The project tagged, ‘Violence free world’ is the brainchild of Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA) organiser, Cally Ikpe. Other personalities already on board for the initiative are ace comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka; former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Catholic Bishop, Father Mathew Kukah.
Gbenga Adeyinka, Cally Ikpe, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan and 2face Idibia 2face and Adeyinka were decorated by Oba Ogunwusi as ambassadors of the project at an event which held onThursday inside the expansive palace of the Ooni. Speaking on the project, Ooni Adeyeye said, “My reign is all about peace, and I’m passionate about it.
Peace is the bedrock of our existence; without harmony, we can’t live well. If there is uprising, even our leaders can’t handle it. We have seen it happen in other parts of the world, and we don’t pray for it here.”
Continuing, the monarch elaborated, “I am very keen about the youths because they’re the ones that are usually used to perpetrate violence; you can’t see kids or elderly people bearing arms. As far as this throne is concerned, I will continue to engage the youths, not just in Ile-Ife and Nigeria alone, but all over the world, to empower them and ensure a violence-free world.”
On his part, 2face commended the monarch for the initiative saying, “It is very rare to see a royalty engaging in a project like this. Anybody that knows me will be aware that I’m all about peace and I don’t joke with it. Violence affects everybody, but people tend to overlook or downplay it at times.
I assure the Ooni that I’m 2000 per cent in support of this.” Gbenga Adeyinka also assured the monarch of his support and dedication to the project, while giving him kudos for his progressive actions on the throne thus far.
In a similar vein, Cally Ikpe shed light on how the project came about. “I am very passionate about a violence-free world, I thought about the people I can partner with, and the Ooni came to mind because his antecedents have shown he is a man of peace. When I discussed the idea with him, he embraced it wholeheartedly and endorsed it as his own.
It’s not possible for man to partner with God, and since the Ooni is a deity, it means this is his project, and I’m only a part of it.”
Meanwhile, the Ooni also informed 2face that he would love to work closely with him and other Nigerian artistes to spread the message of peace.
According to him, “I want us to work closely together. You will give me a list of Nigerian musicians, and I will write letters to them asking for their support. I want you all to record a song that will bear a message of peace.
All the acts in this country will be a part of this record, and the proceeds will be used for charitable causes. None of you will benefit from the profits though, it will solely be used to help the less-privileged.”
Accepting the assignment, 2face noted that it had always been challenging getting artistes to do things like this together, but since the Ooni is involved this time, it is a done deal.
Another highlight of the program was when the Ooni directed that 2face and all other guests should be taken to a place in the palace where it is believed that all prayers are answered.
The guests thereafter proceeded to the sacred place, which is a well in which an ancient Olori of the Ooni of Ife was said to have entered the ground and turned to water thousands of years ago. There, everybody were given the water to drink while offering silent prayers.
Other personalities in attendance at the event include Omobaba the comedian, the Iyalodes of Ife and other palace chiefs.
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