Royal recognition: Funke Adesiyan bags Ooni of Ife's excellence award

It was jubilation galore for the delectable Ibadan-born Nollywood actress, Funke Adesiyan, as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, singled her out with many other young Nigerian entrepreneurs to be recognised at the Royal African Young Leadership Forum.

The event which held recently at the prestigious Oduduwa hall of the great Obafemi Awolowo University, witnessed the presence of prominent personalities like the United Arab Emirate Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Fahad Al-Taffaq and the Minister for Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare.

Adesiyan, whose rising profile is getting beyond the Nigerian movie industry, scored politically when in 2019, she was chosen as one of the aides to the Nigerian first lady, Aisha Buhari. The actress was appointed the Personal Assistant on Domestic and Social events alongside five other appointees.

On the award, the actress cum politician said, “It was a great honour to have received this recognition from the most distinguish frontline traditional ruler in Africa.

“This award of excellence is a continuous reminder to me to always work hard.

Adesiyan also advised the over 1000 students of the host university in attendance to always strive to be the best in order to achieve big in life regardless of their backgrounds.

“He, who works hard, will stand before kings because I strongly believe that there is no nobility in poverty and it doesn’t matter whether you are from Ikorodu or Ikoyi, immediately you substitute recklessness for diligence, your true potential becomes a reality”.

Other awardees include Eyitope Kola Oyeneyin, Seyi Awolowo and many others.

In his own reaction, the Ooni announced, “We are setting up a movement, a block-chain of young entrepreneurs that has never been done before because we see an intrinsic value in you guys. We shall set up a forum for all of you to meet world leaders starting from Accra, Ghana.

“During our visit to Ghana, the Vice President of Ghana, Mahamudu Bawumia, encouraged everyone to be the true light of Africa and never to forget the bond that binds every African together.”

It was a general agreement that not only has the Ooni shown other leaders what it means to support young and promising Nigerians, he has also successfully bridged the divide between the present leaders and future entrepreneurs.

The award ceremony, which was put together by Dr. Ayobami Oyedare, the CEO of the Global Outreach of the Ooni of Ife, is the biggest and most authentic celebration of young under 40 entrepreneurs.

Funke Adesiyan joined active politics when she emerged as the southwest coordinator for Mallam Shekarau’s presidential campaign back then in 2011 and contested for a seat at the Oyo State House of Assembly under Peoples Democratic Party before she defected to the APC in 2018.