Ife Grand Resort & Leisure, one of the best hospitality-care centers in Africa, located on an expansive hilltop, adjacent to the Ife-Ibadan Expressway at about 4 km from the heart of the ancient and culturally important city of Ile-Ife, in Osun State, Southwest Nigeria, is the right place to be not only for tourists, fun-seekers, holidaymakers, travellers; but also for government institutions and individuals seeking exciting and memorable experience.

Reuben Abib, the General Manager, of Ife Grand Resort & Leisure, in a chat with Idowu Ayodele, reveals the intrinsic values that set the hospitality center apart from others.

Excerpts:

Why is Ife Grand Resort & Leisure described as the people’s palace?

It is, indeed; the people’s palace! You know not everyone can enter the Enuwa palace of the Ooni of Ife, but Ife Grand Resort & Leisure is the extension of that same palace. Here, at the People’s Palace, everyone can feel and be treated like royalty. We set up on over 328 acres of land, over a hundred rooms with chalets of different categories.

We actually have tree houses as well, very interestingly, they are all air-conditioned, we have Eclipse nightclub, a zoo, African Village, which hosts a Bamboo Restaurant and a local kitchen where guests can visit to witness how local food menus are prepared and served to them in local pots, the Adire Oodua Textile Hub where they make traditional adire clothes (tie-and-dye).

The resort also houses a 200-capacity cinema hall nearing completion and would be commissioned soon, an event centre, a conference hall, an indoor spa centre for manicures and pedicures, swimming pools, restaurants and bar, barbecue, where you can get your catfish, bush meat, palm wine among other facilities. Honestly, there is so much to do here, this is a place to be.

Considering the huge staff strength, both permanent and casual workers, how have you been able to manage and coordinate them for optimal productivity?

We are very much like a family here. So, I see myself like a father figure to all my staff, even a father figure to my customers. We may not always agree on some issues, but the fact is that if you realise you have a relationship that you want it to be extended beyond this present moment, then you have to manage yourself to protect such relationships. There is one Yoruba proverb I owe dearly to my heart is that when a child knows how to wash his hands well, he eats with the elders.

Interestingly, it is something the Yoruba culture has taught me which is the way we treat each other, the respect we give each other, we love each other so much that we bow to each other, in simple greetings, you must adopt humility to succeed. The secret I am trying to bring to the table is that you must love your children even if you must discipline them, binding it together, I think things are working fine here with us.

I am able to manage a diverse group of individuals with unique talents, skills, and abilities.

There are many resorts and hotels in Nigeria, what exactly sets Ife Grand Resort & Leisure apart from others?

We are the source, the cradle of the Yoruba race. The resort itself exemplifies everything that is housed within the Yoruba culture. One of our unique advantages is the pristine rain forest which is just a three-minute walk, and a tropical utopia for leisure seekers and discerning guests who cherish tranquility and communion with nature amid personalised hospitality services.

We are surrounded by nature , both flora and fauna.

We have more than enough facilities, stable security and fantastic personnel that will make your visit to this destination an exciting and memorable experience. In addition to everything you can do here, we are just a few minutes away from the 401 historical and religious sites in Ile Ife, so if you want to see culture first hand, this is the best place to be. There is so much to do here, so much to learn, there is no way even once in a lifetime you can take everything away. We are just a few weeks to Olojo festival, literally there is always a festival in Ile-Ife.

If you really want to get in touch with yourself and your culture, Ile-Ife is the only place to do that, this is the source.

How affordable is Ife Grand Resort & Leisure?

We are the most affordable four-star resort in Nigeria, I can assure you of that. This is the people’s palace, we want it accessible and affordable for all, the reason we deliberately splashed the prices by half. Can you imagine a standard room for N10,000 in a four-star resort?

Having spent some quality and eventful years in Africa, particularly Southwest Nigeria, how would you describe the Yoruba culture?

