The Royal Awards & Leadership Summit is an event hosted by Royal African Young Leadership Forum in conjunction with the Ooni of Ife Global Outreach. The aim of the event is to award young and vibrant successful youths who have made it so that it can have impact in their respective fields/industries.
It took place on the 17th of January, 2020 at Oduduwa hall OAU campus.
The event was scheduled to begin by 11am, however, due to logistical hitches it kicked off by 12:04pm. The Public Relations Officer of OAU, Mr Abiodun Olarewaju and Mr Yinka were the Masters of Ceremony. They acknowledged how all activities on campus were on hold, due to the program, to honour the youths in Ife.
The Traditional Chiefs and advisers to the King graced the ceremony with their presence in their glamorous white attires and beads embodiments. Many dignitaries like MC Lively, Woli Arole, Seyi Awolowo, Seun Fakorede, Daniel Otabor, Fola David, Yomi Casual, Habeeb Whyte, Seyi Olofinjana, Princess Adeniyi and many others were present as well.
The ceremony proceeded with the appearance from MC Lively, Kays as they were acknowledged being. OAUpeeps News Agency and many reporters from different broadcasting stations including of Channels TV and AIT were present to cover the event.
The Ooni of Ife; his imperial majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) graced the hall with his presence by 12:44, in the most majestic cultural Yoruba beauty. He joined the high table with the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Nigeria, Minister for Youth and Sports, and the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University.
The national anthem, the anthem of United Arab Emirates and Ile-Ife anthem was exquisitely performed by Team Definition, in the fantastic way possible. Their performance was followed by the school anthem
Baba Aremu opened the ceremony with the prayers, then Tomisin Olawale did the welcome speech on behalf of the Majesty, he also apologized to the Majesty for starting the program late.
However, 100 youths were enlisted for awards. Eyitope Kola Oyeneyin was given the first award by the Former Minister for Youth and Sport. Awards were granted to HRH Prince God's Will Edward, Sowemimo Abiodun, Ogundele sijibomi, Mr Akinola, Miss Adora, Relieve Team, Mr Ajebo, Mr Nelson, Shola Animasaun, Yomi Casual, Woli Arole, Abdul Lateef, Victor Ogbara, Pastor Usen J, Pastor Lazarus, Olumide Owo, Olufemi Emmanuel, Wole Sax, Pamilerin, Akorede, Peter Osas, Lukman Sobo, Kenny Blaq, MD /CEO Sujimoto, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin; speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Barrister Chima, Mr Bello Bala Shagari; the Grandson of the former president, Hon Seun Fakorede, Dr. Gbadamosi Adefemi.
An Artist who painted on stage, was awarded. He painted on a double board, he painted the Ooni of Ife on one side and the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Nigeria on the other side.
Jerry Mallo, the guy that made a sport Ferrari model car from the scratch also awarded after showing his inventions.
All awards were presented by the Former Minister for Youth and Sport, Vice Chancellor and the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Nigeria.
During the event, the winner of Queen Moremi was awarded a Car and sum of 1 million naira. The first runner up got a sum of N750,000 and the second runner up got a sum of N500,000.
The event was indeed a gracious on as it came to an end at 4:02 after some of the awardees made short speeches to thank to the Ooni of Ife.
Photo Credit : EMI ALLEN PHOTOGRAPHY
