 Theme: "Tourism Potential in Yorubaland: Landmarks, Culture & History” by His Imperial Majesty OBA ADEYEYE ENITAN OGUNWUSI Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife Date: AUGUST 20 Venue: SHELL HALL, MUSON CENTRE, ONIKAN, LAGOS Time: 10AM Followed by the screening of EKO: IWURE OLOFIN (THE BLESSING OF OLOFIN) PROFILE OF OBA OGUNWUSI, OJAJA II Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (born October 17, 1974) is a Nigerian accountant and the 51st Ooni of Ife. He succeeded the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade who died on July 28, 2015. He is described him as "an astute entrepreneur driven by turning impossibilities to ‘possibilities’". Professional background: Adeyeye is a trained accountant. He attended the Polytechnic Ibadan. In 2002, he led the Federal Government of Nigeria delegation to Canada that enhanced alliances through a partnership with the government of Ondo State on solid mineral. Selection and coronation: On October 26, 2015, Oba Ogunwusi was selected as a king-elect out of 21 contenders to the Ọọ̀ni stool. As a prince from the Giesi Family whose turn it was to produce a king, he beat a number of competitors including his elder brother. He received his Staff of Office from Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Raufu Adesoji Aregbesola on Monday December 7, 2015 at Enuwa Square, Ile-Ife. The new king promised to unite the Yorùbás under a peaceful and prosperous reign. Achievements: Since his coronation, the king has made news for a number of notable actions and pronouncements including the promise not to re-litigate supremacy battles with other Yorùbá kings. On January 17, 2016, Ọọ̀ni Ògúnwùsi broke a 79-year old antagonism between the thrones of Ifẹ and Ọ̀yọ́ by visiting the Aláàfin, the first of such visits in eight decades by an Ifẹ monarch. He has instituted a number of progressive causes in Ilé-Ifẹ̀, including a cocoa farm meant to feed thousands of widows in the state. Honours On June 12, 2016, Ọọni was presented with the key of the City of Sumerset, Franklin Township in New Jersey and honoured with the proclamation of the town of Franklin alongside his wife Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi (Yeyelua). Personal life: Ọọ̀ni Ògúnwùsì hails from Giesi Royal Family, one of the four royal families in Ilé-Ifẹ̀, Osun State, Nigeria. The last Ọọ̀ni from the family was Ọọ̀ni Dérin Ọlọ́gbẹ́nlá (1880-1894). Ọba Ògúnwùsì assumed the title of Òjájá (II). Ojaja (I) was from Agbedegbede Compound, Irẹmọ Quarters (the ancestral home of the Giesi). His father is Prince Rọ́pò Ògúnwùsì, a veteran broadcaster. He is the third son in a family of six. (Adapted from Wikipedia) Track Record in Tourism: Oba Ogunwusi is the founder of Inagbe Grand Resorts & Leisure -- a first of its kind resort set on the tranquil banks of the magnificent Lagos Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. Developed by Gran Imperio Resorts Ltd (a subsidiary of Gran Imperio Group, a real estate development consortium), the resort captures the essence of nature, culture and tradition – built with almost 100 per cent local materials. SYNOPSIS “EKO: IWURE OLOFIN (The Blessing of OLOFIN) captures the life and times of OLOFIN, the founder of Lagos. It is the first of a trilogy comprising -- “EKO: The Reign of the OBAS” (on the life and times of all Lagos Obas); and, “EKO: Governments in POWER.” It narrates how a brave Ile-Ife Prince left his ancestral home in pursuit of fame, honour and glory as was the common practice then. OLOFIN (Yemi Blaq) was told by the diviner Adifala (Peter Fatomilola) to leave Ile-Ife with his wife AJAYE (Kehinde Fasuyi) and follow a calabash on a river journey. He was instructed to settle in the land surrounding the river where the Calabash sank. He proceeded on the journey with his wife, his diviner Awopegba (Oba Oriola) and 32 other retainers. When they got to Ijebu the calabash stopped; and, as they heard sounds of drums and songs they waited to investigate only to meet the Ijebus at a celebration. They were received and they stayed for some time before proceeding on their journey. They got to a place and the calabash sank; they established a settlement and called themselves AWORI. After 49 weeks, the calabash resurfaced. Leaving part of their entourage behind to affirm that OLOFIN was there (thus the name Isheri Olofin: “To bear witness that OLOFIN was here); they proceeded to follow the calabash to Iddo, where it finally sank. They settled in Iddo and the land flourished and was peaceful. Later they were joined by other peoples, especially the Bini travelling between Bini and Dahomey. After so many years of peaceful coexistence, a particular woman Aina Agan (Bukky Wright) -- who was wealthy and powerful – had a clash with OLOFIN and his children. She was accused of witchcraft and all her assets confiscated. She was to be arrested and tried but escaped to Bini. She reported her case to the Oba of Bini who sent a delegation on a fact-finding mission. However, the messengers rather than proceeding on the mission, went back to Bini and told the Oba they were attacked. On hearing this, the Oba commanded Asheru (Toyin Salako), Ajigbida (Segun Okogbe) and Olorungbiwe (Sunday Afolabi) to raise an army to attack Iddo and bring OLOFIN to Bini. The army engaged Iddo warriors led by Alapini (Ganiu Nofiu) and the Bini army was defeated during the sea and land battles. Later they bribed Ajaye, who told them the secrets of OLOFIN; and he was subsequently captured and taken to Bini. At Bini, the Oba was told that OLOFIN’s blood must not be spilled on Bini soil, so a mud prison was built without windows or doors where OLOFIN was confined. Meanwhile, in Iddo the Bini warriors led by Esikpa (Shakiru Abe) took over the administration of the town. While fighting in Isheri, Asheru died and it fell on Esikpa to take him back to Bini. Esikpa returned to Bini with the corpse of Asheru and the Oba instructed the Eletu Odibo (Olumide Bakare) to crown him (Esikpa) king of Eko; but, Esikpa died before reaching Iddo and so his son Ado (King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal) was crowned the first King of Eko. Back in Bini, after so many weeks in solitary confinement, OLOFIN -- rather than die from starvation as expected by his jailers, was fed by forces unknown. Bini land fell into bad times. Upon consultation with the oracle, the Oba was told that a special person was being punished in the land and until he is released, the land would not experience peace. Thereafter, OLOFIN was released and he returned to EKO. The story ended with the blessing OLOFIN bestowed on his sons in particular, and inhabitants of Eko in general. Major Cast: Bukky Wright; Yemi Blaq; Alapini; Toyin Adegbola (Ashewo); Toyin Adewale; Bisola Badmos; Sunkanmi Omobolanle; Leye Adesile; Salome Eketunde; Ibrahim Chatta, Tope Bally, Rachel Oniga, Lanre Hassan (Iya Awero); Jaiye Kuti, Orisabunmi, Peter Fatomilola; Olumide Bakare, Kaka, Gbenga Richards etc Crew: Producer: Fola Onifade Director: Femi Bright PM: Wale Kosemani Easy Assoc. Poducer: Tunji Olanloye DoP: Ibarahim Suleiman Sound: Fatai Izebe Lights: Soji Omotosho Make up: Yemisi Ale
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