Her Majesty the Queen of England Elizabeth Alexandra; President Muhammadu Buhari his vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo ( SAN) and governors from at least 27 states; ministers and other dignitaries are expected to attend the coronation of the new Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II.
The over one-week event will climax next Monday with the presentation of staff of office by Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
Addressing a pre-coronation briefing at the palace yesterday, the monarch’s elder brother, Prince Adegboyega, said invites have been sent to 27 governors, members of the National Assembly and other dignitaries.
He said: “There will be a coronation carnival round the town today. Tomorrow, there will be artistes’ coronation day. On Thursday, there will be traditional worshippers’ day. A Jumat service will hold on Friday. Also on that day, there will be a youth carnival and fashion parade.
“A football match between Ajiroba FC and Shooting Stars of Ibadan is scheduled for Saturday. On Sunday, there will be an interdenominational service at Enuwa Square and inauguration of Ife Resorts.
“The grand finale is on Monday with the presentation of staff of office. The programme will be rounded off on December 13 with a thanksgiving service at St. Saviour Anglican Church, Ayegbaju, Ile-Ife.”
The Chairman, Publicity Committee, Biyi Odunlade, said December 7 has been declared a public holiday to allow residents participate in the programme.
According to Odunlade, the event will be historic.
Odunlade, however, explained that the queen would be represented at the ceremony but stated guests from many nations of the world were also expected to be part of the ceremony.
The Ooni also said he was ready to fast track the development of Ile Ife with series of policies he enumerated and to make an average Yorubaman pound anywhere they found themselves.
The monarch, who was represented at the press conference by his elder brother, Prince Adegboyega Ogunwusi, said he would do everything possible to address the problem of youth unemployment in the town.
Ogunwusi, who donated 50 transformers to some communities in Ile Ife during the contest for the Ooni stool said he would donated additional 50 transformers within the next 30 days to boost electricity supply in the town.
He said this donation would make small scale businesses in the town to thrive because power problem would have been reduced drastically with the largesse.
He said, ” Let me acquaint you with what his imperial majesty has been doing in less than 70 days, over 20 electricity transformer worth about N250 million were given.