Ife Voices

13/08/2019

IFE VOICES

25/07/2018

Ye si lo mon oruko kan un pe ewe yi

07/06/2017

OONI EXPRESSES SHOCK OVER THE DEATH OF PROFESSOR OSOTIMEHIN, CONDOLES HIS FAMILY, AFRICA, UNITED NATIONS

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on Tuesday expressed shock over the death of the Executive Director of United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) and former Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Dr. Babatunde Osotiomehin describing him as one of the greatest human assets owned by the Continent of Africa in the recent times.

Ooni Ogunwusi in a statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Comrade Moses Olafare recalled the warm reception given him and other Yoruba's notable traditional rulers a year ago at the UN Building the late UNFPA's boss where he pledged​ to support the Ooni's agenda for the Youth Development, Women Empowerment and mobilize the United Nations assistance towards putting an end to maternal mortality in Africa.

“the entire Royal Court of Ife was thrown into a rude shock with probably the most shocking news in the last one year when the news came to us about the death of this great African who had served as the Executuive Director of UNFPA”.

“Osotimehin played host to His Majesty and his team on Monday 13th June, 2016 at his United Nation Population Building office in New York where he expressly accepted the king’s request of his support and that of the United Nations to put an end to maternal mortality death
“The palace recalls very vividly how Kabiyesi Ooni and his entourage and other Yoruba top monarchs like Ajero of Ijero – Ekiti, Timi of Ede, Orangun of Ila, Olufon of Ifon, Alayemore of Ido – Osun, Elerinmo of Erinmo – Ijesa, Onigbaye of Igbaye, Alaagba of Aagba, and others were hosted at the United Nations building in New York and what transpired therein.“ Ooni said.

The statement which reads in parts also says
"The African Topmost Monarch told the UNFPA Boss during the visit that he had visited him as one of his important subjects being a descendant of Oduduwa who was making the race, Nigeria and Africa proud as the head of such a very important arm of the United Nation. He asked him to support the continent of Africa especially Nigeria in the eradication of maternal mortality rate incessantly facing our women and also solicited his support and that of the United Nations for the Youth Development and Widows empowerment in Africa.

“Kabiyesi Oonirisa deeply commiserates with his family, with the members of Oduduwa race worldwide, with our dear country Nigeria, with the continent of Africa, and the entire United Nations system on this sad death which is very shocking, very painful, and untimely especially at this time when Africa and Nigeria need him most. His death is also painful because the Palace and his office were already packaging some women empowerment programs in addition to what he had started with His Imperial Majesty to put an end to childbirth mortality cases not only in Yorubaland but the entire Africa which had gotten to about 70% maturity stage.“

The Spiritual Leader of Yoruba race assured that Professor Osotimehin will not be forgotten in the history as he will personally immortalize the late great descendant of Oduduwa who was once the Nigeria's Minister of Health.

"We will design a befitting project to immortalize Professor Osotimehin for he had served the world, he had served our continent, he had served our country and he had served our race too remarkably and indelibly to be forgotten.” Ooni said.

02/05/2017

Published on May 2, 2017According to reports from Lagos has it that the palace of the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu is currently on fire.
The monarch is said to have been taken to a safe place.
Officials of Lagos state fire service are within the palace trying to put out the inferno.
The real cause of the fire outbreak is still unknown at the moment.
The incident is coming barely one week after the Oba publicly shunned the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
There were claims by a certain Tunde Awoyeni that the palace would invoke the wrath of his ancestors on the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.
Oba Ogunwusi in his reaction denied planning to curse Oba Akiolu.......Omode bu iroko. Opoju wo e yin...

According to reports from Lagos has it that the palace of the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu is currently on fire. The monarch is said to have been taken to a s...

24/07/2016

OONI IN GHANA, SUES FOR AFRICAN UNITY, DESCRIBED AS KING OF PEACE & UNITY

Accompanied by his amiable queen Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi(Yeyelua), The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi(Ojaja II) on Friday 21st July 2016 admonished President John Mahama of Ghana and his government to prioritise the unity of Africans by relaxing policies that encourage the physical and mental boundary set between African countries by the colonial masters with the emphasis that Africa must unite for prosperity as his mission is to promote peace, unity and progress of the black race.

