2022 Edi Festival: Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi Wants More Women In Leadership Roles

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi , Ojaja II, has  called for increased  women  participation in governance adding that more  women  should be allowed to take up leadership positions at all levels.

Ooni Ogunwusi’s Spokesman, Mr Moses Olafare noted in a statement made available to  Team@orientactualmags.com  that the Ife monarch, who is the  Co-chairman of  the  National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN),  said this on Monday during the celebration of  the 2022 Edi Festival  at  the Ile- Oodua Palace ,  Ile-Ife

EDI Festival is an annual ritual in Ile-Ife done in acknowledgment of the heroic life and sacrifice of Moremi Ajasoro, an Ife woman, who helped to secure the land from foreign invaders in the early days.

Giving his speech,  Ooni Ogunwusi explained that the prestigious culture of the Oduduwa race dignifies the female gender like their male counterparts, adding that these virtues must be upheld and practiced daily in our society.

“We all are witnesses to the outstanding performance of some Ministers, Commissioners, head of companies and even countries across the globe, our women here in this part of the world are as capable as their counterparts anywhere globally. The difference is the opportunities that we create for them to perform optimally’ he  said.

Speaking in her capacity as  Global Ambassador of ‘Queen Moremi Ajasoro Initiative’ , an Ooni’s queen, Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi , who  was flanked by the top traditional ruler , added that the festival equally signals the start of activities for the annual Queen Moremi Ajansoro contest by young talented ladies.

She used the occasion to announce the official opening of the portal for application for the 2022 edition of Moremi Ajasoro Cultural and Leadership Pageant, the winner of which will be crowned as Queen Moremi Ajasoro (QMA) 2022.

 The winner will  go home with  1million Naira, a branded car and other prizes.

‘Like the whole world is aware of, we are not just doing beauty contest. We are doing contest of creative ideas, leadership abilities and productivity. We call on interested young ladies to apply via designated online platforms’ she said.

The statement quoted the outgoing QMA, Oluwabukunmi Grace Akinwale to have noted that carrying  ‘Moremi torch of liberty’ is very symbolic as the torch was said to be the weapon that Moremi Ajasoro used to conquer the Ugbo people that had  threatened the peace of the ancient people in Ife several centuries ago. 

Highlights of this year’s  EDI Festival  include   the 500- meter procession to the Moremi Statue of Liberty with the Ooni , members of  the Ife Traditional Council and  others carrying the torch of liberty known as INA’SAN –  Team@orientactualmags.com
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