The traditional aspects have been concluded – all the initiations and seclusion and indoctrination. Now it is the turn of Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, to put his seal on it. Yes, today, Monday, December 7, 2015, at Enuwa Square, adjacent Ile Oodua (Ooni’s palace) and in the next few hours, a staff of office and symbol of authority will be handed over to the 51st Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, in the presence of the world.
And as would be expected, the whole of Ile Ife, the cradle of Yoruba race, is in a gay mood. The people are happy and expectant and the town wearing a new look, with an influx of visitors. Most of the hotels in the State are booked. Likewise those in neighboring States. In fact, as you read this, many of the guests have begun trooping into Ile Ife, also popular for housing Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU. Exotic automobiles and resplendently attired guests are popping out from all corners of Ife, all heading to one place – Enuwa Square. Which has already been transformed by decorators.
The likes of Queen Elizabeth of England, President Muhammadu Buhari, all the South West Governors, etc are expected at today’s high profile event. Security has also been beefed up to ensure adequate safety and protection for all those coming.
Oba Ogunwusi, it would be recalled, was announced as the new Ooni of Ife on October 26, with his installation rites commencing on October 28. The new Ooni, who is 40 years old, was into real estate business before ascending the throne of his fore fathers and following the death of his predecessor, late Oba Okunnade Sijuwade who died at 85 on July 28, 2015 in London – St. Mary’s Hospital.