The Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and the Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has celebrated the remarkable legacy of the Founder and Executive Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources Limited, Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammadu Indimi, describing him as an exceptional philanthropist whose impact transcends wealth, business and geographical boundaries.
The Ooni also unveiled plans to establish the Indimi School of Business, an institution he said would preserve and promote the business philosophy, entrepreneurial journey and philanthropic legacy of the renowned businessman.
In a statement issued by the Senior Media Officer, Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal, on behalf of the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare, the Ooni who is also the Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) disclosed this on Tuesday when he received Alhaji Indimi and his delegation at Ooni’s Palace.
While celebrating Indimi’s life and contributions to humanity, the Ooni described him as a man with an extraordinary heart for humanity, education and philanthropy.
According to the Ooni, Indimi’s greatest legacy is not the wealth he has accumulated but the lives he has transformed through his generosity, humanitarian interventions and commitment to education.
“Your heart is a heart of gold. You are one of the greatest philanthropists in the world. Your success is not known by your money and wealth; what you are known for is your impact on humanity.
“You are such a unique human being who is ready to dedicate his life to education and philanthropy. You have given so much to the entire human race. You have impacted many lives, and you are truly worthy of celebration,” the Ooni said.
Ooni Ogunwusi further disclosed that he is working towards establishing a business school in honour of Indimi, adding that plans are also underway to honour the renowned businessman with an honorary doctorate degree from Ojaja University.
“We will give you a doctorate degree from Ojaja University when the time is right. We also plan to establish the Indimi School of Business so that we can document and teach your history, how you started and the journey you have undertaken, so that people from around the world can come and learn from your experiences.
“We are still working on it. We will also explore collaboration and alignment with our sister universities, including Kashim Ibrahim University, Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka,” he added.
The Ooni said the proposed institution would serve as a platform for promoting entrepreneurship, leadership, business development and philanthropy, while ensuring that the story of Indimi’s rise from humble beginnings to becoming one of Nigeria’s prominent entrepreneurs is preserved for future generations.
He also announced plans to establish a Hall of Fame in honour of the business mogul, where significant milestones and contributions from his childhood to the present day would be documented.
“We will set up a Hall of Fame for you. We will document everything from your childhood all the way to where you are today. You have done so much good, and your story deserves to be preserved for generations to come.
“Tomorrow is your birthday. I celebrate you and wish you a very happy birthday,” the Ooni said.
Earlier in his remarks, Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi commended the Ooni for the warm reception accorded him and his delegation, as well as the Ooni’s efforts to promote and preserve Yoruba culture and heritage.
Indimi expressed admiration for the cultural displays he witnessed at the Palace, describing the experience as significant and memorable.
The business mogul also expressed his desire to strengthen the relationship between the Palace of the Ooni of Ife and the traditional institution in Borno, stressing the importance of greater cultural unity and collaboration among Nigeria’s traditional institutions.
He said he looked forward to visiting Ile-Ife alongside the Shehu of Borno, noting that such an engagement would provide an opportunity to deepen the relationship between the two traditional institutions.