Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP), Adewole Adebayo of Social Democratic Party (SDP) among other dignitaries are expected at the 2022 Ife Day celebration.
Other invited dignitaries include Wale Olanipekun, Prof. Wole Oladipupo, serving and ex senators, Obas from different states among others.
The chairman of Ife Day Development Board (IDB), Dr Yomi Layinka hinted this during a press conference in Ile-Ife, Osun State over the weekend.
He said some of these presidential aspirants mentioned have been notified and have assured them of their presence.
Speaking on the purpose of the celebration, Dr Layinka said this year celebration is to mark the seventh coronation anniversary of Ooni, Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi as the 51st Ooni of Ife.
He said the king has done wonderfully well in terms of infrastructure and helping the vulnerable in the town.
“His youthful energy and enterprising initiatives have added value to the social and economic development of the Cradle,” he added.
The chairman also said the celebration is meant to award some set of people who have contributed greatly to the development of the town and those who has help the less privilege in one way or the other.
Dr Layinka called on tourists all over the world who wish to explore historical and spiritual legacies in Ile-Ife to attend the event in order to satisfy their curiosity.
In his words, “As inheritors of this proud heritage, we bear the historic responsibility of living up to its established accomplishments acknowledged by historians and archaeologists as a community that developed stone, iron, bronze, and brass technology in the early ages.
“In this regard, we passionately salute the vibrant, visionary and brilliant leadership of His Imperial Majesty, Arole Oodua, Ooni Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II. We thank our ancestors for blessing us with this Oonirisa. His youthful energy and enterprising initiatives have added value to the social and economic development of the Cradle.
“This year’s Ife Day is a double bill event. It marks the seventh coronation anniversary of Ooni Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi as the 51st Ooni of Ife.
“It will also feature the public presentation of IFE VISION 2050, the roadmap for the implementation of the Ife Development Agenda. Other activities have been arranged to accentuate these objectives. For instance, this 7th coronation anniversary will enable the people of Ife and their friends across the world to appreciate the agenda of peace and development enunciated by the Oonirisa on his ascension to the Throne seven years ago.
“Despite unwarranted provocations from various quarters and agitation by many who still feel aggrieved over land matters, Kabiyesi Ogunwusi has walked his talk as the ambassador of peace by seeking cooperation and encouraging harmonization not only among people of Yoruba descent but between peoples of various cultures and nationalities.
“We are happy that the Federal Government, in recognition of his herculean efforts, recently decorated him with the well deserved national honour of the Commander of Federal Republic, CFR. In his citation on that occasion, he was justifiably commended as a promoter of peace and unity.
“The second objective for IfeDay 2022 is the Unveiling of the Ife Vision 2050. This is a critical phase of our renewed efforts to harness the potential of our environment for communal progress.
“As a part of that agenda, the IDB in 2020, passed a resolution to hold a workshop to explore the strategy of IfeVision 2030. In October and November 2021, this series of workshops enabled us to develop our 30-year Urban Renewal Development plan leveraging the four pillars of agriculture, mining, tourism and technology.
“Other industrial estates dedicated to the mining, tourism, and technology sub-sectors shall be launched at future editions of Ife Day.”
Also, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II has applauded journalists across the country particularly in Osun State, for not heating up the already tensed polity in the country as they work daily.
Ogunwusi made the commendation on Saturday, while playing host to the leadership and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council at his Ile Oodua Palace, Ile-Ife during the annual dinner tagged “An Evening With The Ooni”.
“You all have proven via responsible journalism that you are nation builders and not alarmists, even in the face of intimidation and provocation, you have all stood your ground as patriotic Nigerians.
“I am aware of your unquantifiable efforts towards ending the recently called off industrial action embarked upon by the Association of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other trying times in our land. I wish to thank you immensely for these and I urge you to sustain this gesture.
“As a royal father who is aware and appreciate all you do daily, I shall continue to support this great union in all ramifications. In this regard, I hereby pledge to give double of what I donated to the association last year.” Ooni Ogunwusi stated.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of Media & Public Affairs to the Ooni, Otunba Moses Olafare described the relationship between the ancient Palace and the journalists as helpful to the entire public.
“I am so glad that we have been able to sustain this culture over the years, this has indeed helped to curb misinformation, fake news and other anomalies. The Palace belongs to you all and I assure you that the Ooni being our father is always willing and able to listen our concerns.” Otunba Olafare said.
In his address, Chairman of the NUJ Osun State Council, Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu thanked the Ooni for his support for the union over the years, describing the Ooni as the pillar behind the union’s success.
“Kabiyesi, I equally have the mandate of the union to thank you for appointing one of use; Adewale Adetoyese as your Private Secretary. Baba, we consider this as an honour done to us all and we thank you very sincerely sir.”
“But like Oliver Twist, we are here yet again with requests for your continuous support materially and in other ramifications.” Comrade Ajadosu stated.
