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Osaara Festival 2018

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PRESIDENT TINUBU FELICITATES OONI OF IFE AT 49

 

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Just like every other festival, Osaara would come and go as each year passes by. “But it is imperative for the sake of posterity that diligent records in black and white are kept henceforth for history to prevail. Everyone needs to know what each festivals symbolises in order to pass it to generations unborn. This will help them to have a sense of history  and they also can continue  to propagate our culture.” Those were the exact words of the god-man holding forth for the progenitor of the Oduduwa race, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi Ojaja II, Ooni of Ile-Ife Oduduwa.  As a reaction to the words of ‘Oni le Ife- the owner of the land of Ife,’ I took it upon myself to do expository writing of my findings from His Imperial Majesty, my king, the Arole Oodua.  Some of my previous writings include discoveries from Olojo, Osoosi and Olokun festivals.

Our focus here shall be on the Osara festival which begins the annual Orisa calendar in Ile-Ife.  The celebration often takes a course of 5 days before it is finalised. In time passed, 2 days were often set aside for the people of Ile-Ife to visit the neighbouring community of Okeigbo and Ifetedo to get male palm fond to be used as costumes. The Osara festival is usually celebrated shortly after the Olokun festival in Ile-Ife. The peak of the celebration which is usually at commencement is characterised by thunder spells and rainfall which is often invoked by the Oonirisa after the appeasement to the god and prayers to Olodumare using pigeon and water as part of the offering.

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 The miracle of immediate thunder spell and heavy downpour has been the order of the day since the reactivation of this energies since 2016 which marks the first Osaara festival celebrated by  Ooni Ogunwusi  since his ascension to the throne.  The 5th of May 2018 was the peak of this year’s celebration. This informs us why the rainy days are here…… Physical evidence in form of pictures shall be attached to this writing.

Need I remind you that, Ile-Ife has a calendar of three hundred and sixty-five less a day in respect to its festivals and worship of deities; deities are messengers of God.  It is therefore worthy of note that, “Ife Oodaye kan!  Ife Ooyelagbo kan!  Ile-Ife Oduduwa kan! – Ojo kan;Oosa kan ni Ile-Ife.” These exclamatory statements imply that, ‘there existed 3 dynasties in the Yoruba kingdom; the first dynasty being the Ife Oodaye, the second was Ife Ooyelagbo and the third which still exists to date is Ile-Ife Oduduwa,’ while Oduduwa was the first king,  the incumbent Oonirisa remains the 51st king of Oduduwa kingdom.  (I shall save us the stories of the 1st and 2nddynasties until such time that it is required).

Osaara which means Lagoon became the second wife of Oduduwa after the first wife, Olokun (Ocean) could not conceive.  According to Fabunmi in the book Ife Shrines, the genealogy of the Ile-Ife clan exhibit a similar, but less radical, from the diversion biblical descent pattern. The most revered monarch, Ooni  Ogunwusi also reverted to the bible while explaining the existence of Osaara as one of the five water-body referred to in the book of Genesis 2:10-14. He stated that the other water body include; Olokun which is the source of the four other water-body: Osun, Osaara, Esinmirin and Yeyemolu. Note also that these five became deities and are part of the two hundred and one deities of Ile-Ife.

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Osaara became the choicest wife of Oduduwa after she gave birth to their only son, Akanbi. Akanbi would later give birth to the seven children of Oduduwa. The first wife, Olokun felt undermined by the development considering the fact that she advised her husband to marry Osaara, her best friend for the reason of procreation. Therefore, the superiority battle began. It was quite bad that Oduduwa arranged a meeting in which he invited the chiefs-in-council to mediate between the wives.  In a typical women display, both wives decided to show-off their substance at the meeting. Olokun who was extremely beautiful and wealthy (she made and traded in beads) adored herself in beautiful and shinning aso-oke and beads. She also decorated the meeting venue with lovely ornaments and also made mouth-watering dishes for the people; the people in consonance with Olokun came up with the idea of “Olobe lo l’oko” meaning ‘a good cook is the husband’s favourite.’

 Osaara heard the news of Olokun’s display of beauty and fame. She also decided to showcase her most prized possession, her children as a clap-back.  She adored her children in fine attire accompanied with palm fond (agbon seed) on their arms and feet as they danced to the meeting place chanting “Olomo lo l’aye o, Osaara mo gbomo de o” meaning, ‘a fruitful wife rules the world, here comes Osaara with her children.’ This song had since become an anthem during the Osaara festivals.

