Pegasus Reporters Issues on the Wing
As the Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ile-Ife prepares to celebrate his five years on the throne on December 7 2020, the reflection on the success of his reign remains the reawakening of the world’s Black Consciousness. The ever bubbly co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional rulers in Nigeria have moved from ensuring peace amongst all Yoruba Obas, building a united front, recognizing and aligning with black in diaspora, naming Bahia in Brazil the spiritual capital of the Yorubas in Americas to recognizing and supporting youth activeness in culture, empowerment and peaceful coexistence and building enterprise.
According to Wale Williams, a communication consultant and the coordinator of the Ileya Omo Oodua projects for the Ooni of Ile-Ife, “the revered King on getting to the throne of his forefathers began immediately to work towards bringing peace amongst all Yoruba Obas and creating a united working relationship with other tribes and religions in Nigeria and across the world. Ooni Ogunwusi’s dream has always been to see to the reawakening of the Black consciousness across the world. He says ‘Black Consciousness is the realization by the Black man of the need to rally together with his brothers around the cause of their oppression, the blackness of their skin and to operate as a group in order to rid themselves of the shackles that bind them to perpetual servitude.”
“Spirituality is a subjective impulse that urges us to evolve towards eventual wholeness. It is a source of healing and a motivation for world service. It is a force that shatters the ego and conditioned reality, breaking through to new stages of evolution” – Ooni of Ife
Continuing, Mr. Wale Williams quoted the Kabiyesi as saying that “Black consciousness is also a broad category that encompasses things as varied as race consciousness, race relations, black pride, black power, and even rebellion and revolutionary consciousness as it relates to a historically oppressed community, nation, or group acting and reacting against oppression.” This has been the hallmark of the Kings five year achievements’.
For years, the throne has been too far away from the people thereby creating the unseen, unforeseen image that has allowed disunity to foster amongst the Yoruba race and refusing to take the leadership position to bring succour to all black people across the world” According to Williams, “Ooni Ogunwusi’s outward trajectory has become a guiding light to all black people who seek the true knowledge of their spirituality”. Pressed further to speak about the essence of this spirituality, Williams explained further that “Spirituality is a subjective impulse that urges us to evolve towards eventual wholeness. It is a source of healing and a motivation for world service. It is a force that shatters the ego and conditioned reality, breaking through to new stages of evolution. Spirituality deals with understanding the nature of the Soul and one’s journey back to identifying with the Soul and experiencing it as one’s true nature. Spirituality is the expansive science about how to be blissful. These are all the core narratives of Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi’s mien which many have construed differently by naysayers but as undoubtedly, eyes always on the ball”
The position of the Ooni of Ife does not allow for criticism of any religion because all religion have a purpose and are directed to Olodumare but to ensure that each person (soul) is awaken to their spirituality to allow fostering of peace, success and tranquility.
The Kabiyesi believes that for each and every one of us to be successful and to live in harmony, we must first understand the spirituality that makes us who we are and recognize the differences between your religion and your spirituality. The position of the Ooni of Ife does not allow for criticism of any religion because all religion have a purpose and are directed to Olodumare but to ensure that each person (soul) is awaken to their spirituality to allow fostering of peace, success and tranquility. Ooni’s effervescent moves has led to the recognition of the Yoruba language as a national language in Brazil after his visit in 2018. It has led to the REBIRTH of many blacks in diaspora who have visited Ile-Ife and to be rechristen by traditional Yoruba names at different colourful naming ceremonies. It has resulted in many groups, families and towns, some led by their nobles and royalty to trace their ancestral roots back to Ile-Ife so they can understand the essence of their true existence. It has led to the boosting of youth empowerment, youth support and the creation of different platforms for their safety in achieving their lives successes.
Seated on the throne of Oduduwa, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi has continually tagged himself as “Afuniso” (holder of the throne), thus relating to everyone, every tribe, every religion and welcoming them to the ancient city. That is why the Ooni celebrate Ileya Omo Oodua festival every December for the past five years.
*Mr. Adewale Williams (Photo credit; pegasusreporters)
The festival which holds every year to celebrate the coronation anniversary of the king will be celebrating its fifth edition this year. Activities will include the launch of a coffee book titled Oduduwa: The spirituality of World Peace, this book will also be translated to French and Portuguese. Another book titled ‘Blackman’s Rebirth; Reawakening of the Black Consciousness will be launched to give an understanding to all the blacks in diaspora about their role as the first citizens of the world. Notable Nigerians and Blacks in diaspora will follow the path of Chief Mrs Nike Akande (Irawo Nla), Chief Mrs Folake Solanke (First female SAN), Alabukun and many others to receive the Irawo Oodua Awards. This year, there will be more posthumous awards for Nigerians who have distinguished themselves and for many blacks in diaspora who found their way back to Africa and lit the light of the Black consciousness to get us to where we are today.
The Descendants of Olofin Ogunfunminire will officially launch the OLOFIN REBIRTH project at the palace to strengthen their bond of brotherhood. Our mothers will officially launch the IPEJOPO OBIRIN where all Yoruba mothers will look at the underlying factors affecting our families and seek ways to address them. This year’s festival will commence from 4-8th December 2020.
©Pegasus Reporters