I am an African American. Growing up in Canada and the US, they will be telling us that our culture is dead. In 2017, when I met the Ooni of Ife and I saw living culture, I saw the culture of the Emeses, the culture of the cult, I saw the culture of the Yoruba people, prostrating before this amazing King, and I was touched to the soul. I am actually a born orphan, and one thing about orphans is that not only that people adopt us, we also adopt people. I must say that I have adopted Yoruba because it resonates with me – the history, the culture, proverbs, and wisdom of the Yoruba people, is something that I feel it is within my soul and it is wonderful.

Likewise, I spent 11 years in the Gambian and I already spent over 5 years in Nigeria, I can always see that for we the repatriated Africans, it is actually easy to find our home here and this is very welcoming. Thank you for sharing your culture with me.

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The Arole Odua and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, married a new wife, Mariam Anako, about nine months after Queen Naomi Silekunola announced her separation from the first-class monarch.

According to palace sources, Oba Ogunwusi received his new bride on Tuesday evening after brief rites at the palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

It was also gathered that siblings of the new queen and Oba Ogunwusi were present at the private ceremony.

Me Moses Olafare, the media aide to the foremost monarch splashed photos and videos of the event on his Facebook page.

Sources also said an official statement will soon be released by the palace.

It would be recalled that the then Queen Naomi had on December 23, 2021, announced her separation from the monarch in an Instagram post and ended the three-year union that produced a son, Tadenikawo.

Though some Yoruba monarchs tried to intervene, however, the reconciliation efforts were unproductive.

In 2008 before his coronation, Ooni was married to Adebukola Bombata but the marriage did not work. After his coronation in 2016, he married Zaynab-Otiti Obanor from Edo State but they separated after 17 months.

The monarch, who married Naomi in 2018, also had a daughter, Princess Adeola Ogunwusi, with Omolara Olatubosun.

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• unveils 3000 seater MICE centre, Ostrich hub, industrial park

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II will on Friday, lead top dignitaries, including Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun state to officially launch Ife Grand Resort & Industrial Park, in Ile-Ife.

Contained in a statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Com. Yera Moses Olafare, the Grand Resort, located beside the tollgate on the Ife-Ibadan expressway is a brand new city of hubs driven by urban renewal initiatives of the Ooni Ogunwusi to serve as the hub for sustainable development, fountain of employment generation, radar of empowerment and satellite for branding and showcasing the cultural heritage and value of Ile-Ife, the source and natural headquarters of the Ile Oduduwa race globally.

According to the statement, the huge investment is a legacy project embarked upon by Ooni Ogunwusi for urban renewal and redevelopment into the current smart city global requirements in the selfless spirit of ‘Charity Begins At Home’

The Ife Grand Resort and Leisure, which is planted on over 1000 acres of land will aside from offering facilities for exquisite lodging/accommodation, harbour multiple industrial parks with pockets of industries currently producing many industrial and agricultural products as well as rendering essential services to the resort, the Ife community and Nigeria.

Sitting comfortably within the Ife Grand Resort which is a focal attraction on Friday is the 3000 seating capacity Meeting Incentives Conference and Event(MICE) Centre branded ‘Ojaja Arena’, a complex of architectural wonder planted by Ooni Ogunwusi to add value of relevance to urban renewal in Ile – Ife.

Ooni Ogunwusi disclosed that he deliberately brought the 3000 seating capacity event centre to make Ile-Ife the epicentre of MICE in Africa, saying that the ‘Ojaja Arena’ has been configured and positioned with all facilities to satisfy demands of Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Event adding that it would also shore up intellectual and congregational activities in Ile Ife, the ancient source of mankind.

“We are building a brand new city driven by urban renewal initiative. The Ojaja Arena is basically not built for social activities but a centre for training and manpower development for youths in this country, considering Ile-Ife to have over 500 thousand students of about 20 tertiary institutions; Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and Schools of Nursing within 100km radius surrounding Obafemi Awolowo University built at the nucleus Centre in Ife over 60 years ago.

