Ooni Ogunwusi to Build Tallest Statue in Africa to Re-Immortalize Moremi

As a mark of honour to immortalize Yoruba heroine, Queen Moremi Ajasoro, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi Ojaja II has embarked on the construction of the tallest statue in Nigeria for her.

Moremi Ajasoro was a brave and pretty queen who in order to solve the problems  facing her people, offered anything she had to give in sacrifice to the spirit of Esimirin river so as to discover the strength of the enemies of Oodua race.

She is a heroine who liberated the people of Oodua land from slavery invasion of faceless terrorists.

The foremost African Monarch stated this on Monday at his Ile-Oodua palace in Ile-Ife during the unveiling ceremony of Moremi Ajasoro Beauty Pageant.
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The unveiling performed by the monarch’s beautiful queen, Olori Wuraola Ogunwus(Yeyelua) is part of the activities marking this year’s EDI/MOREMI festival in the ancient town believed to be the source of
mankind.‎

While extolling virtues of the great African heroine, Ooni Ogunwusi praised God for making one of his greatest dreams come to reality within his one-year on the throne of his forefathers. .

He described the heroine (Moremi) as the real mother of liberty in the world whose legacy must not be left in the oblivion.

“God Almighty has given me the grace of achieving one of my greatest ambitions within my first year on this sacred throne of Oduduwa.

“Moremi Ajasoro, an Ife queen who in her lifetime exhibited an unrivaled heroism of world’s liberty dedicated her life to the liberation of mankind by sacrificing her only child to free the people of Oodua land from the invasion of some faceless terrorists thousands of years ago.

“We are already constructing the tallest statue in Nigeria to be known as MOREMI LIBERTY STATUE. This 42ft-statue which will be the third tallest in Africa is being erected right where Moremi lived before she became a diety thousands of years ago, as a goddess of liberty.

“It is going to be one of the greatest achievements in Nigerian tourism and will be unveiled in two weeks time during this year’s EDI/ MOREMI festival which is just a tip of the iceberg, as many more tourist advancement are coming in the subsequent years.”   Ooni Ogunwusi said.

Speaking while unveiling the Pageant, Her Majesty, Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi(Yeyelua) urged females to emulate the bravery act of Moremi, saying women needed to make themselves available for challenging roles
on the modern society.

She explained that Moremi’s personality remained unique in the World and would continue to remain an important point of reference.

“Moremi is an important figure and a great warrior worthy of emulation. With the pageant, we are trying to globalize and make the world know about a very important person.

T‎imes are changing and women are beginning to realize that we need to grow stronger. We need to show strong character in changing the society. I urge them to emulate the great heroine and be saviours to others.” Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi explained.

On his part, the Project Coordinator for the pageant tagged, “MOREMI AJASORO”, Dr. Balogun Olakunle, said that Moremi was part of the personalities that made Yoruba cultural history outstanding.‎

He commended Ooni Ogunwusi for re-branding the festival, saying that would help to further enrich the yoruba culture.

“This is one great way to celebrate Moremi. It is a way to further proof that she lives on. Forms were distributed to females of Yoruba-origin across Nigeria and we hope that the best would emerge,” Dr Balogun added”.
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It will be recalled that Ooni Ogunwusi was crowned and followed by the presentation of staff of office by the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on the 7th December last year at an epoch making ceremony attended by Vice president Yemi Osibajo, some governors, members of diplomatic society including the representatives
of Queen Elizabeth of England where he dedicated the throne to the youths and cultural tourism revolution.

Ile-Ife has since been witnessing turnarounds especially in the areas of agriculture, youth development, infrastructure and tourism revolution leading to the rejuvenation of some festivals like Olokun, Osara, Oramfe, Olojo etc giving their sacred grooves befitting rehabilitations.