Ooni of Ife Celebrates Palace Staff with Awards and Gifts

Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ọjájá II) CFR, with his usual benevolent spirit has rewarded members of staff in his palace at the Ooni’s Palace Appreciation Day and Award Night 2024 held at the palace grounds in the ancient city of Ile Ife, Osun State, southwest Nigeria, on Friday, December 13.

The special ceremony to celebrate palace staff and others working for the king has been an annual event since 2022.

Powered by the Hopesalive Africa Initiative (HAI), this year’s event was extraordinary and captivating with the support of corporate partners who identified with the noble and benevolent of Oba Enitan-Ogunwusi to change the narrative of his subjects from poverty to wealth.

Recognition awards in various categories were presented to some outstanding employees by the Ooni of Ife, with corporate sponsors not far behind in the King’s grand gesture to reward excellence.

The star prize of the evening which was personally presented by the Ooni himself was two new cars and the sum of N1.5 million each to Opeyemi Ibrahim and Femi Awe, while Lateef Abdulahi, who was adjudged the second best staff of the year, won the sum of 750,000 naira and an electric motorbike.

The forty-seven winners of the best staff award received a surprise sum of three million naira along with bags of rice from the king, while the heads of departments also received the sum of three million naira. The Ooni of Ife rewarded four chiefs with the sum of N500,000 each and gift items.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan-Ogunwusi, called for a standing ovation to celebrate Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi whom he described as the torch that lit his steps to impact humanity.

The monarch expressed his joy at seeing people around him succeed in life, adding that his palace had been a place where wealth was created and impacted people.

Her Regal Majesty, Queen Mother of Africa of AFRIDU 6th Region, Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, who is the chief organizer of the event, while paying royal tribute to the Ooni of Ife, said that Oba Enitan-Ogunwusi was known for his selfless, humble and charitable spirit which has been given her the opportunity to serve the less privileged in society.

The Queen, who is the Deputy Convener of the Hopesalive Initiative for Africa, described the staff around the King as tireless and dedicated, adding that they are the unsung heroes behind the King’s success.

“I express my sincere gratitude and admiration for you. Your unwavering commitment to ensuring the smooth running of the daily operations of our great King is truly remarkable.

“Each of you plays a vital role in maintaining the dignity, harmony and excellence of this royal house. From flight attendants to concierges, from security personnel to valets, your genuine efforts do not go unnoticed.

“Your dedication to duty not only upholds the traditions of our great kingdom, but also reflects the values ​​of loyalty, respect and excellence that this palace symbolizes. You are the unsung heroes behind the success and effectiveness of our beloved King’s reign.

“Tonight, as we honor and celebrate those of you who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication and exemplary service, we congratulate you for excelling in your respective roles. For the heads of every department, your leadership has been a guiding force, inspiring your teams to strive for efficiency and unity. Your unwavering support has fostered an environment where excellence thrives.

“This honor bestowed upon you this evening is not only a recognition of your past efforts, but a call to greater service. It is a symbol of our confidence in your abilities and an encouragement to persevere and motivated in all your responsibilities can this moment inspire you and your team to aim even higher and move forward. to contribute to the legacy of this holy palace.

“May your devotion shine brightly and may you all be blessed in your service to the throne, thank you for making every day in this sacred palace an embodiment of royal splendor and unity,” said Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi.

Chidi Amos, the Chief Coordinator of HAI, described the annual event as an initiative to elevate excellence to reward the dedication and patriotic services rendered to the throne by palace staff.