Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi

Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Akande is a Nigerian monarch. He has served as the traditional ruler, or Ooni, of the Yoruba kingdom of Ile-Ife since 2015.^[1]

His Imperial Majesty Kabiyesi Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi Ojaja II Ojaja II
Ojaja II
Ooni of Ife
Incumbent
Assumed office 26 October 2015
Preceded by	Olubuse II
Personal details
Born	(1974-10-17) 17 October 1974 Nigeria
Nationality	Nigerian
Children	Princess Adeola Ogunwusi
Parents	Prince Aderopo Ogunwusi Princess Wuraola Ogunwusi
Residence	Ile Oodua (Ooni's Palace)
Occupation	Accountant Real Estate Developer King

Early life

He started his elementary education at Subuola Memorial Nursery and Primary School, Ibadan and Ibadan District Council, Akobo, Ibadan. He then proceeded to the prestigious Loyola College, Ibadan and later to St. Peters Secondary School, Ile-Ife, where he bagged his secondary school leaving certificate. He graduated as an accountant from The Polytechnic, Ibadan.

Professional career

He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. He is also an Associate Accounting Technician. The Oba is a certified member of the Institute of Directors. He is also a member of the Global Real Estate Institute. He holds a number of honorary doctorate degrees: one in Public Administration from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and another in Law from Igbinedion University.

The Oba is the Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Selection and coronation

Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi was selected from amongst several well to do indigenes of Ile-Ife who were also heirs to the throne on 26 October 2015. He received his staff of office on 7 December 2015. He has been described as an ‘astute entrepreneur driven by the need to turn impossibilities into possibilities. The Oba is the spiritual leader of the Yoruba people now saddled with the responsibility of making supplications to God and the Òrìṣà on behalf of his tribe and the world at large during annual festivals such as Olojo.^[2]

Achievements

Shortly after his coronation, Ooni Ogunwusi met with the Alaafin of Oyo and by so doing initiated a new era in the history of the Yoruba States. He effectively broke the jinx of institutionalised discord between the thrones that had plagued Ile-Ife and Oyo for decades previously. The Oba is an advocate for the empowerment and emancipation of women and young people. He has transformed Ile-Ife into a tourist zone, with changes including the beautification, redesign and re-construction of the ancient city. Oba Ogunwusi is also a renowned philanthropist^[3] who is committed to humanity and an advocate for the less privileged. He has granted support over the years through the House of Oduduwa Foundation and, recently, through Hopes Alive Initiative.^[4]

Personal life

He was born at exactly 13.00GMT on 17 October 1974 to the family of Oluropo and Wuraola Ogunwusi of the Giesi Royal House, Agbedegbede Compound in the city of Ile-Ife. His birth was predicted years before he was conceived. Hence, he was named Enitan by his mother while his grandfather named him Adeyeye, which means ‘the crown befits the throne.^[5] The Oba is the fifth child in a family of seven.

Although he isn't currently married, he has been involved with a number of women. Notable among them is Adebukola Bombata, whom he married in 2008, Olori Wuraola Zaynab Otiti, his second wife (2016-2017), and Omolara Olatubosun, with whom he has his only daughter and with whom he is a co-parent. The daughter's name is Princess Adeola Aanuolouwapo Ogunwusi (born in May, 1994).

References