This unhealthy rivalry would mark the beginning of the end to these adorable queens of the Oduduwa kingdom. Osaara became the spectacle as she was joined by the crowd from Lakoro’s compound near the Ife market. At the junction of Oriyangi near the palace she chanted “agbon ro” and her followers’ responded “ro” meaning the palm fond has descended and they continued chanting the Osaara anthem and also making musical sounds with the agbon. The Osaara- agbon followers still chant through the shrine to the Ooni’s palace during the Osaara festival to date.

 The group marvelled the king and all the audience so much that they were accorded a standing ovation.  Osaara was such a good dancer! However, the children and the entire followers of Osaara danced so much that they shattered the ornaments displayed by Olokun. This got Olokun angry so much that she swore, never again to have any dealings with Osaara. On the contrary, Osaara promised never to desert Olokun.  Lest I forget, in contrast to all the mouth-watering dishes made by Olokun, Osaara could only afford to offer her followers with bean cake; reason why ‘Ekuru’ is a must at every Osaara festival.

It became a pity-party as Olokun distributed all her material goods and substances to the children of Osaara before she embarked on this journey of no return. Lots of Aso-Oke and beads were handed to the children of Osaara. This explains why worshippers of Osaara usually have Aso-Oke tied around their waist and beads on their necks. On the other hand, Osaara was not ready to back-down on the promise to always be with her good friend turned rival-wife. Hence, Osaara followed Olokun as she left Ile-Ife in annoyance. Olokun went through Ilesha; her pond bake/sign of passage can be spotted in the palace of Owa Aromolaran of Ilesha to date. She thereafter passed through Abeokuta and some neighbouring community and at last to the final destination, Lagos and still in company of Osaara.

Alas, Olokun hit the ground; she fell and became the Okun, the Ocean. In like manner, in a bid to keep her vow, Osaara also hit the ground and turned to the Lagoon. Mysteriously, both Okun and Osa remains neighbours but not a friendly one afterwards, as there is a visible demarcation between both water-body to date.

The goddess of Osaara is the mother of the Yoruba tribe, she represents fruitfulness and her love for children and husband cannot be over-emphasised. She is also referred as the deity of the swamp. Osaara is celebrated in the month of May at the Osaara shrine in Moore, Ile-Ife.

Gbemisola Bisi-Taiwo

PhD Candidate, Maynooth University Department of Law.

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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OSINACHI CHIBUZO ONYEOZIRI: FROM HEALING TO DATA BY CHINEDU NSOFOR

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OSINACHI CHIBUZO ONYEOZIRI: FROM HEALING TO DATA

BY
CHINEDU NSOFOR

 

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In the dynamic landscape of modern careers, few individuals traverse diverse paths with the same vigor and determination as Osinachi Chibuzo Onyeoziri. His journey unfolds like a tapestry woven with threads of healing and data, melding the worlds of medicine and technology into a seamless narrative of achievement and innovation.

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Osinachi’s odyssey began in the hallowed halls of the Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina in Havana, Cuba, where he embarked on a quest for knowledge that would shape his future. From 2001 to 2007, he diligently pursued his Doctorate in Medicine (MD), honing his skills and nurturing a passion for healing that would define his early career.

After completing his medical education, Osinachi returned to his homeland, Nigeria, where he dedicated over three years of his life to serving as a Medical Officer at the 81 Division Hospital/Medical Services in Lagos. In this role, he delivered compassionate care to countless patients, whether in outpatient clinics, emergency rooms, or inpatient wards. His commitment to excellence extended beyond bedside manner, as he spearheaded initiatives to enhance clinical processes, ensuring optimal outcomes for those under his care.

However, Osinachi’s journey took an unexpected turn as he felt a calling towards the realm of data science. In 2022, he embarked on a new educational endeavor, enrolling in the Masters in Data Science Management program at the Rome Business School in Lagos, Nigeria. Here, he delved into the intricacies of data analysis, mastering the tools and techniques necessary to extract insights from vast troves of information.

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Armed with his newfound expertise, Osinachi emerged as a multifaceted professional, seamlessly blending his medical background with his data-driven acumen. His skill set transcended traditional boundaries, encompassing program and project management, process improvement, business development, and leadership.

One of Osinachi’s defining attributes is his unwavering commitment to continuous learning and development. Throughout his career, he has embraced opportunities to expand his horizons, acquiring proficiency in technical tools such as SQL, Tableau, and Python, while also refining soft skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication.

Moreover, Osinachi’s bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish has enabled him to navigate diverse cultural landscapes with ease, fostering connections and collaborations across borders.