The question in my lips has been, what will these young vibrant youths will be doing after tertiary institutions, the best bet is to set up a hub that is technology friendly to boost and drive small and medium scale industries within our country Nigeria by creating a smart city for them to display whatever they can do to become employers of labour after graduation. It is a sad truth that no industries to employ them all. We can only encourage them to create industries for and by themselves because that is the reality on ground”. Ooni said.

The natural traditional head of the House Oduduwa worldwide also revealed that “One of the industrial parks within the Ife Grand Resort Colony, the Adire hub has engaged 50 people, empowered over 150 others and started producing adire in bales which are being exported to foreign countries.

He also disclosed that one of the agricultural parks which specializes in rearing of Ostriches has also employed another set of 40 staff who have started rearing Ostriches in an unprecedented manner with the vision to produce ostrich hides and skin in high commercial quantity for export purposes .

The Co-chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) revealed that the various industrial parks have started receiving collaboration and acknowledgement from Africas in diaspora who are willing and ready to train and empower interested individuals in various segments of the park.

“We have received pledges for training and exchange programs between the Brazilian, Cuban and other governments in the carribeans towards the empowerment of Nigerian youths both the male and female folks for post- COVID -19 empowerment action plan”

“We are occupying over 1,000 acres, we are building a brand new city that Urban renewal and it is going to be a itech environment, it is a smart city that will have a hub, industrial hub, Ostrich farming hub, Adire Hub, Green farming, Sport Academy, film and entertainment village. The resort it is a culture and tourism destination that is close to nature. You don’t even have to move around the country.”

“What we’re doing is to replicate this, we have already commenced in Ondo, Oyo and Lagos states and we shall be launching these projects concurrently. It is a means of creating an avenue for our young minds to see Nigeria from a positive perspective, so we’re creating a country from a country.

“A country in the sense that is a localized environment, for them to be there and be successful and reach out to the world like the typical Adire hub that we have done we are exporting to 25 countries now. We are shipping to everywhere in the world and we have agents all over.

“We started that one just three months ago and it is fast gaining global recognition, the same we are going to start organic remedies (Our herbal medicinal products recently launched strategically with YEMKEM). We’ll soon have a factory here from where we’ll send it to the world.

“So it is an industrial park that is fintech driven and it is through fintech that we’re even selling what we are selling at the hub. They place orders from anywhere globally and we ship to them, life is easy for everybody.

“There is equally the African village that reminds us of our ancient ways of living and yet bring it to the modern world, everything that has to do with pan African is there. Then the sporting arena is another industry that is huge, we would have a mini camp for training and development in the sporting world. We are going to have an 18 hole Golf Course.” Ooni said.

The resort is scheduled to host the Grand reception aspect of the installation activities for the Iyalaje of Oduduwa Race worldwide to be conferred on the Lagos business magnate cum philanthropist, Princess (Dr.) Toyin Kolade by the Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife on Saturday.

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The decision was reached by the governors, traditional rulers who gathered in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, to review the security situation of the zone.

The meeting, which was held inside the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s office, Agodi, Ibadan, had in attendance five governors including the host, Governor Makinde; Governors Akeredolu of Ondo, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Gboyega Oyetola of Osun and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.

The meeting equally had in attendance the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of South-West, David Folawiyo, and security chiefs serving in Oyo State.

Others included the chairmen of Council of Traditional Rulers in each of the South-West states and some first class monarchs.

Some of the traditional rulers who took part in the meeting include the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III; Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinrutan; Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunnjso 1; and Olugbon of Orilegbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao.

Also in attendance was the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko, and other heads of security agencies in Oyo State.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, who spoke at the end of the meeting hinted that though the meeting was at the instance of the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the trio could not fly out of Abuja due to bad weather.

He said that the governors and the traditional rulers thereafter decided to meet to appraise the security situation in the zone.

Akeredolu, who briefed newsmen about the resolutions of the meeting said, “The discussion we had with our Obas and security chiefs have been most productive. Many things we never thought of came up and we heard from our Kabiyesis more mature approach to challenges we are facing in the South West and the country at large.

