How 40-yr-old Enitan Ogunwusi emerged 51st Ooni
A key actor in the process that led to the emergence of a 40-year-old Prince Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi as the new Ooni of Ife, on Monday shed light on some the factors considered before his choice was arrived at.
The Osun State government had in the early hours of Monday announced the choice of Prince Enitan Ogunwusi of Ojaja family unit from Giesi Ruling House as the Ooni designate.
Before Prince Ogunwusi's appointment, the last descendant of the Giesi ruling house that occupied the position was Ooni Derin Ologbenla and that was between 1880 and 1894.
When our correspondent visited Ile-Ife environs after the announcement, soldiers and policemen dominated the streets.
The soldiers were seen on routes that led to the Ooni's palace and houses of some of the kingmakers, including Lowa.
Some youths were also seen celebrating the emergence of Ogunwusi in Mayfair area of the ancient city.
When our correspondent conducted an opinion poll, 21 of the 23 respondents welcomed the emergence of Ogunwusi while the remaining two were neutral.
It, however, came as a shock to many when one of the contenders for the post, Omo Oba Sikiru Adetona Ayedun, conceded defeat and congratulated Ogunwusi.
Ayedun said: "I hereby congratulate the Kabiyesi, the new Ooni of Ife Omo Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi on his emergence as the 51st Ooni.
"I equally wish you a memorable and eventful coronation in advance. Igba re atuwa lara.
"The efforts of the Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, cannot but be commended for his leadership role in making the process crisis free. Sir, you remain cautious and steadfast.
"The Ife kingmaker also deserves commendation for their unity of purpose. Ile Ife is greater than all of us and we must all work together for his greater upliftment.
Speaking to newsmen at the residence of Pa Ropo Ogunwusi, the father of the new monarch, the chairman of Ife Central Local Government Area of the state, Dr. Taiwo Olaiya, said all political office- holders in Ile-Ife and the kingmakers arrived at his choice after considering some qualities that stand him out among the 43 princes that vied for the vacant stool.
Olaiya said the new Ooni's impressive records in the field of business endeared him to all the people involved in the selection process, adding that the need to quickly industrialise the ancient city of Ife and provide jobs for many youths was considered in his choice.
He added that Ogunwusi's understanding of the Yoruba culture, despite being widely travelled and generosity, even when he had not shown interest in becoming Ooni also worked in his favour.
According to him, Enitan Ogunwusi also displayed unmatched humility and calmness that was hard to come by among all the contestants, saying the fact that the business tycoon made his money without being linked to any party or government also counted in his favour.
In his remarks, the father of the Ooni-designate, Pa Ropo John Ogunwusi, said before his birth, a man of God had predicted that Enitan will be great in life and achieve unprecedented success.
Ogunwusi, who retired at Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, OSBC, added that he started noticing pointers to the coming into fruition of the prophesies when Enitan started making headway in business.
He told newsmen that he had ceased being his father the moment Enitan was announced as Ooni-designate.
Speaking to newsmen inside Ile Oodua, Ooni's palace, the head of Isoro Cult and head of all deities in Ife land, the Obadio Oduduwa, Oba Olajide Ifaloba, said the emergence of Ooni Enitan Ogunwusi was "divine" and appealed to those that contested the throne with him to see his choice as "product of grace", demanding total support from all stakeholders in the town in the interest of peace.
Ifaloba allayed fears that human sacrifice may be done as part of rites before installation of new monarch but added that rites that would performed would be done mostly at nights.
"We rejoice with him and thank the creator for giving us a monarch in his class. Those that vied for the throne with him must now see Oba Enitan as father that must be supported to lift Ife. We pray for him a long life and good health to administer the town and the entire Yoruba land", Chief Ifaloba said.
Commenting in similar vein, Chief Olaolu Dada, Arole Obatala Agbaye, said the announcement of Ooni designate signalled commencement of new set of rites that must be performed before the new monarch can sit on the throne.
He said the spirit of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade was still lurking around the palace, saying it must be chased out first to allow the new monarch have a peaceful reign.
He however urged all residents and visitors to the town not to panic, stressing that all rites that would be performed would not affect businesses or movements within Ife metropolis.
Giving insights into how the new monarch would be installed, Oba Isoro, Eluyele Olawenu, Owa Eredumi of Ife, said the first step, after royal entrance of the new monarch into the town today (Tuesday), would be for him to proceed to his father's compound from where he would move to Ilofi where rites would be performed for 21 days.
Oba Eluyele, who declined giving detail information about the rites, said the new Ooni would have spent three months in Ilofi before his installation, but explained he would be spending 21 days because of the forthcoming Olojo Festival.
Oba Joseph Ijaodola, the Lowa of Ife and one of the two lead kingmakers in Ile Ife, while speaking to newsmen, called on other contestants to be patient and support the new monarch.
Ooni designate, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi sources said, may be received at Ife end of Ibadan express way today (Tuesday) with an informed source saying Ifa was being consulted to determine the best day for him to enter into the town.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has congratulated the new monarch.
Dogara in a congratulatory statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, explained that the role of traditional rulers in nation-building cannot be over-emphasised.
The Speaker urged the new Ooni to emulate the works of the late Oba Sijuwade, whom he said, had left an indelible mark in the history of Nigeria as a peacemaker and a bridge between different people of the country.
While assuring of the cooperation of the House of Representatives, Dogara noted that the "legislature is open to the wise counsel and invaluable support of the new Ooni in its quest to effect change and re-position our dear nation for enduring peace, security, accelerated growth and development.
''As you ascend the glorious revered throne of your forefathers, I join your family, the good people of the historic kingdom of Ife, friends, proteges and well-wishers to ask God to guide, guard and give you wisdom to lead."
''I note that the position of Ooni carries with it authority, influence and power and therefore I urge you to rule with the fear of God and serve as a father to all," Dogara remarked.
He also appealed to the ruling houses in Ife and citizens of the kingdom to unite behind the new Ooni and give him the much needed support.
http://dailytimes.com.ng/how-40-yr-old-enitan-ogunwusi-emerged-51st-ooni/
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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