The present, not only the yesterday and the pathway to the tomorrow of people that also define the essence of the people.
It is against this background and in commemoration of the first anniversary of the death of Oba Okunade Adele Sijuwade (the 50th Ooni of Ife),that the President, Senate and Governing council of the Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Dr Ramon Adedoyin will invite distinguished Nigerians from all walks of life to dedicate the building of the college of Environmental Design Management Studies of the institutions to the good memory of the Late monarch comes Saturday July 30,2016 at Agboola Odeyemi Multi- purpose Hall of the University.
The ceremony is designed not only to honor the late Oba, but will also be an icing on the cake to celebrate his life and times as an Icon and to showcase the philanthropic gratitude gesture of Prince Dr Ramon Adegoke Atobatele Adedoyin, the founder of Oduduwa University .While spurring like – minded individuals in the society to tow some line to mark the good deeds of Oba Sijuwade to Ile Ife and the nation at large.
According to the renowned educationist, business mogul, the Maye of the source and notable prince of Ife, Prince Adedoyin described the late monarch as a rare gem, an enigmatic leader, philanthropy echelon per excellence, a lover of young people, who was not just a blessing to Ife people but to the Yoruba race in general and one who had used his influence and resources to bring various development to the South Western part and also to Nigeria as a whole.
“For a building that took more than a year of design and gulped several millions to erect, no one will agree less that it is a master piece and our late baba is worth more than this as a mark of honor and remembrance of his name. This building will now be known as Oba Okunade Sijuwade College of Environmental Design and Management Studies,” he said.
The late Oba Sijuwade was the chancellor of Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Ile- Ife and the choice of the dedication is not only apt. It truly and explicitly chronicled his contribution to the founding of Oduduwa University and also as a man of substance in the minds of his people.
In an exclusive interview, Prince Adedoyin reiterated that baba was more than a loyal and supportive pillar.
“I had the opportunity to be very close to him. He was instrumental to many of my successes”.
He described him as a great pillar of support for Oduduwa, hence the great need for him to be so remembered and immortalized.
Describing his closeness to the late royal father, Prince Adedoyin said that anytime Oduduwa University encounter any challenge, Oba Sijuwade was always feeling very concerned.
“He loved Ile – Ife so much, he did not want anybody to joke with the name ODUDUWA. Nobody can miss baba like me as he fondly called me my dearest son”. He added.
Aside being strongly connected with the late Sijuwade family, Prince Adedoyin also shared the same birthday with the late monarch.
Many dignitaries and personalities from different walks of life are expected to grace the occasion for the dedication and remembrance ceremony which is expected to hold at Agboola Odeyemi Multi – purpose Hall, Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu.
The life and times of late Oba Okunade Sijuwade has shown that he was a leader of his people, including the Southwest civic and traditional community of Osun State and the Nigerian nation at large.
It is no wonder that the traditional rulers dead or alive carry traditional, historical and social significance amongst their people, which this event signifies connotes.