“And from our discussion, we all agreed that the time is now that we support the decision of National Economic Council (NEC) about forests management. They believe that all the states should be in the position to manage their forests, which will give enough room to determine who is there, what purpose they are serving, and where you have people illegally. The states should be able to take steps to enable us preserve our forests.

“We all agreed that our borders have become too porous, and that we need to do something urgently to prevent foreign herdsmen from coming into this country without any form of caution, because a number of them have come in with their herds and what they do is of concern to us. We all believe that our borders need to be checked and tightened, so that all those foreigners from Niger Republic and those beyond bordering states don’t come in with their herds and destroy our farms.

“We also discussed that, as we are supporting other areas of farming, like rice farmers and others, there is need for government to support cattle breeding.

“One of the ways we can support cattle breeding is to change the ways cattle breeders are adopting now. So, there will be designated grazing areas, as well as feed mills. With these, there is no need to trek with herds from far. But, things that will lead to open grazing in these modern times must be looked at and the state and federal government, in particular, should give as much support as possible to cattle breeders”, he concluded

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The Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II  on Wednesday condemned the prominent Big Brother Naija reality show which he said has been misrepresenting the goodness of the Nigerian youths.

Ooni who doubles as Co-chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) also offered a suggestion for a reality show which will project the country’s values, charging leaders of the National Youth Council of Nigeria to work out plans on the show which will be called, “The Big Nigeria Reality Show”.

According to the monarch, “Nigerian youths are found of accusing and abusing our leaders, stop abusing them and do your bits. Let’s wear our thinking caps and begin to act like real leaders that we are.

“In the last general election, the total number of vote cast is around 27 million while over 170 million people voted during the 2019 Big Brother 9ija reality show. This is a practical reality of who Nigerian youths are and where our priorities lies as Nigerians

“The funny side in all of these is that we still go to bed, have a good sleep and wake up with the hope to meet a Nigeria we didn’t create. Nigerians Youths! Nigerians Youths!! Nigerians Youths!!!

“Unfortunately, every time I talk about this kind of attitude, everyone just laugh and moves on. What kind of nation are we building?

“When people say this country, or what kind of country is this, they are indirectly saying these people – it is the people that make a country; so what kind of Nigerian youths are we?” , the Ooni queried.

Ooni added, “The proposed show will be structured in a way that young professionals, talented individuals and others across several field of endeavour will be showcased and helped to reach their peak. This would help the participants and also help viewers to have access to people that can be seen as role models”.

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Oba Ogunwusi, who was received at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, by the state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, said the donations were his contribution towards assisting the state in the fight against the pandemic in the state.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor received the donations, while also appreciating the monarch for his kind gesture towards the state.

The governor maintained that the fumigators would assist the state a lot in its bid to curtail the spread of coronavirus in the state.

He said: “We are glad to receive Kabiyesi here at the Government House today. We are happy with the fumigators he donated to us, because they will assist us in the fight against COVID-19.

“Kabiyesi came from an enlightened and business background. So, he understands how the economy works and the multiplier effect of things like this. So, I am not surprised at all.”

While speaking, the Ooni said: “We have come to Oyo State to donate two modular fumigators to our forward-looking governor, who we are very pleased with. And we will continue from there.

“Coronavirus knows nobody. It is a leveller and we should all come together to fight it.

“From my business background before I became king, I had a fabricating yard and we came up with a technology of converting liquid to fog and it is very uncommon in Nigeria the way we fumigate. So, we decided to make it 100 per cent home-grown modular fumigator.

“It can be mounted at the back of any truck. We came up together with a lot of youths that are very agile to see how we can look at the opportunity from the disadvantage of the COVID-19 that is all over the world.

“That was why we came up with this initiative that will be useful post-COVID-19. It is useful in construction industry for anti-dust; useful during large gathering because we know our system and culture. We like to gather.”

The monarch promised to continually contribute his quota towards the development of the country.

