Femi Makinde, Osogbo
Her Majesty the Queen of England,
Elizabeth Alexandra; President Muhammadu Buhari; Vice President, Prof.
Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); and governors from at least 20 states, ministers
and other dignitaries are expected to attend the coronation of the new
Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II.
The Chairman, Media Committee of the
coronation, Mr. Biyi Odunlade, said this at a press conference that
started a series of activities lined up for the coronation scheduled to
hold on December 7.
Odunlade, however, explained that the
queen might be represented at the ceremony. He added that guests from
many nations of the world had been invited for the ceremony.
The Ooni also said he was ready to
fast-track the development of Ife with a series of policies, which he
said, would make the Yoruba people proud anywhere they found themselves.
The monarch, who was represented at the
press conference by his elder brother, Prince Adegboyega Ogunwusi, said
he would do everything possible to address the problem of youth
unemployment in the town.
Ogunwusi, who donated 50 transformers to
some communities in Ife before he emerged as the new Ooni, said he
would donate additional 50 transformers within the next 30 days to boost
electricity supply in the ancient town.
He noted that this gesture would make
small scale businesses in the town to thrive because power problem would
have been reduced.
He said, “Let me acquaint you with what I
have done in less than 70 days. I have given out over 20 electricity
transformers worth about N250m.
“I donated 50 transformers when I was a
prince. I will buy another 50 transformers within the next 30 days to
further enhance electricity distribution. With this, small scale
businesses of welders, tailors and others will naturally witness
improvement.
“Providentially, I know the core
investor and the Chairman, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Mr.
Tunde Ayeni, personally and very well. I have engaged him and his team
to make this a reality and work has commenced in earnest. We will
witness this transformation by the very special grace of God.”
“To revamp the stadium, I have already
opened discussion with the Osun State Government on this. I will set up a
football academy and we will have 16 clubs in Ife.”
The new monarch also promised to establish a football academy.
While the press conference was going on, the new Ooni and other guests were at an inter-religious service held at Enuwa Square.
One of the religious leaders, who spoke
at the service, Apostle Joshua Fagbule, urged the people of Ife to rally
round Ogunwusi in order for him to bring about meaningful development
to the town.
PUNCH
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