1 month ago
7 ARTICLE AD
The National Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has congratulated the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on attaining the age of 50 years.
Fasoranti, in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Jare Ajayi, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, described the foremost monarch as the “physical and visible symbol of the progenitor of Yoruba people.”
The nonagenarian traced the origin of not just the Yoruba but also that of Afenifere, which took off in 1951.
“As the royal father of our race, you know that the House of Oduduwa is central to the aspirations and well-being of Yoruba people.
“That was why, when leaders of the Yoruba people were taking the definitive decisions to rid our land of British rule, they came to Ile-Ife to receive blessings and validation,” the statement read.
The delegation was led by one of its leaders, Femi Okunrounmu, to the palace of the Ooni at Ile-Ife.
Reiterating that the visit of “our leaders to this very palace in 1951 is the origin of Afenifere that we still have till today,” Fasoranti said the “blessings our leaders received here are still potent and valid till today.”
He went further to say that it “is right and proper that we come to celebrate with our royal father, the Ooni of Ife, to renew the bond of old and to confirm that Afenifere remains faithful to its original tenets.”
While commending the Federal Government on the renewed effort at completing the rehabilitation of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the Afenifere leader called on the government to give urgent attention to some other major roads in the southwest.
“The roads include Ife-Akure, Akure-Owo, Ado-Ekiti-Ilesa, Ibadan-Ogbomoso-Ilorin, Ibadan-Abeokuta, among others.”
Responding, Oba Ogunwusi expressed appreciation to the Afenifere delegation.
He said that he was particularly delighted and felt highly honoured that the leadership of the foremost Yoruba organisation thought it fit to come and visit him on the occasion of his 50th birthday.
“I feel highly honoured. Today will remain one of my most memorable days.,” he said.
Those in the delegation included former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, former Osun State Deputy Governor, Iyiola Omisore, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, General Olu Bajowa (retd), Oba Solomon Owoniyi, Obaro of Kabba, Kogi State, Oba Adeniyi Ogunbiyi, Akire of Epe, Oba Adebayo Adewole, Owa Ajero of Ijero and others.
Another delegation of the group, led by the Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, was also at Ooni Palace in Ile-Ife for a congratulatory visit.
The delegation conveyed a goodwill message from the leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo.
Others on the delegation were Chief Supo Shonibare; Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele; Akin Osuntokun; Adebayo Adenekan; Mrs Toyin Falade; Mr Olusegun Babalola and Prince Justice Faloye, National Publicity Secretary, among others.
Oba Olaitan lauded the benevolent and cultural leadership of the Ooni, including service to humanity, adding that his deeds would remain indelible in the annals of Yoruba history.
Afenifere, in a statement on Tuesday, said the Ooni was delighted by the visit, as he recounted the history of the relationship between the stool and Afenifere.
The monarch implored the elders and leaders of Afenifere to get more youths into the group, to continue the tradition of selfless service to humanity.
