President Buhari appoints Ooni of Ife as UNN Chancellor

President Buhari has appointed the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja ll, as the Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The Ooni's appointment was announced by the Director of Media, Ooni’s Palace, Moses Olafare, yesterday February 18th, 2016.

“This appointment would develop further and enable the monarch to build more bridges of friendship most especially across the Niger,” the statement read

The Ooni would assume office as the institution's  Chancellor  on February 20th, 2016.

The Ooni of Ife, his Imperial Majesty Arole Oduduwa Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, pictured after receiving his Staff of Office from Osun state governor, Rauf Aregbesola at his coronation ceremony in Ile-Ife yesterday December 7th. See more photos after the cut...

New Ooni of Ife: Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi

His appointment was announced in a press statement by the Government of Osun state moments ago. The Statement was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti. 

The statement reads: “The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has approved the appointment of a new Ooni of Ife. He is Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi of the Giesi Ruling House of Ile Ife State of Osun. 

This choice follows the completion of the due process by the kingmakers and the communication of their decision to the Government.” 

Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi’s Profile: 

35 princes contending to take the vacant throne of the Ooni of Ife

35 princes from the 4 ruling houses in Ile-Ife are now jostling for the vacant stool of the Ooni of Ife. 

The Giesi Ruling House which claims it is its turn to produce the next traditional ruler for Ile-Ife after the demise of Oba Okunade Sijuwade at the weekend set in motion plans to present qualified persons to the king-makers.

The  ruling house according to reliable sources met on Saturday at the family compound at Agbedede lane in Ile-Ife to receive the report of its Selection Screening Committee.

It was gathered that the committee with Prince Ropo Ogunwusi as the Chairman and Prince Kehinde Ogunwusi as secretary  submitted its report to the Head of the family, Prince Modupe Fadehan.

Ooni Widows Cannot Re-Marry, It’s Either They Remain Single or Be Inherited by the New Ooni

The wives of the late‎ Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Olubuse II, by tradition cannot re-marry after the demise of their husband, according to a palace chief. 

The chief, who preferred not to be named, said the order was prescribed by the Ife tradition since the Ooni is not considered dead but to have transited to a higher realm. 

Maintaining that the Ooni still lives, he said it is forbidden for wives left behind by Oba Sijuwade to re-marry. 

At Last, Ife Chiefs Confirm Ooni of Ife Is Dead

The Ife traditional council in Osun State has officially confirmed the death of the Ooni of Ife, Okunade Sijuade Olubuse II, after denying that the monarch had passed away.

The Awara of Iwara-Ife, Layi Adereti, made this known in Ife while speaking on the preparation for the burial of the Ooni, who died at Saint Mary Hospital in London about two weeks ago.

He said the official proclamation of the passage of the Ooni of Ife would be made on Wednesday 12th August 2015.

The traditional ruler said the Oro festival was the final rite of passage for the Ooni, declaring that the 

final pronouncement of the demise of Ooni has been fixed for Wednesday between the hours of 9am and 4pm.

“This is an official statement from the palace of Awara of Iwara-Ife who is the head of Oro deity that on Wednesday 12th August 2015, there would be official proclamation of the demise of Ooni of Ife,” he said.