The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, with the approval of Ooni-in-council, has publicly declared Dr (Mrs) Sally Mbanefo, Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), as the Moremi of Ile-Ife, saying she is a special gift toCultural tourism in Nigeria.

Oba Ogunwusi, who described Mrs Mbanefo as possessing incredible positive energy, noted: “She has proved to all that someone’s tribe has nothing to do with their performance at a national position. She is not Yoruba, yet she appreciates our culture. She is not Hausa, but she visits cultural-tourist centres in the North.”

The Ooni observed that although Mrs Mbanefo is not Yoruba, she has contributed immensely to the promotion of Yoruba cultural tourism than any of her predecessors, adding: “She was the first director-general of NTDC who did not only declare her interest in promotion of domestic tourism but has been consistent in attending and identifying with major cultural-tourism festivals in Yoruba land, as well as in other parts of the country.”

The royal majesty disclosed that “the imperial palace of Ife, the cradle of Yoruba race, has a conspicuous record of Mbanefo’s passionate cultural relationship with Ife; not only by attending its cultural festivals but also participating actively: demonstrating her passion and likeness to Moremi of old.”

Expressing the approval of Ife people, a former member of the Tourism Committee in the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Makinde, who formally gave the vote of thanks on behalf of Ile-Ife, also described the declaration of Mrs Mbanefo as Moremi of Ile-Ife, by the Ooni, as most apt, commendable and eminently deserved.

“All she does is promoting domestic tourism in Nigeria and has been a woman of integrity,” Makinde said.

Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye also eulogised the footprints of the D-G, whom he said he has known for almost 30 years, as a very serious career woman of integrity.

“I am humbled by all the gestures, and promise to live up to the expectation of all tourism stakeholders, while I jointly declare Ife as a tourism zone,” Mrs Mbanefo responded.

•Photo showsOoni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Alayeluwa Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, praying for NTDC D-G, Mrs Sally Mbanefo.