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The event had in attendance Governors Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo,  Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Seyi Makinde of Oyo,Deputy Governor of Ogun, Noimat Salako-Oyedele, Deputy Governor of Osun, Benedict Gboyega Alabi, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Otunba Deji Osinbogun and Professor Banjo Akintoye.

It would be recalled that a case was made at the security summit organized by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria(DAWN) Commission in Ibadan, for relevant stakeholders to work collectively with Security Agencies in tackling the security challenges in the Southwest region.

Speaking at the launch held in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital,  the Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu who is also the  Chairman, Southwestern Nigeria Governors’ Forum said that governors in the region are committed, in all ramifications, to the ideals that will make the country stronger and more united, and not to divide it.

Governor Akeredolu added that the establishment of Amotekun, is without prejudice to the expectations of patriotic discharge of the mandates as provided in our laws, emphasising that the region is concerned with the security of its people and property.

He said, “Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is appropriate for me at this juncture, to state that the Southwest States of the Federation believe in the unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its indissoluble sovereignty. We are committed, in all ramifications, to the ideals that will make the country stronger and more united.

“The various nation-states within the Federation are diverse, yet almost all of us agree that our strength is in our unity. Consequently, we shall continue to support the Federal Government, under the able and indefatigable leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, in its avowed commitment and determination to take the country to the next level. Let me on this note thank DAWN Commission for the wonderful job done in crafting the operational framework for Amotekun.

“The Commission has taken care of all grey areas that could cause friction in the operations of the personnel that will be deployed for the programme. As a matter of fact, the Nigeria Police will oversee and moderate the activities of Amotekun, thus making its operation conform to the acceptable standards. Amotekun is the Yoruba name for the Leopard. It is not the Tiger, Ekun. It is also important that I allay the fears of all those who have expressed misgivings as regards the quality of the personnel to be recruited to serve in the outfit. There is an adequate recruitment mechanism for the exercise. The conventional security agencies will participate, actively, in profiling the recruits.

“Nobody with questionable character will participate in the programme. We will make it difficult for undesirable elements to compound the challenges being encountered. Proper background checks will be carried out on personnel to be recruited while the needed registration/identification of such personnel will be done to ensure accountability. Let me seize this opportunity to once again appreciate the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police, State Security Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies for their unrelenting efforts in combating the various crimes threatening peace and security in the entire country.

“Your patriotism in keeping the territorial integrity of our dear nation is acknowledged. The establishment of Amotekun, is without prejudice to the expectations of patriotic discharge of your mandates as provided in our laws. We depend on you, mainly, to secure our territory. You are the experts with the requisite trainings. Your patriotic zeal must not wane as a result of this necessary intervention.

“The Governors in the Southwest Region will provide all the logistic support that will enhance seamless operations of the programme. Each of the six States has procured 20 Pick-up Vans equipped with communication gadgets and one hundred motorcycles for the take-off of the Security Network. I wish to enjoin all those that will be in charge of the vehicles and motorcycles to ensure their adequate maintenance and use them only for the intended purpose”, Governor Akeredolu concluded.

Also speaking at the event,  Governor Seyi Makinde noted   that it is the priority of the governors in the region to ensure that both indigenes and settlers living within the boundaries of their various states carry out their legitimate activities in a secure environment.

“When we discuss the development potentials of our states and talk about investment opportunities and growing our Internally Generated Revenue by exploring areas of comparative advantage, we remain keenly aware that we cannot achieve anything in a state of insecurity. And so, we are here. To those who are afraid, I say, when we assumed office, we all took the Oath of Office and promised to be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria; To follow the dictates of the Constitution and protect the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We have not forgotten our oath.

“Our regional integration, our coming together, should be seen in one light and one light alone: That we are coming together to fight a common enemy. That enemy is not Nigeria; the enemies are the elements among us and their affiliates who are determined to cause commotion within the borders of our states and threaten our peaceful coexistence. As this launch proceeds today, we will find that this architecture we have put together is in harmony with the Constitution that we swore to protect. We will also learn that everything we have outlined to do with Amotekun is in line with the existing security architecture in Nigeria. All we are doing is creating an appendage of local vigilantes that will feed the current state apparatus.”

