The ancient city of Ile-Ife witnessed a historic moment on Saturday as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, conferred royal titles on 20 newly appointed traditional rulers in a colourful ceremony at the Palace of Oodua.
Among those crowned were Oba Adegoke Owojori, Obajio of Moore; Oba Olatunde Owole Erinle, Olu of Erinle; Oba Kehinde Adeyinka Adetoro, Olu of Awoyaya; and Oba Adegbaju Azee, Olu of Ifeparapo. 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.
The list also featured 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.
Completing the roll were 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 remarks, the Ooni reminded the new rulers that their crowns symbolised service rather than privilege.
“Your crowns are not for personal glory. They represent responsibility, peace, unity, and development for your people,” he declared.
He urged them to work together in harmony, noting that collective leadership was essential to preserving cultural heritage and improving socio-economic growth across the Ife Kingdom.
Also speaking, the Lowa Adimula of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Adekola Adesiyan, advised the monarchs to rule with humility, fairness, and wisdom, stressing that kingship was “not a contest for supremacy but a call to service.”
The Obalufe of Ile-Ife, Oba Idowu Olaniyi Adediwura, emphasised loyalty to Ile-Ife as the spiritual and ancestral cradle of the Yoruba people.
