Meet the Prince that could become the next Ooni of Ife

Since the demise of the highly dignified Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, who commanded a lot prestige and respect as the Ooni of Ife,  the race for the next Ooni has been on. Many have wondered what the procedure would be- by inheritance or politics. And now, we get closer to the picture having learnt of the declaration document signed by P.O. Olaniyi in 19080, who was then Chairman of Chieftaincy Committee of Oranmiyan Local Government.

The document, which was prepared during the reign of the late Oba Adesoji Aderemi of the Osinkola ruling family, and forwarded for approval on September 14, 1979, approved the rotation of the stool among the 4 ruling houses-Osinkola, Ogboru, Giesi and Lafogido . The late Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Olubuse II, was from the Ogboru ruling house, which implies that by that declaration, Tokunbo Sijuwade, who is the heir appaent cannot become the next ooni of Ife. The next in line to ascend the throne must therefore come from the Giesi family and the mantle is likely to fall on, Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, being the 4th direct descendant of the Giesi family.

Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi was born 40 years ago into the family of Prince Ropo and Late Mrs Margaret Wuraola Ogunwusi (Ile Opa family compound, Ile Ife). The father was a radio and television anchor and presentation star that spanned the entire mid-1980s to early 21st century in the South-western part of Nigeria. Prince Aeyeye is an astute business man who among many things is the brain behind the multi-billion Naira Inagbe Grand Resorts and Leisure, Lagos Nigeria- the first of its kind in the whole of West Africa bounded by the Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean. With this feat, he is set to increase the country’s GDP through tourism and reduce unemployment by providing direct and indirect employment.

He is said to beloved and highly respected by the people of Ile-Ife which comes as no surprise reading thorugh his rather outstanding resume which we were priviledged to study.  If he will become the next Ooni of Ife, only time will tell.