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Flanked by his beautiful Queen, the Yeyeluwa, Olori Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, the Ooni made the call on Tuesday, during an end of the year programme organized for children by the queen tagged; Children Fun fair with Olori Naomi, held at the Ile Oodua palace of Ife.

“Children, I want to implore you to be obedient to your parents and teachers. You all are going to be great people in life, stay away from bad friends and ask necessary questions from your parents and guardians if anything is unclear to you.” The Ooni advised.

While felicitating with the children who stormed the palace in their large numbers, the Yeyeluwa lamented that issues pertaining to the young ones were not well attended to by the government, calling on all relevant stakeholders to act accordingly.

“If you look around our country, you will realize that programmes and policies of governments at all level favour the youths and the elderly, leaving behind the children who are leaders of tomorrow.” Yeyeluwa noted.

On the motivation behind the programme, Olori Naomi explained that it is a product of her love for the young children, adding that they must be well tutored and mentored.

“An avenue like this through which children come together to sing, dance and play a lot of games help in putting them in the right frame of mind. I added gift items in order to give back to the society in my own little way and also give all children here a sense of belonging.” The queen added.

The Wife of the Governor, Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola who was represented by the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Bose Oyebamiji congratulated the children, noting that the government will never leave them alone.

“Alhaja Oyetola loves you and she asked me to tell you to face your studies and be obedient children to your parents. Happy new year 2020 in advance.” She said.

In her message to the Ooni and Olori Naomi, Mrs. Oroyemi Elizabeth who is the proprietress of Covenant Orphanage Home lauded the duo for the programme.

“Everybody knows that the Ooni is our father who has been there for us, and I am not surprised when I realized that our mother, the queen is taking after him by catering for the poor and less privileged members of the society. I appreciate them both and I pray that God Almighty will continue to bless them.”

Similarly, seven-year-old Olufunke Faseyi who could not hide her joy thanked the queen for creating the beautiful event and the gifts she got. Eight-year-old Emeka Ume equally thanked the Ooni, adding that he was happy to be with his school mates again.

Eminent personalities at the event coloured by several cultural displays were the wife of the Osun State All Progressives Congress’ Chairman, Mrs. Olubunmi Famodun, wife of the Osun State Head of Service, Mrs. Kikelomo Oyebade among others.

The happy children who went home with several gift items including toys, clothes and food items were entertained by the prominent comedian, Ayo Ajewole popularly known as Woli Agba and other performers.

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The foremost African monarch gave the admonition on Monday during a ceremony of Proclamation Day, Flag Exchange presentation of city key done in his honour by the government of the City of Brampton in Toronto by the Mayor of Brampton Patrick Brown, his wife Genevieve, cabinet members and members of Nigeria community led by His Excellency, Ambassador Adeyinka Asekun alongside senior officials of the embassy of Nigeria in Canada.

Welcoming the visiting Ooni and his entourage in his speech, the 41 year old Mayor expressed delights at hosting the epoch event describing himself as being lucky receiving such a revered African king.

“Your Imperial Majesty, I feel so delighted to be your host today. The city of Brampton is humble to be your host for this great event because you are one of the greatest kings in the world.
I visited Nigeria in 2006 and I was in love with the country. It is a great country of great people and great cultures.

“We know you, you have been preaching peace and harmony all over the world and that is why we have decided to honour you today”. Mayor Brown said.

According to the Mayor, the city of Brampton hosts over 60, 000 Africans and Caribbeans with Nigerians standing out contributing immensely to the socioeconomic development of the city and Canada in general.

“This city have over 60, 000 Africans including Caribbeans residing here. This population has more Nigerians doing very great.”

“Your majesty, I feel great everyday to see these great Nigerians contributing to the development of Brampton and Canada socially and economically.”

