The Permanent Chairman, Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC) and Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, on Saturday officially launched the Ojaja University Ile-Ife Campus and dedicated it to the service of humanity.
The monarch also marked activities of his 10th Coronation Anniversary on the throne of his forefathers.
Speaking at the event, held at the institution grounds, Oba Ogunwusi, charged, stakeholders in the education sector not to view university establishment as a profit-driven venture, but as a generational legacy for national development and the upliftment of humanity.
“I want to thank everybody because this greatest of my 10th anniversary, the Commissioning and tuning of the sord of Ojaja University Campus, it took a very long route starting from Ilorin Eyekorin, Kwara state and I told the Vice Chancellor, Engineer Hassan started Crown Hill University and brought me on board that
couldn’t continue and I said I have this vision too that some day I will set up Ojaja University.”
The Ooni Pointed out that, legacy remains the most enduring contribution anyone can offer to society.
“There is nothing in this world if you don’t create a legacy for yourself. Wealth and positions can fade, but legacy lasts forever,” he said.
He urged stakeholders in the education sector not to view university establishment as a profit-driven venture, but as a generational legacy for national development and the upliftment of humanity.
“Six years ago rather than for the University to completely collapse I offered to take it upon myself. Exactly five years low and behold we started pushing, it was a very challenging investment, Anyone who sets up a university should turn it into a legacy project.
Sultan came here 10 years ago we had no single structure, exactly today we have over forty to fifty structures on this land and I know very soon this place filled up with structures because we have lots of hectares of land available.
Ooni Ogunwusi used the occasion to appreciate the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, acknowledging his consistent support, wisdom, and positive influence over the years.
Als, the Sultan of Sokoto,
Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, while speaking during the programme, hailed the Ooni for his commitment in helping the young generation.
“Of course, leaving a legacy is the best you can do in your life, so I am not envious of my brother the Ooni but am grateful to Almighty that during our time we have people like him, who are really committed to helping the lives of our people,” the Sultan stated.
“This university has been built by the Ooni for humanity. I am grateful to Almighty Allah that in our time, we have a leader like you that is deeply committed to enhancing the lives of our people,” the Sultan stated.
The monarch further urged Nigerians to pray and support the government and traditional leaders in the country.
“So let’s continue to pray and support ourselves, pray for our country, our President, Bola Tinubu, our Governors, and all leaders in their various offices, and of course most importantly pray for traditional rulers because we are the ones that are with the people and we are the one that knows the pain and cries of the people.”
In his own remark, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Ojaja University,
Prof. Lere Baale has described the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, as a visionary king who is passionate about the education of the young generation.
Prof. Baale said Oba Ogunwusi has become a pioneer among African monarchs in taking institutional ownership of higher education as a tool for generational empowerment.
He said Ooni has become the father of millions of young people across Africa, adding that the monarch believes that the future belongs to those who dare to invest in education.
Prof. Baale noted that without quality education, the huge youth population represents a demographic time bomb.
He said, “In the last decade, Kabiyesi Ooni of Ife has elevated the throne of Oduduwa to an international beacon
Representing Nigeria and Yoruba culture at the UN, global peace forums, and international royal assemblies.
“The population of Africa is approximately 1.4 billion people, with youths under the age of
25 accounting for about 60% of the population. Without quality education, this huge youth population represents a demographic time bomb, but with the right investments, it can
become the continent’s most significant competitive advantage.
“It is for this reason that Kabiyesi Olofin Adimula, Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan-Babatunde Ogunwusi, CFR; Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife, who is the Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka and Ojaja University Eyenkorin Ilorin and Ile Ife, decided to make a massive investment in education through Ojaja University, which cannot be separated from the heart of Kabiyesi.
“Kabiyesi has become a pioneer among African monarchs in taking institutional ownership of higher education as a tool for generational empowerment.”
The Pro-Chancellor further said the university is ready to use AI technology to promote the concept of IFA Divination and compete globally.
“I stand here today on behalf of the Board of Trustees, the Governing Council, the Vice Chancellor, and the entire academic community to remind you that Ojaja University is ready to use AI technology to promote the concept of IFA Divination, which is very
indigenous to Ile-Ife, and the journey to start the award of degrees in IFA Divination and these fields of study will begin immediately with our application to NUC,” he added.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of Ojaja University, Prof. Jeleel Ojuade, said the establishment of the Ile-Ife Campus of the university was an affirmation of Ooni’s creed that knowledge is the most sacred inheritance a leader can gift his people.
According to him, “The Ile-Ife Campus emerges as the cultural and creative nerve centre of Ojaja University, intentionally situated in the ancestral home of the Yoruba civilisation. This campus is envisioned as Africa’s most vibrant hub for Arts, Culture, Languages, Media, and Creative Technologies, hosting:
Faculty of Arts, Cultural Studies and Creative Industries B.Sc Mass Communication
B.Sc Broadcasting
B.Sc Film and Multi-Media Studies
B.Sc Public Relations
B.A Yoruba Language
B.A Music, B.A Theatre Arts.
“Here, culture meets innovation. Heritage meets technology. Creativity meets global relevance. Kabiyesi, through this campus, you have planted an intellectual seed that will grow into a global forest of ideas, talents, and creative excellence. This is how civilisations are built not by monuments alone, but by minds nurtured and liberated.”
The Sultan of Sokoto,
Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, while speaking during the programme, hailed the Ooni for his commitment in helping the young generation.
“Of course, leaving a legacy is the best you can do in your life, so I am not envious of my brother the Ooni but am grateful to Almighty that during our time we have people like him, who are really committed to helping the lives of our people,” the Sultan stated.
The monarch further urged Nigerians to pray and support the government and traditional leaders in the country.
“So let’s continue to pray and support ourselves, pray for our country, our President, Bola Tinubu, our Governors, and all leaders in their various offices, and of course most importantly pray for traditional rulers because we are the ones that are with the people and we are the one that knows the pain and cries of the people.”
The event attracted an impressive array of eminent personalities, including the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi; Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin; Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Kayode Adedeji; Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole; Iyalaje Oodua, Chief Toyin Kolade; Yeye Bobajiro Oodua, Dr. Afolashade Shona-Aluko, among many other dignitaries.
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