Ife Grand Resorts & Leisure: Ooni is really peoples’ king — Director
By Jeleel Olawal
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has been described as peoples’ King in Africa. This was said in Ile-Ife by the Director of Operations, Marketing and Sales of the Ife Grand Resorts and Leisure, Mr Reuben Abib.
He eulogised Oba Adeyeye for establishing the Ife Grand Resorts and Leisure in Ile-Ife, the source of Yoruba race, saying the industry has created jobs for unemployed youths in the country.
“I choose to work in Ife Resorts because of its beautifulness with rich African cultural heritage. It is located within the source of Yoruba race. It is a haven of tourists attraction. There are many reasons to have chosen the industrial hub.
“Ife has history of over 70,000 years and very few in the world, let alone Nigeria, that has rich cultural heritage like Ife. There are 401 cultural strine in Ile-Ife and on every single day in Ile-Ife, there is a festival going on,” he said.
Speaking about his experience in Ile-Ife, Reuben said he had worked in Gambia, Canada, United States of America and Careabean, saying his experience in the Resorts is unique.
“This is my fourth year in Nigeria and I’m the 2nd manager to work in the Resorts. The industry is new, well equipped in terms of varieties of convenience and attraction. It housed a lot of activities which made it unique. It is a different experience every day.
“It has 90 per cent domestic choirs compare to hotels in other countries. It is difficult to replicate this experience. This is a special innovation in Nigeria. It is a peoples’ palace. Ooni Adeyeye has brought development to Ile Ife with emphasis on job creation as he promised when he ascended the throne of his forefather,” Reuben said.
He said the industry was built in 2017 as a cultural heritage to provide first star hospitality environment for people of Ile-Ife, business travellers and corporate entities to come and enjoy.
He said, “It is the art of cultural hospitality industry one could imagine.”
Reuben stressed that the industrial hub has sections like African village on art and culture with hospitality experience, ousrich farm, village farm to grow food for kitchen, Ojaja Arena, Adire industrial hub, Eclipse night club, Flower factory.
“All these provide jobs for the people. There is forest spirits ‘Igbo Olodumare’,” he said.
He opined that the property encompasses core African heritage which is opened for people in all works of life. He called on people of Ile-Ife to continue to support Ooni Adeyeye in his quest to make Ile-Ife the industrial hub of Africa.
“Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is a foremost traditional ruler in Africa who I am so pleased to work with.
“It is my dream come through. I am loved and honoured and proud of working with Oba Adeyeye. My family is proud that I’m serving with the most dynamic king in Africa. He is really the people’s king. He has time for me and everybody. He is my father, I so loved him and will continue to serve him,” he said.
