Gen.Olu Bajowa, wife Regent Oluyemi Bajowa visit Ife on a special ‘thank you mission’ to Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
– Steve Ovirih.
The Jagunmolu of Ikaleland and Ojagbulegun from the source, Prince Dr. Gen. Olu Bajowa, OFR, has paid a special visit to the palace of ‘ Arole Oodua’, The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja the second.
Gen. Olu Bajowa who arrived the threshold of the milestone age of eighty , December last year and celebrated it with pump and fanfare had invited distinguished and prominent Nigerians to the event among whom were the Ooni of Ife who honored the occasion with his physical presence alongside a high powered delegation from Ile Ife. It will be recalled that Ooni Ogunwusi and Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu among other guests were specially conducted round the Awawa FM Radio House , Ayeka which was commissioned to mark the 80th birthday of Gen. Olu Bajowa, Chairman of the Radio Station.
In his bid to specially appreciate the first class Royal Father for creating time to attend Gen. Bajowa’s 80th birthday celebration, the retired Army General led his wife, the Regent of Ayeka, HRH. princess. Barr. Oluyemi Bajowa and other prominent Chiefs to thank Ooni Ogunwusi.
On their arrival at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, a rousing welcome was accorded them by the white cap chiefs , a gesture which signifies their dignified presence to the House of Oduduwa.
The august visitors from Ikaleland were conducted round the rich museum of Ooni’s palace by a curator who narrated to Gen. Bajowa and his entourage the historically in-depth antecedent of Ile Ife and the list of personages who had climbed the revered stool of Ooni.
At exactly 10. Am, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi in his characteristic majestic candour played host to Gen. Olu Bajowa and his entourage.
Gen. Bajowa in his speech said Ooni Ogunwusi made his day by honoring his 80th birthday invitation, stressing that regardless of the busy palace schedule, he did not just attend the inauguration of his Radio Station, Awawa 94.1 FM, Ode Ayeka, but also attended the church programme and his birthday reception which held in his country home, Igbotako. Gen. Bajowa noted that Ooni Ogunwusi has earned his respect and not only him but all well meaning Nigerians are impressed by the finesse he has brought to the throne of Oodua, a Paramount and significant stool among the African race.
In his response, the Ooni of Ife, Arole Oodua, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan, smiling with noble appeal, thanked profusely Gen. Olu Bajowa for the visit. He said the Jagunmolu of Ikaleland is an “Omo Yoruba atata” ( a quintessential well bred Yoruba) and a pride of the Yoruba race who spent the better part of his years defending the indivisibility of Nigeria.
Ooni Ogunwusi noted that when dignitaries like Gen. Bajowa sends an invite to come and celebrate them , to him it is a worthy cause and he finds pleasure in celebrating worthy causes which personages like Gen. Bajowa signifies.
The Ooni of Ife specifically appreciate Gen. Bajowa’s wife, the Regent of Ayeka, HRH. Barr. Oluyemi Bajowa for taking good care of Gen.Bajowa . ” The Regent of Ayeka, I want to thank you specially for taking a good care of our General. I can see he is glowing and looking very fit and cute even at eighty. It shows you have been really taking care of him. We are grateful and God will continue to keep the two of you.
” Gen. Bajowa is a great Nigerian and a hero of the Nigerian project . No doubt , he is a household name in Nigeria and we pray for more years for him in good health,” Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi enthused .
The Regent of Ayeka, HRH Oluyemi Bajowa presented mementoes of Gen. Olu Bajowa’s 80th birthday celebration and that of the inauguration of Awawa 94.1 FM Ayeka to Ooni of Ife.
While giving his remark, the Liha of Ayeka, Prince Babatunde Ayeyowa appreciated Ooni of Ife for the quality time and audience accorded them and thanked him for his Royal visit to Ikaleland during Gen. Bajowa’s birthday in December, 2020. He said Ile Ife is the source of the Yoruba people and their visit to Ooni’s palace is a heart warming home coming for them.
Reacting, Ooni Ogunwusi said the history of Yoruba race is not complete without Ile Ife and no Yoruba kingdom is complete without historically tracing their root to Ife Ooye. ” Benin is to the extreme left of Ile Ife while Oyo Alaafin is to the extreme right of Ile Ife. Ife sits in the middle as the source and her historical relevance cannot be downplayed no matter how much anybody tries,” Ooni Ogunwusi said.
The Arole Oodua offered special prayer of the Household of Oodua for Gen. Bajowa and his wife , charging the ancestry of Yorubaland to bless Gen. Bajowa with many more years in good health , prosperity and happiness.
On the entourage of Gen. Olu Bajowa were Regent Oluyemi Bajowa, the Regent of Ayeka Kingdom, Prince Babatunde Ayeyowa, the Liha of Ayeka Prince, Prince Barr. Adeolu Ayelomi, the Petu of Ayeka, Prince Bode Bajowa, the Osuma of Osooro Kingdom, Mr Adewale Omotayo Idowu and others.
