Revered Nigerian Monarch, Ooni of Ife, Gives Life-Saving Scholarship To 17-Year-Old Artist After Pencil-Drawing His Image

TAIWO ADELU

When on 25 May, 2020, seventeen-year-old Samuel Oluwaseun posted on his Twitter handle, @SamleeOluwaseun, the work of art he did on His Imperial Majesty Alayeluwa Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ọ̀ọni Adeyẹ́yẹ̀ Ẹnitan Bàbátunde Ògúnwusi Ọjàjà II, Ooni of Ife, little did he know that the creative pencil drawing of image of the revered Nigerian monarch would be what will turn around his life for good.

It was Thursday, 2 July, 2020 that the monarch himself announced to the world how he passionately loved what Oluwaseun did and to show his appreciation, the Ooni of Ife rolled out some life-saving packages that would see the teenager coming out of his poor life to live with the princes in the palace.

Oba Ogunwusi said: “I got tagged on Twitter a few months back from a young man who made a brilliant pencil drawing of myself, and in my appreciation for his art, I invited him to my palace.

“The 17 year old superlative, who is just about to graduate from secondary school, has been adopted by me, his fees, till his tertiary education, will be taken care of by me, and he will be gainfully employed right here in my palace.

“It was an endless gratitude for me meeting his mother who is a corn seller and who demonstrates an incredible heart of motherhood. She reveres in awe of the Stool of Oduduwa at the sight of me.”

P.M. EXPRESS reports that Oba Ogunwusi, who had held his title of Ooni of the Yoruba Kingdom of Ile-Ife since 2015, has been championing the cause of empowerment of Nigerian youth and unity in the diversity of the Nigerian society before and since he was enthroned.

“It’s clear that if we all work together as a people, irrespective of our special positions or privileged social status, we can deliver access to sustainable socioeconomic opportunity that suit our people.

“I thank God for the position he has put me in. Since my ascension, my Royal Stool is dedicated to ambitious young Nigerian populations who are daily pushing hard through the barriers of economy instability and uncertainties to gain better livelihood and reconstruct the multifarious challenges that are existential to our survival as a nation.

“I look forward to continuing in the mission of discovering beautiful souls and Samuels out there who need help and I will continue to help and support all that I can,” Oba Adewusi said.

Responding to the kind gesture of the Ooni of Ife, Oluwaseun said it was a lifetime opportunity to be invited to the palace and more importantly to be graciously blessed by the king, not only for now, but his future.

He said: “With humility and respect, His Imperial Majesty, I’m so grateful, happy, and glad for the greatest blessings and opportunity you have bestowed on me. I pray God will give you longest life and progressively be with you and your great reign. I and my entire family are so glad today.”

Oba Ogunwusi is described in Wikipedia, as an advocate for the empowerment and emancipation of women and young people. He has transformed the seat of his kingdom, Ile-Ife, into a tourist zone, with changes including the beautification, redesign and re-construction of the ancient city. Oba Ogunwusi is also a renowned philanthropist who is committed to humanity and an advocate for the less privileged. He has granted support over the years through the House of Oduduwa Foundation and, recently, through Hopes Alive Initiative.

He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. He is also an Associate Accounting Technician. Oba Ogunwusi is a certified member of the Institute of Directors. He is also a member of the Global Real Estate Institute. He holds a number of honorary doctorate degrees: one in Public Administration from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and another in Law from Igbinedion University, Edo State. Oba Ogunwusi is the Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.