Ooni Ogunwusi is on a four day visit to the West African country made this statement at the Flagstaff House Office of the President of Ghana during a courtesy call on President John Mahama in Accra.
“it’s my vision as Ooni Ife to promote unity, peace among African countries.”
Africa must unite to prosper
Emphasizing on the importance of African unity, Ooni of Ife who's a descendent of Oduduwa believed to have been the root of all Yoruba race stressed that unity among African countries and blacks around the world is the key to Africa's prosperity and peace.
He added: "As traditional leaders we are the custodians of culture and tradition, that's why I have taken it upon myself to preach this gospel of peace, and unity. There's strength in unity, and it's time for Africa to go beyond lip service and unite”.

Ooni of Ife, commenting on the bond between the two countries, and the need to do more described Nigeria-Ghana as countries with similarities in culture and tradition.
“Also, we have Nigerian investors here, and Ghanaian businessmen in Nigeria, but Nigeria crave for more investors from Ghana to further boost economic integration between the two countries.

On his part, President John Mahama described himself as very lucky to be the 1st African president outside Nigeria to host the Formost African monarch who is globally known as "king of peace and unity".
Mahama while thanking the Ooni for choosing Ghana as the first African country to benefit his gospel of peace and unity stressed the importance of traditional rulers in governance.
According to him, traditional rulers play a key role in ensuring peace and order in our society.
“Your Majesty, thank you so much for making me so lucky to be the first African leader to host you outside Nigeria as this will remain indelible in our minds of our people being the first African country eat from your pot of peace and unity. Here in Ghana, we partner with traditional rulers because our constitution recognizes traditional rulers, that’s why we have House of Chiefs, and this has really helped the nation keep its cultural heritage”.

President Mahama also spoke on the relationship between the two countries as very brotherly one encouraged positive contribution of Nigerian investors to Ghana economy as there lots of Nigerian investors in Ghana who are thriving in various fields such as Banking, Cement production, Insurance and more “this to a large extent depicts the peaceful co-existence and economic prosperity gains through such collaboration.
"Ghana and Nigeria have enjoyed brotherly relationship which is strategic. We have collaborated together in so many ways of course both of us having been colonized by Great Britain. This has helped us brothers not only on political matters but also on economy which is evident in the presence of Nigerian investors in Ghana's economy especially banking, insurance, media, telecoms, cement productions. I once again thank the Ooni for taking interest in us which I believe will further cement the diplomatic and economic relationship between the two countries.

In her vote of thanks, Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa who was part of the delegation praised president Mahama and the good people of Ghana for recognizing the Ooni's peace and unity vision for Africa and Honouring the Nigerian king with so much befitting reception. She therefore advocated for a deeper bond between two countries.

While presenting gift to President Mahama, Ooni of Ife said the gift to Ghana represent peace, as the country prepares to go to election soon. President Mahama too presented a gift of applications to the Spiritual Head of Oduduwa race in return.

On the entourage of the Arole Oodua include notable Yoruba monarchs and Ife Highchiefs like Aseyin of Iseyin HIM Oba Abduganiyu Adekunle, Jegun of Okitipupa HRM Oba Adetoye Obatuga , Elerinmo of Erinmo-Ijesa HRM Oba Michael Ajayi Odunayo, Akogun of Ife Chief Muraina Adedoyin and Arode of Ife Chief Jimoh Awe. Others are the SSA to President Buhari on Foreign Affairs Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, owner of BetNaija a Nigerian lottery company Ayo Ojuroye and wife Olasimbo, an ace broadcaster Modele Sarafa-Yusuf, SA to Ooni on Special Duties Akin Daodu, Senior Business Executive Jide Fadairo and a host of others

Signed;
Comrade Moss Olafare,
Director of Media and Public Affairs,
Ooni's Palace.

