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On Saturday, 18th October 2025, I had the honour of leading a 24-man DAAF Team to the sacred city of Ile-Ife to receive the prestigious Oodua Special Recognition Award (OSRA) — a recognition of DAAF’s humanitarian impact in Nigeria, particularly our work with the elderly, orphans, and widows.

The OSRA ceremony, held annually to commemorate the birthday of His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, celebrates individuals and organisations who embody service, compassion, and commitment to community development.

It was a great honour to be named a Special Guest of Honour at such a magnificent event and to share a personal conversation and photo session with His Imperial Majesty, Kabiyesi Ojaja II. His warmth and wisdom were deeply inspiring. A particularly memorable moment came when Kabiyesi joyfully conversed in Yoruba with my British-born daughter and affectionately encouraged her to find love in Nigeria — a gesture that beautifully symbolised the bond between tradition and the new generation.

As part of our visit, the DAAF Foundation presented food items to 51 beneficiaries, including elderly people, widows, and widowers, in celebration of the 51st birthday of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II. This gesture was our humble way of honouring Kabiyesi’s legacy of love, generosity, and community upliftment.

It was truly a day of pride, purpose, and gratitude — a reminder that service to humanity remains the highest calling.