The Great Ooni of Ife or Ọba Ọjájá II, the “Oduduwa King”, is the traditional ruler and monarch of the Yoruba Kingdom of Ile-Ife. And very prominent King in the world. Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi who was born in 1974 is the 51st and the current Ooni of Ife.
As Monarchy is older than democracy, he ascended to the throne of his forebears in 2015, succeeding the deceased Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who was the 50th Ooni of Ife.
The birth of the current Ooni of Ife was said to be predicted years before he was conceived; hence, the name Enitan was given by his mother, while his grandfather named him Adeyeye, which means 'the crown befits the throne'. He is the fifth child in the family of seven and a blessed child at that.
Ooni of Ife, Ọba Ọjájá II was born Prince Adeyeye Enitan of Giesi, one of the four royal families of the House of Oranmiyan. His paternal grandfather was Prince Joseph Olagbaju Adewole Ogunwusi, whose grandfather was Ọba Ọ̀ráyẹ̀gbà (also known as Ooni Orarigba or Orasigba) Ọjájá I, who was the 44th Ooni of Ife and ruled from 1878 to 1880.
Through him, he is a direct descendant of Ooni Agbedegbede, who was a descendant of Ooni Giesi (the progenitor of the Giesi royal house), and thus a descendant of Ọọni Lajodogun. Lajodogun was a son of Ọọni Lajamisan, who was a grandson of the legendary founder of the Oyo Empire and Benin Empire, Oranmiyan. Oranmiyan was the son or grandson of the first Ooni of Ife, Oduduwa. And thus Ọba Ọjájá II is a descendant of the great Odùdùwà, one of the early rulers of Ilé Ifẹ̀.
Ooni of Ife, Ọba Ọjájá II started his elementary education at Subuola Memorial Nursery and Primary School, Ibadan, and Ibadan District Council, Akobo, Ibadan. He then proceeded to Loyola College, Ibadan, and later to St. Peters Secondary School, Ile-Ife, where he received his secondary school certificate (SSCE). He graduated as an accountant from the Polytechnic, Ibadan.
He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. He is also an associate accounting technician. Oba Ogunwusi is a certified member of the Institute of Directors. He is also a member of the Global Real Estate Institute. He holds a number of honorary doctorate degrees: one in public administration from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and another in law from Igbinedion University.
Oba Ogunwusi is the Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Selection and coronation:
Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi was selected from the Giesi ruling house of Ile-Ife, among indigenes who were also heirs to the throne, on October 26, 2015. He received his oath of office on December 7, 2015. Some sources described him as a skilled entrepreneur who has the drive to overcome challenges.
Oba Ogunwusi is the spiritual leader of the Yoruba people in Nigeria, now saddled with the responsibility of making supplications to God and the Òrìṣà on behalf of his people and the world at large during annual festivals such as Olojo.
Ooni of Ife has achieved many feats for himself and his Kingdom. Shortly after his coronation, Ooni Ogunwusi met with the Alaafin of Oyo and by so doing, initiated a new era in the history of the Yoruba States. Which was very significant as it helped to reduce the tension between the two thrones.
The Oba is an advocate for the empowerment and emancipation of women and young people. Ile-Ife has experienced notable transformations characterized by initiatives such as beautification, urban redesign, and architectural reconstruction, all directed towards augmenting its attractiveness as a prominent tourist destination under his reign.
Oba Ogunwusi is also a renowned philanthropist who is committed to humanity and an advocate for the less privileged. He has granted supports and scholarships to well deserving individuals over the years through the House of Oduduwa Foundation and, most recently, through the Hopes Alive Initiative.
In his personal life, the great Oba Ogunwusi or Ooni of Ife or Ọba Ọjájá II has been involved in a number of publicized relationships and marriages. And for the records, a King of that calibre and stature could marry as may wives as he wishes.
He had his first child, Adeola Aanuolouwapo Ogunwusi with Omolara Olatubosun in Ibadan. And in 2008, Ogunwusi married his first wife, Adebukola Bombata. In March 2016, he married Zaynab Otiti Obanor of the Benin Kingdom and Edo State. In October 2018, he married Prophetess Morenike Naomi Oluwaseyi.
Just between September and October 2022, he married Six Wives, including Mariam Anako, an Ebira of Kogi State origin, on September 6, 2022. Then, Elizabeth Opeoluwa Akinmuda, an Ondo indigene, was betrothed to him on September 7, 2022.
Thereafter, he married Tobi Phillips, an Okitipupa, Ondo State native, as his third wife on October 9, 2022. On October 14, 2022, he married Ashley Afolashade Adegoke, an Ile-Ife princess, as his fourth wife. And then, on October 20, 2022, he married yet another Ile-Ife Princess, Ronke Ademiluyi, as his fifth wife. Asake Temitope Morenike Adesegun became the Ooni's sixth wife on October 24, 2022.
Charles Atsyatsya
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