The sacred city of Ile-Ife, cradle of Yoruba civilisation, served as the epicentre of a historic convergence on Saturday as national leaders, international dignitaries, royal majesties, business titans and a dynamic generation of African youth gathered to honour the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on his 10th anniversary coronation.
The commemorative event, rich in cultural significance and forward-looking vision, featured an anniversary lecture and the seminal unveiling of Ojaja University’s Ile-Ife Campus.
Delivering the keynote anniversary lecture on behalf of the Board of Trustees and Governing Council of Ojaja University, the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the council, Prof. Lere Baale paid a heartfelt tribute to the Ooni’s transformative decade.
He praised the monarch as ‘an enigma, a reconciler, a global royal diplomat, and a cultural renaissance leader whose visionary influence has decisively elevated Yoruba heritage onto the world stage’.
Baale crystallised the pillars of the Ooni’s legacy, underscoring a reign that has:
Elevated the throne: Positioned the sacred throne of Oduduwa as a global beacon of culture and peace through historic engagements at the united nations and international forums.
Forged national unity: Emerged as a respected voice of calm, consensus, and reconciliation, fostering harmony across Nigeria.
Empowered a generation: Pioneered groundbreaking youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and cultural tourism initiatives, creating thousands of jobs and opportunities.
Reinstituted tradition: Reinvigorated traditional institutions as indispensable partners in sustainable national development.
Championed education: Catalysed generational transformation through a commitment to knowledge, culminating in the founding of Ojaja University.
‘This decade embodies divine preservation, exceptional courage, and the rule of a monarch who leads with truth, compassion, and visionary purpose’, Baale reflected.
Unveiling Ojaja University, Ile-Ife: A cathedral of African knowledge
The crescendo of the celebration was the unveiling of the Ojaja University Ile-Ife Campus — a landmark achievement hailed by Baale as ‘a prophecy fulfilled and a centennial legacy for the future of African youth’.
He articulated the university’s foundational mission as:
- A cultural embassy and living monument at the birthplace of Yoruba civilisation.
- A continental hub for technology, artificial intelligence, innovation, cultural enterprise, and digital transformation.
- A platform for African scholarship, where the continent narrates its own stories through world-class research and academic rigour.
- A custodian of indigenous knowledge, committed to advancing African systems of thought, including the institutionalisation of Ifá Divination into accredited degree programmes.
The lecture paid homage to Africa’s profound intellectual heritage, invoking the legacy of Imhotep — the ancient polymath, architect of the first pyramid, and foundational figure in science, medicine, and engineering. ‘Ojaja University will ensure that Africa’s majestic intellectual history, so often obscured, is restored to its rightful glory’, Baale affirmed.
A clarion call for global collaboration
Baale extended a powerful invitation for worldwide partnership, urging support through:
- Scholarship funds for brilliant, underprivileged students.
- Endowed chairs and research centres in specialised fields.
- Strategic investments in campus infrastructure, libraries, hostels, and healthcare facilities.
- Technology partnerships and academic alliances to foster global exchange.
‘Kabiyesi has laid the cornerstone. Now, it is our collective duty to raise the walls of a future we can all be proud of’, he declared.
A monarch for the ages: Homage to a visionary father
In a heartfelt conclusion, Baale paid tribute to the Ooni: ‘You are a king whose light cannot be hidden… a leader whose compassion bridges generations… and a father whose legacy will inspire eternity’.
He prayed for the monarch’s continued long and prosperous reign. He reiterated Ojaja University’s unwavering commitment to immortalising the Ooni’s vision through a relentless pursuit of excellence, innovation, and cultural renewal.
About Ojaja University
Ojaja University is a pioneering institution of higher learning founded by Ooni Ogunwusi. Dedicated to the seamless integration of African heritage with global innovation, the university operates campuses in Ile-Ife and Ilorin. Its mission is to establish a preeminent continental hub for leadership development, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, cultural studies, health innovation, enterprise, and transformative research.
