Following his visit to Birmingham to attend The Phoenix Newspaper 7th Anniversary Gala Dinner and Awards Presentation on the 25th November at the ICC Birmingham, His Imperial Majesty The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II has signed a Scholarship agreement with the University of Oxford to afford him assist students in the study of African studies.
Facilitated by the University's Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Robert Easton, His Imperial Majesty and the University's African Studies Centre signed the agreement in partnership.
Director of the African Studies Centre Professor Wale Adebanwi said the scholarship is for the Postgraduate students in Africa studies. He declared Ooni Ogunwusi as the first African leader to be so honoured by Oxford, describing him as the messiah sent by God to revitalize the dying African Culture and tradition.
There was expressed optimism from Dr Easton that the Number of Nigeria students at Oxford would increase due to the Scholarship Scheme.
“We welcome a lot of Nigerians here yearly and we do give the unequaled qualitative education preparing them for leadership in the global society both in public and private sectors”
“Your Majesty, we have about 60 Nigerian students here which is still very low compared to South Africa’s 150 students. Am sure this your scholarship partnership with us will surely help in increasing the number of the students from Nigeria yearly”.
The Ooni responded by saying “Seeing Professor Adebanwi today in good spirit of origination makes me very proud as his father because this is the first time a black man would be serving in the. capacity, for this, I heartily thank the authorities of this school”.
“Africa must become a place of pride and we must join hands to make it happen. There was nothing like Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, South Africa before, we used to be one single people of one humanity, one race, and one source with several Kingdoms.
“Nobody can tell our stories, we are the ones to tell our stories. We must know where we are coming from, where we are and where we are going.
“As the Arole Oodua and Spiritual Leader of Yorubaland, I congratulate Professor Wale Adebanwi and Am very happy to be associated with you and African Studies Centre of Oxford University”.