Afenifere Leader, Fasoranti felicitates Ooni at 50 

… calls on FG to fix roads in S/West

The National Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti,  on Tuesday, congratulated the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi, on attaining 50 years on earth.

Fasoranti represented by one of the leaders of the group, Senator (Dr.) Femi Okunrounmu, during a visit to the Ooni in his palace in Ile-Ife, described the foremost monarch as the “physical and visible symbol of the progenitor of Yoruba people.”

According statement by the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Comrade Jare Ajayi, disclosed that those in the delegation included former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Senator Iyiola Omisore; Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu; General Olu  Bajowa (rtd); Obaro of Kabba, Kogi State, Oba Solomon Owoniyi; Akire of Epe, Oba Adeniyi Ogunbiyi and Owa Ajero of Ijero, Oba Adebayo Adewole, among others.

The nonanegarian traced the origin of not just the Yorubas but also that of Afenifere which took off in 1951

“As the royal father of our race, you know that the House of Oduduwa is central to the aspirations and wellbeing of Yoruba people. That was why, when leaders  of the Yoruba people were taking the definitive decisions to rid our land of British rule, they came to Ile-Ife to receive blessings and validation.

Reiterating that the visit of “our leaders to this very palace in 1951, is the origin of Afenifere that we still have till today”, Fasoranti declared that the “blessings our leaders received here is still potent and valid till today”.

He went further to say that it “is right and proper that we come to celebrate with our royal father, the Ooni of Ife, to renew the bond of old and to confirm that Afenifere remains faithful to its original tenets”.

To demonstrate how the pan-Yoruba organization is re-dedicating itself to its core mandate, it abrogated the offices of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader earlier this year and set up Afenifere Elders Caucus.

Praising Ooni for “preserving and promoting the culture and tradition of our ancestors”, Fasoranti prayed for the royal father for a longer life and the needed wherewithal to project his fatherland further.

The Afenifere leader who stated that the organization is “conscious of the  challenging times our citizens are passing through”, was however quick to note the efforts being made by  President  Bola Tinubu to address the challenges.

He did not end his speech without expressing appreciation to the National Assembly for passing the  South West Development Commission (SWDC) Bill and expressed the hope that the Commission will take off soon to tackle the infrastructural challenges that the South West is facing.

While commending the Federal Government on the renewed effort at completing the rehabilitation of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Afenifere Leader called on the government to give urgent attention to some other major roads in the south west.

Roads mentioned included Ife-Akure, Akure-Owo, Ado-Ekiti-Ilesa, Ibadan-Ogbomoso-Ilorin, Ibadan-Abeokuta among others.

Oba Ogunwusi in his remarks, expressed profound appreciation to the delegation, stating that he was particularly delighted and felt ‘highly honoured that the leadership of the foremost Yoruba organization thought it fit to come and visit him on the occasion of his 50th birthday.

“I feel highly honoured. Today will remain as one of my most memorable days”, he said.

He stated that at 50, he thanked the Almighty God and expressed his renewed determination to serve Yorubaland  more.

The Arole Oodua urged Afenifere leaders not to leave the President alone.

“I understand that you visited him recently. Do not be far from him  as you need to be giving him necessary advice and support from time to time.”

He then prayed for Nigeria, the President,  Yorubaland and for Afenifere.

Others in the delegation were the Ondo State Chairman of Afenifere, Chief Korede Duyile; National Organizing Secretary of Afenifere, Abagun Kole Omololu; Mr. Dare Babarinsa; Afenifere Legal Adviser, Dr. Akin Onigbinde, SAN;  Deacon Owolabi Oladejo; Mr. Laolu Abogunloko; Lagos State Chairman of Afenifere, Chief Deji Wellington; Mr. Eric Oluwole; Hon. Ayo  Joel, Afenifere, Kwara State; Oba Olusogo of Ijesa; Mr. Olayiwola Popoola and Comrade Segun  Famogbiyele.

Others were Chairman, Afenifere, Ogun State, Comrade (Dr.) Niyi Osoba; Mr. Rauf Fayomi; Ms. Marvelous; Mrs Lucia Alake; Mrs. R. O. Fasugba;  Mr. Aderemi Olayiwola; Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief  Bayo Fajemilua; Prince Adedapo  Abiola; Mr. Akinnusi Inioluwa, and Comrade Jare Ajayi.