17/10/2015

Prince Adegboyega the Ife Voices Movement President.was pay a condolence visit to the family of late Oba Samuel Folorunsho the Obalufe of ile-ife kingdom. In the behave of Ife Voices Movement. May Almighty God let his soul rest in perfect peace. Sun re ooo baba

15/10/2015

The Ife Voices Movement have confirm and declared that the Oba folorunsho Ominsakin the Obalufe of ile-ife kingdom. Have confirm died. Erin wo ajannaku sun bi o ke. Sun re Ooo baba. May your soul rest in perfect peace Good night baba

14/09/2015

Ife Voices movement. Odua agbe wa ooo

12/09/2015

A TRADITIONAL festival, popularly called
Oro, has been declared in Ile-Ife, the cradle of
the Yoruba race.
The festival coincides with the funeral of the
head of hunters (Balogun) in the ancient town,
although many residents think it may not be
unconnected with controversial demise of the
Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
When The Ife Voices visited the ancient town
yesterday, sporadic gunshots were heard very
close to the Ile Oodua Palace, Enuwa, Ife.
Sources however said the gunshots had
nothing to do with current development in the
town.
Oro festival in Yorubaland is usually held by
traditionalists to appease the gods to ward off
evil and usher in an era of prosperity.
The festival is usually held for seven days,
while it is a taboo for females, young and old,
to go out during the period.
It was gathered that traditionalists would use
the period of the festival to appease the gods
and perform necessary rituals that would
make the town to be more peaceful and at the
same time avert looming danger.
It could not be confirmed yesterday evening in
Ile Ife the reason for holding the festival now
that the situation about Ooni’s health still
remains controversial, but sources said the
festival might not be unconnected with the
recent happening in town.
A source said: “There is a door that remains
permanently closed during the lifetime of a
sitting monarch in Ife and since the door
remains closed, it means that the monarch is
presumed to be alive.
“The closure of markets for business and
ringing of a special bell to announce the death
of an Ooni are two major significant signs to
indicate that the monarch has joined his
ancestors and these are yet to be done.” hn

07/09/2015

Report by Ife Voices
The next Ooni of Ife will, no doubt, emerge according to the
dictates of the Ifa oracle. In Yorubaland, divination gives
priests unreserved access to the teachings of
Orunmila. Though, the respective ruling houses have
indicated interest in occupying the throne as prospective
candidates are not resting on their oars to emerge the next
Ooni.
The kingmakers, have over time, been guided in the process
of selecting the Ooni of Ife in the past. Guided by Ifa, the
king-makers in Ile-Ife are expected not to go against the
dictates of the divinity. The Ifá divination rites provide an
avenue of communication to the spiritual realm and often
times, the king-makers consult Ifa before it makes any
pronouncement on who occupies the Ooni throne.
Failure by the king-makers to consult with Ifa often results
in the untimely death of the occupant of the throne.
Remarkably, Ifá is practised throughout the Americas, West
Africa, and the Canary Islands, Azores, and Madeira, in the
form of a complex religious system, and plays a critical role
in the traditions of Santería, Candomblé, Palo, Umbanda,
Vodoo, and other Afro-American faiths, as well as in some
traditional African religions.
THE exit of Oba Okunade Sijuwade as Ooni of Ife has
created a vacuum which would be filled by a worthy
successor. The late Sijuwade emerged the 50th Ooni of Ife
in December, 1980 and ruled the ancient city of Ile-Ife for 35
years.
Rulinghouses
He died at the St. Mary’s Royal Hospital in Paddington,
London, after a brief illness in July, 2015. There are four
ruling houses where the Ooni of Ife could emerge. They are:
Osinkola, Ogboru, Giesi and Lafogido but the odds seem to
be in favour of the Giesi house. Already, the Giesi Ruling
House, in line with standing rotational arrangement of the
1957 Chieftaincy Declaration after the demise of Oba
Sijuwade, has set in motion plans to present qualified
persons to the king-makers.
Members of the ruling house have met at the family
compound at Agbedegbede Lane in Ile-Ife to receive the
report of its selection screening committee. The committee,
it was gathered, submitted its report to the head of the
family, Prince Modupe Fadehan. But interestingly, the likely
successor will emerge after the king-makers must have
sought the divine guidance of Ifa oracle.
In addition, the Ifa oracle would be consulted on the choice
before the final ratification by the chief priest. Before now,
the king-makers were advised to guard against manipulating
the emergence of the next Ooni of Ife. A chieftain of the
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Bode George, who is
the Atona Oodua of the Source, recently, appealed to them
not to allow politicians use their influence to choose the
next Ooni.
Similarly, former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo threw
his weight behind George.
Selectionprocess
Obasanjo said it was imperative for the king-makers to
choose the rightful, God-fearing person to occupy the
throne even as he called for a hitch-free selection process
that would produce the next Ooni. Some unnamed
politicians are said to be scheming to manipulate the
process for their preferred candidate to emerge as the next
traditional ruler in Ile-Ife.
Ifa worshippers call on govts for recognition
Meanwhile, Ifa worshippers have called on government at
all levels to set aside a day for celebration of the traditional
festival, as it obtains in the Islamic and Christian religions.
This was the crux of the matter at the 2015 Isese Day
Celebration of Isese Parapo and International Council for Ifa
Religion in Egba district, held in Abeokuta, recently with the
theme” The importance of government in Ifa religion.” The
Ifa traditionalists who converged on their praying ground at
Oke-Aregba area of the state capital,stressed the
importantant roles traditional religion plays in the socio-
economic and political development of any nation.
They appealed to government at all levels to give the much-
needed support and legal recognition to traditional religion,
with a view to enhancing harmony, peace and stability in the
country. The Guest Preacher at the occasion and the Erinmi
Ijo Orunmila Adulawo of Egbaland,Chief Ifasola Akanbi, in
his sermon said that traditional religion had been in
existence for long.
Traditionalreligion
He lamented that government had left out traditional
worshippers in its scheme of things, especially in any of its
organised religious activities. Ife Voices also appealed to the
current administration in the state to consider the
declaration of a public holiday, preferably on August 20, for
the annual commemoration of the traditional day, as it is in
Osun State.
He equally appealed to media practitioners, as well as
security agencies in the country, to always do a thorough
investigation whenever they apprehend ritualists who are
tarnishing the good image of the genuine traditionalists for
their selfish ends.

