New Ooni of Ife Crowned

The new Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, received the ‘Ade Are’ (Oduduwa’s crown) on Monday 23rd November, 2015 and made his first public appearance after spending 21 days in seclusion.

Ogunwusi, who was dressed in a white apparel, was said to have been earlier crowned with a white crown at around 5am by the traditional chiefs. The traditional coronation followed the end of Ogunwusi’s stay at Ilofi, where he spent 21 days to learn certain things and to perform some installation rites.

Ogunwusi is from Giesi Ruling House, became the 51st Ooni of Ife and the Monarch has taken up the title of Ojaja II. Ogunwusi, together with members of the Isoro cult, proceeded to a place known as Oke Ora, located between Ile-Ife and Osu, along Ilesa-Ife Expressway where he received the Oduduwa crown at around 1pm.

Members of the Isoro cult carried out the Oduduwa crown procedure covertly from the hills at Oke Ora. The crown was said to have been invoked through some spiritual powers by one of the traditional rulers present there. No journalist was allowed to enter the scene for coverage. The Oduduwa crown, which has red and white colours, was seen hanging on the fist of the new Monarch but nobody was allowed to take photograph of it.

Ogunwusi did not place the Oduduwa’s crown on his head, as some of the chiefs said Ooni could only wear the Oduduwa crown once in a year. They said the new Ooni would wear the crown later this year during the Olojo Festival. Ogunwusi greeted the traditional rulers present at the site where the crown was said to have been invoked and he continued with other rites lined up for him there.

Separate groups in the town were said to have started different rites in the town since morning. The monarch visited many strategic places in the town to continue the installation rites. He visited his family compound and Obalufe compound where he also performed some rites. Gunshots were fired into the air by hunters to celebrate with him and to welcome the new monarch whose appointment has received wide acceptability across the town.

It was gathered that several mats had already been spread from Enuwa Square to the Ile Oodua (Ooni’s palace). The new Ooni would enter the palace through the back door, which had been locked since the demise of Oba Okunade Sijuwade. A source said that immediately the new Ooni entered the palace, all the doors which had been shut would be opened. This was a sign that the new Ooni had come to the palace.

Meanwhile, residents of the town trooped out to join the procession as the Ooni moved from place to place in continuation of the rites. The inauguration of the new Ooni and the presentation of the staff of office to the monarch will hold on Monday 7th December, 2015. The elaborate ceremony is expected to have in attendance dignitaries from all over the country and outside.

Ogunwusi, who is into real estate, was selected by the kingmakers as the new Ooni and his appointment was approved by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who announced him in a letter written on his behalf by the Secretary to the State Government.