The cradle of the Yoruba race, Ile-Ife, was thrown into historic celebration on Saturday, 20th September,2025, as the Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa, Olofin Adimula, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, installed 20 new monarchs within the ancient kingdom.
The colourful ceremony, held at the Palace of Oodua, saw the coronation of prominent traditional rulers including HRM Oba Adegoke Owojori, the Obajio of Moore, HRM Oba Olatunde Owole Erinle, the Olu of Erinle Town, HRM Oba Kehinde Adeyinka Adetoro, the Olu of Awoyaya Town, amongst others across different towns under the Ife Kingdom.
In his royal charge, Ooni Ogunwusi reminded the new Obas that their crowns are not ornaments for personal glory but sacred symbols of service, unity, and development. “Your crowns are for responsibility, not self-aggrandizement. You must be peacemakers, unifiers, and drivers of progress in your communities,” the Ooni declared.
Also speaking, the Lowa Adimula of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Adekola Adesiyan, and the Obalufe of Ife, HRM Oba Idowu Olaniyi Adediwura, echoed calls for humility, fairness, and loyalty to the source, urging the new monarchs to prioritise the cultural and socio-economic growth of their people.
The coronation further cements Ile-Ife’s role as the fountainhead of Yoruba tradition, with Ooni Ogunwusi positioning the newly installed monarchs as custodians of peace and progress in their domains.