In reflecting on his journey, Osinachi remains humble, acknowledging the mentors, colleagues, and patients who have shaped his path. He sees his transition from medicine to data science not as a departure from his roots but as a natural evolution, driven by a desire to effect positive change on a broader scale.

As he stands at the intersection of healing and data, Osinachi Chibuzo Onyeoziri embodies the spirit of innovation and resilience, inspiring others to embrace the limitless possibilities that lie at the nexus of tradition and technology

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Wavy The Creator unveils empowering anthem “Star” collaborate with Victoria’s secret

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Wavy The Creator unveils empowering anthem "Star" collaborate with Victoria's secret.

Wavy The Creator unveils empowering anthem “Star” collaborate with Victoria’s secret.

 

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A Nigerian-born US-based raising artist, Jennifer Ijeoma (Wavy the Creator), has announced the release of a new empowering anthem “Star” to celebrate resilience of womanhood across the globe.

 

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Wavy The Creator, while making a disclosure in an electronic statement, said the anticipated single ‘STAR’ anthem in Collaboration with Victoria’s secret will be released on March 27th, 2024.

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Speaking about the inspiration for “STAR,” she explained that it is a song that describes a woman as a strong, beautiful, and confident woman. The song represents every woman who was part of the world tour experience and every woman in the world.

 

Wavy The Creator unveils empowering anthem "Star" collaborate with Victoria's secret.

 

 

“The music serves as an empowerment anthem for self-belief and resilience, affirming that every woman is a celestial force in her own right.”

STAR, the song was collaborated with Victoria’s secret debuting as part of the prestigious Victoria’s Secret Tour ’23 and produced by Higo Blend’s afro melodies, a funk baseline, and post-disco percussion.

Wavy The Creator is a professional recording artist, photographer, fashion designer, and filmmaker based in Houston, Texas. She worked as the official photographer for Nigerian hip-hop artist Olumide in 2017.

Recently, she released her debut EP, P.S. Thanks you for waiting, and with her genre-defying sound and captivating vocals, features artists worldwide like CKay, Wurld, Efya, Tay Lwar, and others.
Edited by: Fashina Shakiru

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WOMEN LEADERS TO GATHER FOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN KENYA

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WOMEN LEADERS TO GATHER FOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN KENYA

WOMEN LEADERS TO GATHER FOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN KENYA

 

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Strong indications have emerged that this year’s international women’s day conference will be the biggest gathering of international women leaders across the globe. This is because of the enthusiasm the conference has recorded in the last few months.

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The conference which is being organised in conjunction with the Centre for Black Arts and Civilisation CBAC is a transformative event celebrating women’s achievements and addressing barriers to their progress.

 

 

 

It is scheduled to take place from April 17 to 20, 2024, at the prestigious Weston Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya and expected to be the biggest and most impactful gathering of women leaders from around Africa.

 

 

 

The theme of this year’s conference is *#InspireInclusion: Supporting Women and Girls In Leadership, STEM, Business, and Talent Development*. It will feature a series of engaging workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions designed to empower women and girls in these key areas.

 

WOMEN LEADERS TO GATHER FOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN KENYA

 

According to the event coordinator, Duchess Bolaji Odunuga, Principal Partner at Custodian Global Consult and Chief Editor of Duchess International Magazine, “we are thrilled to host this important event, which aims to inspire, educate, and empower women from all walks of life,” adding “at a time when women’s rights and achievements are more important than ever, we are proud to provide a platform for women to share their stories, ideas, and experiences.”

 

 

 

 

Yinka Odeajo, Managing Partner of Custodian Global Consult, adds, “We are thrilled to be part of this impactful event that highlights the importance of women in leadership and development. Through our collective efforts, we can effect positive change and empower women to achieve their full potential.”

 

 

 

The conference will kick off with a Registration and Meet and Greet session on April 17, followed by a full day of workshops on April 18. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the sights and sounds of Nairobi on April 19 before the conference concludes with a full day of sessions on April 20, culminating in a gala dinner and awards ceremony.

 

 

 

“We invite women leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers from around the world to join us in Nairobi for this historic event,” said Odunuga. “Together, we can inspire inclusion, support women and girls in leadership roles, and create a more equal and just society for all.”

 

 

 

To register for the International Women’s Day Conference 2024 and secure a place, prospective participants are encouraged to visit https://custodianconsult.com/events-2/womens-international-conference/
Duchess International Magazine is a leading publication dedicated to redefining what it means to be a modern African queen, celebrating life and achievements, and inspiring dreams. With a focus on women of African descent, strives to empower and uplift its readers through engaging content and meaningful dialogue.

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