*Ooni of Ife (middle) with the leadership of WIMIN
By Shakirudeen Bankole, Lagos
The Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Enitan, Ojaja II, has emerged as the Grand Patron of the Women In Mining Nigeria (WIMIN).
Ooni Adeyeye was conferred with the honour during the ongoing Gold and Gemstones Conference and Exhibition held at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos.
Engr. (Dr.) Janet Adeyemi, the National President of WIMIN, said the decision to appoint the Ooni came after careful consideration of the monarch’s impressive profile as both a top-flight traditional ruler and a successful business magnate of international repute.
“After years of searching and begging for that unblemished national figure, that caring Father that would hold our hands, listen to our cries, and help us navigate the complex nature of this terrain, our prayer has finally been answered.
“Today, with every sense of pride and appreciation, I am honoured to publicly announce our King, our Father, our supporter, and our Go-to Person, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ogunwusi Enitan, Ojaja II, as our Grand Patron,” Dr. (Mrs.) Adeyemi announced, kneeling on stage together with her team as a mark of honour for the royalty.
The announcement elicited a roaring applause, as the excited congregation burst into jubilation, singing the praises of the monarch.
“Baba o Baba o Baba o, Oluwa da Baba si fun wa… Ani Baba kan, Baba’ra to moyi Omo…” the Women In Mining group sang, table by table, representing different state delegations from across the country.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Adeyeye said he was highly honoured to have been found worthy of the position and would do everything within his power to make it count.
“As your Grand Patron, I will be a great asset to you,” he began, eliciting uncontrollable excitement from the audience.
“And any door that is locked, I will help you open the door. And the doors that they have said are permanently locked, I will help you pull the door.”
Continuing his pledge and assurances of support, the monarch promised to help amplify the efforts of the Nigeria Women In Mining by throwing his weight and resources behind their empowerment initiatives.
“Any road that is blocked, that has barricades and does not want the Women In Mining to move, I will break and remove the obstacle,” he promised.
