From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and other eminent personalities including traditional rulers on yesterday stormed Ile-Ife for the 50th birthday of Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The monarch who was in apparent joyful mood, posited that his interaction with the youths revealed to him that the country has not fully tapped into their potentials.
Speaking at the inauguration of the cinema, Ooni who noted that the bigger plan is to build one of the biggest film and talent discovery city in Ile-Ife, explained that reputable institutions of learning including the Ojaja University, Eyenkorin Kwara State, which he owns, will be engaged in cultivating a beneficial town-gown relationship.
He said, “My direct interaction with young Nigerians particularly on our campuses reveals to me that the country has not fully tapped into their potentials. I am glad that our Afrobeat music has become an asset across Africa and beyond but I am confident that we can do more in the global entertainment arena especially by telling our stories through cinema and films.
“Just imagine the number of employment that can be generated from a successful movie presentation, musical display and its like. These are the advantages associated with the entertainment industry, it will equally boost the country’s economy and generate huge foreign exchange,” the monarch added.
Governor Adeleke who led the cake cutting event in honour of the monarch, described him as peace loving monarch, whose passion for development of Nigeria and welfare of youth is unrivalled.
Also, former Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, who commissioned Ojaja cinema inside the Ojaja Arena as part of the birthday activities, described Ooni as a pride of the Yoruba race, saying his pursuit of unity among Oduduwa descendants globally is unprecedented.
“Kabiyesi within a nine years of your ascension to the great Oduduwa throne, has brought glory to the race. Your pursuit of unity among Oduduwa descendants across the world,” Fasola said.
Former Vanguard Managing Director and Provost Gbenga Adefaye and Bisi Olatilo led media gurus to the event, while Chief Tunde Ponle of MicCom Golf led captain of industries to the Ojaja Grand Resort.
Some prominent dignitaries at the event include, Osun State Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, Senator Olubuyi Fadeyi, Hon. Taofeek Ajilesoro, Osun House of Assembly Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, former Speaker, Timothy Owoeye, former Deputy Governor, Osun, Grace Titi-Ponle and Labour Party Governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.
Some traditional rulers present include the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Adesimbo Victor, Elegushi, Oba Saheed Ademola, Oniru of Lagos, Oba Abduiwasiu Omogbolahan, Olowu-Kuta, Oba Abdulhameed Oyelude among many other.