in , ,

All set for Dec. 7 presentation of staff to Ooni Ogunwusi

ALL roads lead to Ile-Ife, The Source, Osun State on Monday, December 7, 2015, as the new Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), would be presented the staff of office as the new paramount ruler of the ancient kingdom.

The historical event is expected to attract dignitaries from different parts of the country and beyond.

ENCOMIUM Weekly gathered from an impeccable source that all hands are now on deck for the success of the occasion that would unite all traditional rulers from different parts of the country, especially the Yoruba land.

The source further disclosed to us that the event would kick off on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, with traditional performances by different cultural groups.  This, we were told, would take place at Ile Oodua in the presence of the new monarch, palace chiefs and other illustrious sons and daughters of Ile-Ife and its environs.

“The final ceremony is a week-long event.  It starts on Tuesday, December 1, and ends on Monday, December 7, 2015.  Different cultural groups from the town and beyond would start performing from that Tuesday, December 1.

“There are lots of activities that are already lined up for the final coronation.  All the activities are spread through the seven days.  But the grand finale holds on Monday, December 7, 2015, when the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola would present the staff of office to the new Ooni.

“Now, all members of the Giesi Ruling House are united for the activities.  I learnt they’re already circulating different Ankara aso ebi.  And notable musicians, including King Sunny Ade and other top fuji artistes are likely to perform at the grand finale.

“Most hotels in the town have been fully booked already, especially by those coming to be part of the expectedly colourful event from far places.”

Revealing the reason the new Ooni’s elder brother, Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi stepped down for him at the peak of the contest, the source explained, “Forget about the fact that Oba Enitan Ogunwusi was chosen by the oracle.  The whole thing wouldn’t have been easy for him if his elder brother, Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi didn’t step down at the last minute on the advice of their father, Prince Ropo Ogunwusi.

“I learnt it’s their father who pleaded with Adetunji to step down for his younger brother.  Adetunji is also very much interested in the stool. I also learnt their father acted on the prediction of his father, Enitan would take over from the next Ooni when he was born.  So, the whole thing had been foretold.  Therefore, Adetunji had no choice than to forget about it forever.

“I learnt he had gone back to the US after Enitan was declared the candidate for the throne by the kingmakers.  But now, he should be around for the final ceremony.”

Speaking with ENCOMIUM Weekly on Sunday, November 29, 2015, on the coronation and all the processes involved, the next in command to late Obalufe, Oba Solomon Omisakin, Chief Jaaran of Ife, High Chief Adekola Adeyeye rubbished the story that the new Ooni was secretly coronated.  He added that everything was done according to Ife tradition.

“Yes, the real coronation has been carried out inside the palace as demanded by the tradition of the land.  The word, secret some journalists are suing to describe the exercise is not good at all. We did the whole thing exactly in accordance with the tradition.  So, there was nothing secret.

“The new Ooni has been crowned on Monday, November 23, 2015, after he had completed his coronation rites at seclusion in Ilofi.  As kingmakers, we have performed our roles which is the most important thing.  And it was not done secretly.  Any other thing after that is just formality.

“The event of Monday, December 7, 2015, is just the official presentation of staff of office to the new Ooni by the state government.  He has since become our king the day he was coronated.

“Some who don’t understand the culture are the ones bandying unnecessary rumour about the event of November 23, 2015.  Even, from Tuesday, December 1, 2015, activities would start again.  And we have some other ones lined up for each day until Monday, December 7, 2015, when the grand finale would hold.  That’s when people from different parts of the country would gather at the Ile Oodua publicly to witness the presentation of staff of office by the state governor.  And that’s not the real coronation but a mere presentation of staff of office.”

Meanwhile, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, was on Monday, November 23, 2015 presented and crowned with the traditional Ade-Are as the 51st Ooni to preside over the affairs of the ancient kingdom.

The crowning confirmed him as substantive Ooni as against an Ooni-elect which he had been until his seclusion in Ilofi.

Oba Ogunwusi was presented with the crown by the custodians at a place called Oke-Ora, located between Ile-Ife and Osu, Osun State.

The Oba who appeared in public for the first time after spending about 21 days in seclusion, was accompanied by indigenes of the town and members of Isoro cult.

Oba Ogunwusi, that same day visited many historic places in the town, including his family house and Obalufe compound to perform some rites according to Ife tradition.

On Tuesday, July 28, 2015, the former Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuwade (Olubuse II) joined his ancestors and was buried according to tradition weeks after.

However, hours after news started filtering that the new Ooni had been positioned to succeed him which eventually came to pass.

Oba Ogunwusi ascended the throne of his forefathers on Monday, November 23, 2015.  And by Monday, December 7, 2015, he would be presented the staff of office as paramount ruler of Ife Kingdom, which happens to be the largest in Yoruba land and beyond.

  • TADE ASIFAT
Encomium

Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Avatar

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Why high profile looters escape justice – Lawyers, activists itemize loopholes (2)

Toke Makinwa, Rukky Sanda, Ice Prince, others at Corporate Elite 2015