The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who is currently
visiting the US with his Olori, Wuraola Otiti, and an 80-man entourage, have
succeeded in stamping the rich culture of Africa on the minds of not only
Africans but a large population of whites.
The monarch, who arrived in the US, last Friday was a
special guest at the prestigious Odunde festival. The festival, which promotes
the culture of the Yoruba race, was created in 1975 by Lois Fernandez and Ruth
Arthur, and attracts about 500,000 people annually.
At the 41st Odunde festival on Sunday, the monarch blessed Olokun on the Philadelphia Bridge. The festival is the largest African American street festivals held in the country. The festival, whose concept originates from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, West Africa, celebrates the coming of another year for African Americans and Africanized people around the world. It is an occasion highlighted by a colorful procession from 23rd and South Streets to the Schuylkill River where an offering of fruit and flowers is made to Osun, the Yoruba goddess of the river. It is also known for its authentic African marketplace featuring vendors from around the world selling merchandise from many African nations, the Caribbean and Brazil.
At the 41st Odunde festival on Sunday, the monarch blessed Olokun on the Philadelphia Bridge. The festival is the largest African American street festivals held in the country. The festival, whose concept originates from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, West Africa, celebrates the coming of another year for African Americans and Africanized people around the world. It is an occasion highlighted by a colorful procession from 23rd and South Streets to the Schuylkill River where an offering of fruit and flowers is made to Osun, the Yoruba goddess of the river. It is also known for its authentic African marketplace featuring vendors from around the world selling merchandise from many African nations, the Caribbean and Brazil.
On the same day, the Museum of the Contemporary African
Diaspora Arts received the monarch at a private reception as well as a public
forum session.
Moreover, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan
Ogunwusi(Ojaja II) was presented with the of the City of Summerset, Franklin
Township NJ America and honoured with the proclamation of the town of Franklin alongside
his wife Ollie Aurelia Ogunwusi(Yeyeluwa) and Dr Akin Awofolaju a prominent Ife
indigene with an age-long development partnership with the town.
The presentation of the key and proclamation was performed by the Honourable Mayor Mr. Philip Kramer witnessed by other member of Council like Hon. Theodore Chase Jr. Deputy Mayor, Hon. Shamnel Y. Robinson, Kimberley A. Francois, Rozalyn Sheman and Charle Onyejiaka who have the welcome speech on behalf of the sitting Mayor.
The presentation of the key and proclamation was performed by the Honourable Mayor Mr. Philip Kramer witnessed by other member of Council like Hon. Theodore Chase Jr. Deputy Mayor, Hon. Shamnel Y. Robinson, Kimberley A. Francois, Rozalyn Sheman and Charle Onyejiaka who have the welcome speech on behalf of the sitting Mayor.
Mayor Kramer described Ooni Ogunwusi an African monarch specifically enthroned to bless the mankind clearly manifesting through his developmental mission which he been taking around the world in the last six months and pledged to partner with Ife Kingdom for necessary development.
While thanking the Mayor, the Council and the entire indigenous of the town for the honour bestowed on him and his wife, Ogunwusi promised to continue the good work as he has already identified an area of possible business partnership between Ife and Summerset.
One of the impressive outings of the monarch and moments of honour
was his recognition by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New
Jersey for outstanding achievements and devoted service to the people of
Nigeria and West Africa.
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