Ooni of Ife on ‘Not in My Country’

I asked him why he’s been going about holding meetings with various kings. He said: “What’s the point holding grudges based on superiority complex when I can build bridges to foster regional and national harmony aimed at stimulating development.”

“I deally, we’re all children of the same parents from the time of creation. Even God that created us all is humble… so what’s the point in the pride of races?” he added

He went to a very long extent to tell us about culture and history and how Ile Ife (meaning land of expansion, not “House of Ife”) must develop under him through tourism and agriculture. He spoke about empowering IFE youths through mentoring and engaging leadership.

Already, 500 youths followed him from Lagos to Ife the moment he became King. He said he has an agenda to employ 200,000 Nigerian youths who will make good money from agricultural entrepreneurship through attractive stimulus that will make them find blue-collar jobs less attractive. He said “I love youths, I just love the youths”.

Then we went to why I went to see him. He asked me “WHAT IS THIS NOT IN MY COUNTRY ABOUT”? I told him “To trigger a behavioral change revolution amongst the people and encourage them to shun the little little lies they tell and little little selfish acts they indulge in that leads to corruption”.

I told him he needed to get onboard relay our message to his people and deep to the grassroots to embrace social values that I engender mutual respect. I told him we shall be on TV soon through select family-value programs.

He said: “Wow! I am sold on this and quote me: “I AM GOING TO GIVE YOU EVERY SUPPORT! This is what I keep saying. Let us all stimulate our brains to bring about creative ideas that can move the nation forward”.

He added, “Akin, you don’t even know the meaning and magnitude of what you’ve started. The vision is great and you shall soon see what it means to be a CHANGE AGENT. You have spoken the truth to our souls and I am pleasantly surprised”.

The meeting went deep into the night as Kemi Fadojutimi, Presenter of ALL EYES ON AFRICA in the US (who set up the meeting) and I engaged the Kabiyesi from 7pm to 1am this past Sunday! The man, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, is simply energetic and mentally resourceful!

As part of our stakeholder-engagements, I’d earlier gone into Obafemi Awolowo University on the the platform of ALL CAMPUS SHOW coordinated by my ever resourceful colleague, Ojo Busuyi to speak with the Student Union President and officials. I told them if they steal Union fees, they’re corrupt and won’t be laying good example within the academic community. The President told me OAU Authorities collect Union fees from all students totaling around #9million but never remit it to the Students Union body. The VC would hear from NOT IN MY COUNTRY very soon! We shall work with the Ooni to engage with the authorities even as we shall ensure that the SUG also remain accountable to the students and the school authority as a parent body.

Fadeyi is the creator and producer if Not In My Country, a citizen-led anti-corruption campaign project.