As the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, marked his 50th birthday in a lavish celebration, political officeholders and traditional rulers gathered in Ile-Ife to honor His Imperial Majesty. Among the notable attendees, former Lagos State Governor and Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, commissioned the Ojaja Cinema at the Ojaja Arena, while Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke led the cake-cutting ceremony.
Media icons such as former Vanguard Managing Director Gbenga Adefaye and Bisi Olatilo, alongside Chief Tunde Pinke of MicCom Golf, also graced the event.
Speaking at the palace, Fashola praised the Ooni as a symbol of pride for the Yoruba race, highlighting his commitment to uniting Oduduwa descendants globally. “Kabiyesi, your nine years on the Oduduwa throne have brought glory to the Yoruba people. We are proud of you and appreciate your dedication to preserving our cultural heritage.”
Governor Ademola Adeleke, in his remarks, commended the Ooni for his passion for peace and youth development, calling him a monarch whose contributions to Nigeria’s progress are unmatched.
At the cinema’s inauguration, the Ooni revealed his broader vision of building one of the largest film and talent discovery cities in Ile-Ife, in partnership with institutions like Ojaja University in Kwara State, fostering a productive town-gown relationship.