The Ooni of Ife, Kabiyesi Enitan Babatunde Adeyeye Ogunwusi, will in October embark on an European tour to meet Nigerians. The monarch will also use the visit to honour distinguished individuals making waves in diaspora. The tour and award which is being organised by Africultural, an organisation dedicated to the promotion of African culture, will showcase the richness in culture through his imperial majesty. Africultural President, Barr Adeyanju Adewale Toyin, in a statement said the “Africulra Award is in conjunction with over 127 Yoruba Associations and communities in Europe with direct diplomatic support of Nigeria consulate offices in Germany, Netherland, Austria and Hungary”.
Adeyanju pointed out that some diplomatic missions in Europe will host the Ooni and other prominent Nigerians promoting cultural heritage home and abroad, to an Awards Dinner in Hamburg on 22nd October, 2016. He stated that Ooni’s tour was important due to the fact that most Yorubas spread across the globe find it difficult to trace and identify their origin. “These people are deeply inculcated into and consumed by the culture and way of lives of the host countries,” he said. Adeyanju explained that Africulra Awards came into existence in the 2012 as an initiative designed to locate, and identify Africans, interact and discover, develop and sustain the uniqueness and values of African culture in them. He stated further that it is a privilege to have a young, dynamic, humble and energetic King of the Yoruba race visit Europe with his forefront role of uniting the entire Yoruba in Nigeria and on foreign soil. “Kabiyesi has brought access of the throne of Oodua which is unprecedented in the history of Ooniship. His royal drive and passion towards economic and social-cultural growth and development of Ile Ife and Yoruba tribe generally in term of tourism, culture and agriculture is immeasurable”. The statement added that during the tour, the Ooni would deliver lectures, pay royal visits to kings and queens, meet African envoys, visit museums and historical places, hold town hall and business meetings, sign MOU with multinational Agro-Allied companies and United Nation Agencies.
A list of those to be honoured include former president Olusegun Obasanjo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala), Chief Akiwunmi Taiwo, Chief Mike Adenuga, Prof Wole Soyinka, Otunba Femi Otedola, Chief Yemi Elebuibon, Chief Folorunsho Alakija, Alh. Aliko Dangote, Emir of Kano, Alh. Lamido Sanusi, Prof Itse Sagay, among others.
