October 1st, 2023, was a remarkable day for Ife sons and daughters as His Imperial Majesty and custodian of the culture of the entire Yoruba race honoured some of the prominent Ife sons and daughters at home and in Diaspora with the Community Service Award to commemorate the annual Olojo Festival.
Among the awardees were Dr. Gbenga Olowo, the immediate past President of Aviation Round Table (ART) who was honoured with the Community Service Award for his contribution towards the elevation of the community.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the ceremony, the Ooni of Ife appealed to the sons and daughters of Ile-Ife in the diaspora to return to the community to foster development in the area.
He regretted that some of the indigenes of the community preferred to develop other cities while neglecting Ile-Ife but reiterated that the palace was willing and ready to work with everyone in order to develop the area.
He specifically said that the palace belonged to everyone and urged them to return home for its development.
Speaking on the award, Ooni said it was to celebrate the valuable contributions made by individuals and corporate organisations to the general advancement of Ile-Ife as a community.
He explained that the Ooni of Ife Community Service Awards is an extraordinary way to appreciate, commend and recognise the amazing contributions of individuals and organisations from across its borough.
Speaking on the award presented to Dr Gabriel Olowo, the Ooni described the Sabre Tech Chairman as one of the eminent sons of Ile-Ife who believed in quality service delivery with class to the community.
He recalled that Olowo was the first Ife indigene to host him in his Golf View Hotel in GRA, Ikeja, Lagos a few months after his installation as the Ooni of Ife.
He said: “Dr Olowo does things with a touch of excellence, class and details. He has moved the community up through his activities and he performs excellently well in the aviation industry.
“Elder Dr. Olowo was the first person to host me when I assumed the throne as Ooni of Ife. I slept in his hotel with peace of mind.
“Whenever I get across to him, he answers me immediately and attends to my needs with all the seriousness it deserves. He is an Elder in the church, but he doesn’t joke with anything that concerns Ile-Ife. He is humble despite being a wealthy personality. We need to celebrate people like him for their contributions to the community and the society, ” Ooni Ogunwusi said.
In his response to the award, the chairman of American Aviation Technology Company, Sabre West Africa and Central Africa Republic, Dr Gbenga Olowo, commended His Imperial Majesty Ooni for recognising his “little contributions” to the elevation of Ile-Ife.
The Chairman Golfview Hotel and Conference Center expressed his utmost gratitude to the entire Ife dynasty, that the recognition would trigger him to do more for the community, just as he appealed to others to join hands with the His Imperial Majesty to move Ile Ife forward.
The Chairman Interguide Group commended Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, for his unique innovations since he became king and promised to always work with the traditional institutions to move the Ile Ife forward.
He said: “I feel very honoured and delighted that the little investment that we are putting on the ground at Ile-Ife is recognised so quickly by the Imperial Majesty himself. Despite the age of the city, which is rich in culture, people are looking for cultural heritage all over the world. What is exciting most is that when we develop cultural tourism, it is not only tourism that will evolve, but other things too will grow.
“I am also working closely with His Imperial Majesty to establish a standard golf course in Ife and launch a tournament that will be named after our amiable dear King. it will drive a lot of traffic and boost maximum tourism within and across the continent and outside Africa. As of now, an airline is already flying into Ibadan and all the value chains in Ibadan and Ife will benefit; the hotels, restaurants, bars, lounges and the life of the people will record a boost as people will be given job employments.
“I want to appeal to all sons and daughters of Ife to pull hands together and come around this amazing vibrant, innovative royal father. It’s pretty clear His imperial Majesty has a lot of foresight and beautiful plans for the kingdom and entire Yoruba dynasty across the world for not only growth but for future developmental growth.”
While speaking, the Director General of Ife Business School, Prince (Dr.) Makinwa Adereti commended His Imperial Majesty for this laudable initiative and also the choice of people he has chosen specially to award, I can testify categorically that Dr Gbenga Olowo is an amazing classic personality with a great beautiful track record in the professional sphere. He is a committed man to the development, upgrade and growth of society. It is a well-deserved award and I commend him once again, especially for his humility.
One of his corporate communications aides, Olatutu Oladunni who is also the Public Relations Officer (PRO) Diplomatic Protocol Professional in Nigeria expressed the utmost joy as His Imperial Majesty presented the award to the awardees himself.
Oladunni who is also the Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Lagos chapter said it is important to appreciate your people being a king as this will enable our dear father to get more support from his people and they will work with him. to realise his vision for Ile Ife and the entire Yoruba race.
The awards were divided into three categories: Outstanding Leaders, Achievers and Community Service.
No fewer than eight individuals and organisations were honoured by the Ooni, while the Osun State Government, Mr. Ademola Adeleke was represented by his beautiful Chief Mrs. Titi Adeleke, the First Lady of Osun State.
Also present were Chief Alex Duduyemi, Yeye Oodua and Erelu Kuti of Lagos, Abiola Dosunmu Fernandez, delegations from the United Nations, UNESCO, South Africa, and Brazil, royal fathers and numerous other illustrious sons and daughters of Ile-Ife.
Other awardees at the ceremony were Prince Yera Adeyemo, Late Chief Orayemi Orafidiya, Chief Buraimo Adewopo, Chief John Agboola Odeyemi, Mrs. Ladun Lawal, Chief Anthony Olufidipe and Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (Orisun FM).
