….As wife honours palace staff, aides
By Jeleel Olawale
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II has thrown a huge party to celebrate and reward all members of staff in the palace and his traditional aides with cash and car prizes as part of activities marking his 7th coronation anniversary.
This is contained in a statement signed and released by the Ooni’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare and made available to journalists in Ile-Ife.
According to the statement, Ooni explained that the motive behind the event which was powered by Hopes Alive Initiative (HAI), a non-governmental organization belonging to his wife, Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi,that he has recorded numerous successes because of the contributions of all palace staff members and traditional aides around him.
“All I have to say here today is a very big thank you to you all for all you do day and night which has made my duties as the Arole Oduduwa easier. Please do not stop, huge rewards beyond mere physical goodies await you and I pray that the Almighty Olodumare in his infinite mercy rewards you abundantly,” the Ooni said”.
Ooni Ogunwusi who is also Co-Chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) eulogized his beautiful queen; Olori Temitope, describing her as a great woman of substance with great philanthropic character who has worked with him for 5 years in caring for the needy.
“My appreciation can not but go to Hope’s Alive Initiative particularly my darling wife, Olori Temitope who has spent her last 5 years complementing my efforts especially in the area of poverty alleviation and empowerment for the less privileged people in the society.
“God has indeed blessed me with good wives who are my true friends and partners in progress. The purpose of having many Oloris is not to engage in competition but rather to give an avenue to raise the glory of Africans in the bid to work more in the area of helping humanity through the queens who are institutions in their own right.
“They are products of prestigious Universities in Nigeria and abroad. I have doctor, I have a lawyer, I have a marine scientist cum fashion designer, I have Alumni of Cambridge and Harvard, I have UK Certified Chartered Accountant and so on.
My wives are not just physically beautiful, they are also mentally sound, well educated, civilized and were well brought up through balanced parental systems. Why won’t I bless the Almighty Olodumare”?
“I have become everything I had wanted to become in life. All I need now is to be raising people to the top, support the less privileged ones in our society and help the African youths to grow in productivity. And, I’m blessed to have quality women of substance who are dedicated to my vision. Why won’t I bless God Almighty?” He asked rhetorically.
Ooni therefore, signed appreciative letters given out to deserving staff with a sum of N100,000 each for five people, N200,000 each for three people, N250,000 each for two people, another got #300,000, while three outstanding staff got one million naira (N1,000,000 million) each, one of whom won the star prize; a car worth seven million naira (N7,000,000 million).
In her remark, Olori Temitope Adesegun Enitan-Ogunwusi who is the Deputy Convener/CEO, eulogized her husband the Ooni Of Ife for giving her an opportunity to be a blessing to this generation. She described the event as the start of a new dawn in the ancient palace.
Olori Temmy (as fondly called) praised the staff and royal aides at the palace, encouraging them to continue to give their best in promoting the glory of the Oduduwa race through the Ooni of Ife who is the Natural Head of the race globally.
“I’m forever grateful to my caring and loving husband, the Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II for giving me the opportunity to be useful like we are witnessing this evening.
“My word tonight is that of advice to you all, I want you to know that serving the Arole Oduduwa is a rare privilege which I want you to treat as such. Be assured that your efforts day and night are seen and appreciated,” Olori Temitope Ogunwusi advised.