Ooni of Ife crowns 20 new Obas, declares unity their greatest duty
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The monarch further urged them to work in harmony, stressing that their collective efforts were vital to strengthening cultural values and improving socio-economic conditions across Ife Kingdom.
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The ancient city of Ile-Ife was steeped in history on Saturday as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, crowned 20 new monarchs in a grand ceremony held at the Palace of Oodua.
Among the newly installed traditional rulers were Oba Adegoke Owojori, Obajio of Moore; Oba Olatunde Owole Erinle, Olu of Erinle Town; Oba Kehinde Adeyinka Adetoro, Olu of Awoyaya Town; and Oba Adegbaju Azee, Olu of Ifeparapo Town. Others included Oba Adedunni Gbadegesin, Olu of Onida; Oba Gbade Agboola, Olu of Irewole; Oba Adebamiji Adeniyi Habedeen, Olu of Onimon; and Oba Abdul Wasiu Hassan, Olu of Alaseyori.
Also crowned were Oba (Dr.) Gbadegesin Elubode, Olu of Obagibile; Oba Oladipo Olayinka Fasesin, Olu of Famia; Oba Akinola John Adebayo Fadoyin, Olu of Kajola Obalara; Oba Akeem Ogungbade, Olu of Elefon-Obagibile Olofin; Oba Awojobi Lateef Olawale, Loja of Oke-Owena; Oba Mayowa Awosope, Olu of Ayedire; and Oba Fatai Abass Adeyini, Olu of Aye-Arode.
The list was completed with Oba Bolanle Azeez Odebola, Olu of Asarogun; Oba Olufemi Olajide Omidirepo, Olu-Oke of Oke-Ora, Iranje; Oba Gbenga Adewole Ogunleye, Olu of Abeji; Oba Adegoke Olafare Arilewola, Olu of Idu Ladare; and Oba Afeez Iyiola Akinyele, Olu of Erinje.
In his address, Ogunwusi reminded the newly crowned Obas that their titles were not ornaments of prestige but instruments of responsibility.
“Your crowns are symbols of service. They should never be used for personal gain, but as tools to bring peace, unity, and development to your people,” he declared.
The Ooni further urged them to work in harmony, stressing that their collective efforts were vital to strengthening cultural values and improving socio-economic conditions across Ife Kingdom.
Supporting the Ooni’s charge, the Lowa Adimula of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Adekola Adesiyan, advised the new monarchs to govern with humility, fairness, and wisdom. “This is not a contest for supremacy but a call to selfless service,” he said.
Similarly, the Obalufe of Ile-Ife, Oba Idowu Olaniyi Adediwura, underscored the importance of loyalty to Ile-Ife as the ancestral source of the Yoruba race.
The Ooni enjoined the new rulers to contribute actively to the cultural and economic advancement of their respective domains.
The ceremony, filled with traditional grandeur, reaffirmed the Ooni’s pivotal role as custodian of Yoruba culture and spiritual heritage.
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