“I look forward to visiting Nigeria soon for productive collaboration and my first point of call will be Ile-Ife because I have read and heard about the cultural richness of Yoruba people who have you as the overall head”,he added

Ooni Ogunwusi in  his speech proclaimed Brampton as the city of love, appreciating the warm reception and honour given him.

“I proclaim this city as ‘city of love’ because you have so welcoming and receptive. I could feel in your spirit what is called love through this warm reception.

“You have been good to Nigerians and I feel so proud of the positive roles Nigerians are also playing in the economic life of this city which is the fattest growing city in Canada. I confirmed this during my meeting with the cabinet members of this government who told me how Nigerians have impacted positively. It is now evident that good things can actually come out of Africa”.

Admonishing Nigerians in Canada to be patriotic ambassadors in the country, the Spiritual father of Yoruba race worldwide said
“If everyone can be like Canada. We know what country of Canada “man must be kind to one another. Canada is doing this.

“We as Nigerians should always think of how to benefit our country for the goodness of our unborn generations. I appeal to you Nigerians living here never to write off your country.

“This proclamation doesn’t go to me alone, it goes to all of you from Nigeria. These are the ways we should be portraying Nigeria to the world

“I hold this honour of proclamation flag exchange dear to my heart and I will carry it with pride.

“In appreciation of this honour, I also bring u a gift of bronze cast which emanated from our land in Africa”.

The Co-chairman of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) accompanied to the event by his beautiful queen, Olori Silekunola Ogunwusi (Yeyeluwa), the Nigerian ambassador to Canada, H.E, Adeyinka Asekun, the Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko, HRM Oba Yisa Olanipekun, the Oloba of Oba-Ile, HRM Oba Adekunle Oyeyemi, Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi(Iya Adura), Coordinator of Imperial Awards and CEO of Hope4Sure Initiatives, Miss Peju Oke, Toronto based Pharmaceutical business giant, Prof Isa Odidi, Chairman of Okey Equipments, Mr Okey Eze, members and leaders of Nigerian community in Canada.

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While addressing the multitude at his Ile Oodua Palace in the town, the Ooni who was flanked by his beautiful queen, Olori Silekunola Ogunwusi ( Yeyeluwa) and Obalufe of Iremo-Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura, told his audience which included farmers and traders, priests across the land that peaceful coexistence is the secret to economic prosperity.

Ooni, the Co-Chairman of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) lamented that the country has suffered economically from the clashes between farmers and herders, he therefore charged the two groups to embrace peace as a tool to enhance productivity.

“Both farmers and herders are two critical stakeholders in food production, I want to advise them to use peace to boost productivity.

“The government has been trying and has even promised to step up the fight against insecurity in the country. So I call on all stakeholders in food production especially the farmers to be patience with the government’s approach towards stabilizing peaceful coexistence across the country.” Ooni said.

On the motivation behind the recent economic boom across Ile Ife markets, Ooni Ogunwusi described the ancient city as one of the prominent cities known for countless economic activities earlier before modern civilization.

“The abandoned ancient Oja-Ife market also spiritually known as Oja Ejigbom’ekun which is the first market in the world and others like the Itakogun and Ajifowobaje markets as well as Oja Tuntun have been revived to bring back the lost economic glories of Ile Ife.” The Ooni noted.

The African foremost monarch who is also the Spiritual father of all the Yoruba people worldwide closed his speech at the annual Yam Festival with prayers that Nigeria would soon defeat the insecurity menace currently facing the country.

He also prayed for economic progress and agricultural productivity while he symbolically sliced a tuber of yam which is a declaration that farm produce can now be consumed across Yorubaland, after which tubers of yam and other farm produce were shared among the excited participants.

The post Yam festival 2019 : OONI urges Nigeria’s farmers, herders to close ranks for peace, economic progress   first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post Yam festival 2019 : OONI urges Nigeria’s farmers, herders to close ranks for peace, economic progress   appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.