exercise, I would have unhesitatingly voted for Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade. This is because I know Prince Tokunbo very well and his father Oba Okunade Sijuwade was virtually a son to Papa Obafemi Awolowo. Of course, there was no electoral voting as the Ife Kingmakers had to pick their own choice. Besides, I am Ijesa and not Ife. I want to say it again with pride in my veins that Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi is a popular choice and a man who had direct support from God. The Ife people have a good choice in him and by the grace of God his reign will bring peace, joy and happiness to the Ife people.

I had the opportunity of getting a good briefing from Monica Taiwo and photographer, Adeyanju (who had recently interviewed Baba Ooni Ogunwusi at Ife). They so praised the Ooni that my curiosity in seeing the Oba increased that day. When I saw Kabiyesi Ooni Ogunwusi, it was as they had said of the Ooni. The discussions I later had with the Ooni convinced me that Oba Ogunwusi is very visionary, very approachable and very amiable.

The Yoruba people are blessed with great Obas. The Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran is one of such Obas. So too is the Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

His development programmes for Ile-Ife and for Yorubaland are simply exemplary and praiseworthy. He has a unique power of convincing his listeners about events. No one can visit him without being charmed by his intellectual power of speech making and warmness. By God’s grace he will make a great Oba.

I left Ife Palace at about 8pm on the day of my courtesy visit to him. I enjoyed every second of my stay.

Handsome, tall and with a commanding personality, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11 is equally a politically beautiful Nigerian traditional ruler! I simply love him! Long may he rule in Jesus name!!

SISTER TOLA OYEDIRAN AT 76

Few days ago, our very dear Sister and Egbon, Evangelist (Mrs.) Tola Oyediran, turned 76. The event was ably reported by the Tribune group of newspapers. I equally join many others in sincerely wishing our Sister a very happy birthday. Sister Tola is number 2 of the siblings of Papa and Mama H.I.D Awolowo. Sister Tolaan Evangelist of God carries the grace of God in her body. Mrs. Tola Oyediran is very kind and considerate. You cannot but admire her.

She is today a successful house wife and the Chairman of the Tribune Titles. Our loving Sister Olatokunbo Dosunmu is her Vice-Chairman. Ask Sister of any assistance, she will give it to you for as long as the assistance is within human grasp and reach.

We wish her many more birthdays on earth before biological process of human development takes its toll.

Sister, congratulations! We will always wish you well!!

• EBINO TOPSY – 0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY SPLEASE)

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