Ile-Ife Gets A New Ooni: Adeyeye Ogunwusi

A new king has been unveiled for the Yoruba town of Ile-Ife, in Osun State.

He is Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi of the Giesi ruling house and a
holder of Higher National Diploma in Accountancy from the Polytechnic
Ibadan. He is 40 years old.

According to a 24 October 2015 statement, entitled "Appointment of a
New Ooni," , "This follows the completion of the due process and the
communication of their (Kingmakers') choice to the government."

Ogunwusi will sit on the throne of Oduduwa, left by Oba Okunade
Sijuade, who died on July 28 2015 in a London hospital.

The statement was signed by secretary to the state government, Alhaji
Moshood Adeoti.

The announcement of a new Ooni followed Friday's judgment by an Osun
State High court dismissing a suit challenging the Ooni of Ife 1980
Chieftaincy Declaration.

Sooko Adegoke and Prince Marcus Adebola Akimoyero on behalf of
Lafogido Ruling House of Ile-Ife, had sued Governor Rauf Aregbesola,
the Obalufe of Ile-Ife, the late Oba Solomon Omisakin and Lowa of Ife,
Chief Joseph Ijaodola over the decision to allow only the Giesi Ruling
House to present a candidate for the stool.

The plaintiffs asked the court to set aside the 1980 Ife Chieftaincy
Declaration which they said was "lopsided, unjust, unconstitutional
and unfair."

Here is the new King's profile, according to his website,
www.adeyeyeogunwusi.com
Prince Adeyeye is best described as an astute entrepreneur driven by
turning 'impossibilities to possibilities'. His power of imagination
has set him aside hence revolutionizing his approach to creativity and
innovation. He is a distinct achiever with the conscience of youthful
excellence.

The ambitious Young Prince with exceptional savvy business ideas
delved into Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) locally
and abroad for over 12 years. He is also actively involved in the
development of over 2,500 housing units with various consortia of
developers within the last 8 years. In Nigeria, He set up and fostered
strong trade relationships through the Association for International
Business (AIB) with presence in over 200 member countries across the
globe. One of the laudable achievements of this body includes the
trade facilitation between the United Arab Emirates (Jebel Ali free
Trade Zone development) and the Federal Government of Nigeria through
the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

Furthermore, he led the Government delegation team to Canada in 2002
that promoted strategic alliances through a partnership with the Ondo
State Government on solid mineral potentials of the State (Bitumen,
Dimension Stones, Granite, etc.) that gave rise to the formation of
the 'Amalgamated Mining and Exploration Company Limited' – wholly
owned by Ondo State Government.

He facilitated the development of Sparkwest Steel Galvanizing Plant
(the only Steel Galvanizing Plant in Nigeria), National Iron Ore
Mining Company Limited and Jakura Mines resuscitation projects, which
has eventually become the major limestone feedstock to Obajana Cement
Plant in Kogi State, Nigeria.