06/09/2015

A reports from Ile Ife, Osun State by IFE VOICES, has it that two hundred traditional priests, allegedly representing the
town’s deities, converged on Ile-Ife late Friday for series of traditional rites on the late Ooni of Ife, Oba
Okunade Sijuwade who is the 201st deity in Ifeland, Sunday Leadership reports
According to sources quoted by the report, shortly after the
inter-religious service held in honour of the departed
monarch on Friday, the Enuwa Square where the event was
held was cordoned off.
It will be recalled that the remains of the monarch were not
present at the inter-religious service held on Friday in his
honour and was not in any way referred to.
Sources in the town quoted by the report said immediately
after the service was concluded, residents were asked to
leave the area for subsequent rites to be performed by
traditionalists.
“Before 4pm when the restriction of moment would start,
people loitering around the palace area were told to leave
and the traditionalists took over the area,” a resident said.
“As at then, the remains of Oba Sijuade were still being
expected in Ile Oodua. But the representatives of the deities
were already on ground. The remains later arrived in the
evening and the rites began.
“Apart from the representatives of the deities, all members
of Isoro cult were also on ground. And it was purely an
affair for those that were really concerned.
“No member of Oba Sijuade’s family was involved in the
rites but after completing the process Saturday morning, an
item under wrap, we are told must be given to the family of
the late monarch,” the source concluded. On the question of the actual burial of the remains of the late
monarch, they said, it only elders of Isoro and King maker can answer
that.” it all about tradition and culture. So any body don't need to interfere to was is not know about ife land or change the culture. Because the tradition of the past still remain present. You can Like Our Page To Recieve More History and Info about IFE and Yoruba land generally. (IFE VOICES ) we are moving Yoruba land forward.

06/09/2015

This is a great movement of IFE VOICES we are taking ife to the high level it now a big time for a new era to make ife growing up and moving on. Forward ever backward never. Ife Agbe Wa Ooo