Prince Ogunwusi was on Monday named the 51st Ooni of Ife by Osun State government to succeed Oba Okunade Sijuwade who on July 28, 2015 joined his ancestors in a London hospital.
The Obadio of Ile-Ife and the head of Isoro cults, Oba Olajide Ifaloba said: “The Ooni-designate will arrive (Wednesday) and this is authoritative.”
It was further learnt that all shops within the ancient town will be closed as a mark of honour for the new Ooni.
Meanwhile, sources around Ile Oodua, the official Ooni’s palace said that the rites expected to precede the entry of an Ooni-designate into Ile-Ife have been concluded, strengthening the royal entry expectation.
The Oba Isoro, Oba Eluyele Olawenu, the Lowa Eredumi of Ile-Ife, who according to tradition will handle the installation rites of the monarch, earlier said only the Ifa oracle could determine the best time for him to enter the town.
According to the tradition of Ile Ife, Ooni does not only belong to Isoro cult but also manages its affairs with the help of Obadio, the head of all deities in the town.
It was learnt that members of Isoro cult held a crucial meeting to determine the form the installation rites would take, bearing in mind the approaching all-important Olojo festival.
Atmosphere in the ancient town of Ife remains calm with heavy security presence in strategic areas.
At the family house of the Oshinkola Ruling House, there was a police van parked with some armed policemen.
Commenting on the presence of the security men in the area, Sooko Adegbaju Adeyinka said the family was adequately policed even before the announcement of the new monarch.
More congratulatory messages
Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated the people of Ile-Ife especially the Yoruba nation in particular and the good people of Osun State in general on the official announcement of a new Ooni of Ife.
The congratulatory message in a statement by the party’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr Kunle Oyatomi, in Osogbo said with the state government finally announcing Adeyeye Ogunwusi as successor to Oba Okunade Sijuwade, a new era has begun in the change paradigm.
As such, the new paradigm should incorporate the paramount Yoruba traditional institution into the dynamic renewal that is currently sweeping accross the country.
“We expect the Ooni-designate to drive the traditional institution with similar if not stronger zest and panache that Oba Sijuade deployed to promote culture, especially that of the Yoruba nation throughout the world.
“We have no doubt in our mind, the APC said, “that the choice of Ogunwusi as the new Ooni must have been based on his pedigree and antecedent and exalted achievements he has attained that would be of significant value to his reign as the paramount ruler in Yorubaland,” the statement reads.
Similarly, the Senator representing Osun East and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Babajide Omoworare has congratulated Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi on his nomination as the next Ooni of Ile-Ife.
In a statement by his media aide Mr. Tunde Dairo, Senator Omoworare prayed to God for good health and long life for Prince Ogunwusi.
He also prayed for a peaceful, thriving and prosperous reign for the people of Ile-Ife.
-Vanguard