A 40-year-old accountant has been named the new Ooni of Ife - a revered monarch in south-west Nigeria. Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is the new king, one of the most influential among the Yoruba people, Nigeria's second biggest ethnic group, who number about 35 million in West Africa. He is a prince from one of the ruling houses in the Ife kingdom. The previous Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuwade, died in a London clinic in July aged 85. Mr Ogunwusi was selected from 21 candidates who included his older brother.
The BBC's Chris Ewokor in Abuja says the selection criteria have not been made public. Traditionally, kingmakers from within the family choose the Ooni of Ife from descendents of the Yoruba god Oduduwa in consultation with their oracle, known as Ifa. Mr Ogunwusi will be one of the youngest traditional rulers in Nigeria, our reporter says. Ooni of Ife: The Ooni of Ife's kingdom is in present-day Osun state in south-west Nigeria The monarch should be a direct descendant of Oduduwa, who is a Yoruba god The practice of burying someone alive with a king who dies has long been abolished
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The newly-named Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, will officially arrive the ancient town of Ife on Tuesday to commence the coronation rites as enshrined in the customs of the Ife people.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the Kingmakers and members of the Isoro were preparing to receive him and commence the rites as soon as he arrives. Meanwhile, there was celebration in the town on Monday, particularly among the Giesi ruling where the new monarch comes from. Although the town is calm and people are going about their lawful businesses normally, trucks of soldiers were seen driving through the streets on sirens, while policemen and officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps manned strategic places.The Ile Oduduwa, which is the palace of the Ooni, is also being manned by armed security men, with an armoured personnel carrier stationed there.“The Kabiyesi will officially arrive Ife tomorrow (Tuesday) and the kingmakers and members of the Isoro will take it up from there,” Adelowo Ogunleye, Secretary of the Giesi Ruling House, said.“Once he arrives the kingmakers and members of Isoro will begin the process of crowning him.“We do not know how long it will take before that process will be concluded, but that will be left for both the kingmakers and the Kabiyesi.”He also revealed that the new Ooni who is based in Lagos, will not approach the palace on his arrival until the rituals were concluded. Mr. Ogunleye ruled out any further controversies, saying there was jubilation all over the town and the opposing families had been calling to congratulate the family.
