On Monday 26th of October, the Osun State Government announced the appointment of a new Ooni of Ife. This comes about three months after the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade II and several controversies surrounding his successor. The newly appointed Ooni, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, was born into the famous Ojaja lineage of the Giesi ruling house in the Agbedegbede Quarters in Ile-Ife. There are four ruling houses in Ile-Ife, which are the Lafogido, Giesi, Ogboru and Oshikola. Late Oba Sijuade who died this year is of Ogboru royal linage.
According to prior custom in Ile-ife, the eldest in the family is to takeover the mantle of leadership of the Ooni of Ife, however as of late the leadership is given to the most influential person in the family. Somewhat surprisingly, the Ooni of Ife is younger than all the ministers in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. Here are five interesting facts about the new Ooni of Ife.
He’s young
Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is the 51st Ooni of Ife. He is 40 year old and he is a real estate magnate.
He has a background in accounting
He is a graduate of accountancy and a certified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Institute of Management. He is also an Associate Accounting Technician and a certified member of the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria. He is also an active member of Global Real Estate Institute (GRI).
He’s made a name for himself in finance
He is a Non-executive Director of Imperial Homes Mortgage Bank Limited (a subsidiary of GTBank). He is a director of FinaTrust Microfinance Bank Limited; He is the Founder and Managing Director of Gran Imperio Group. He is also the Managing Director of Howard Roark Gardens Limited, which is currently responsible for multi-million naira Jacob Mews Estate projects in Yaba, the Lakeview real estate development in Lekki, the ongoing Golden Leaf Estate Lafiaji, Lekki and Grand Lake Estate Ajah, Lagos. He has over 450 direct employees in his companies, and over 3000 indirect employees. Adeyeye currently has over 300 indigenous youth at his Inagbe Cocowood Factory for Essential Homes Furniture brand, which uses 100% indigenous raw materials for production.
He’s also made a name for himself in real estate
He has about 12 years of experience in Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) both within and outside Nigeria. He has been actively involved in the development of over 2,500 housing units with various consortia of developers/promoters over the last 8 years in Nigeria. He led the team that developed the beautiful North pointe Estate Phase I,II,III and Midland Court on Chevron Drive Lekki Lagos. He also led the team that opened up a remote jungle known as Inagbe Grand Resorts and Leisure in Amuwo Odofin LGA of Lagos. The Inagbe Grand Resorts and Leisure is the first of its kind in West Africa.
He has a good track record for collaboration
He has worked with several monarchs to carry out several remarkable real estate projects such as HRM, Oba Saheed Elegushi, Kusenla III, Elegushi of Ikate Land, Lagos on the development of Lake View Park 2 and the Oranmiyan Osile OkeOna of Egba Land, Abeokuta for the development of The Lord’s Estate, Buckswood College Abeokuta.
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