Ooni of Ife titles 20 new monarchs in Ile-Ife, urging them to embrace unity, humility and service to drive peace and development in the kingdom

The colourful event saw Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, crown distinguished leaders including Oba Adegoke Owojori, Obajio of Moore; Oba Olatunde Owole Erinle, Olu of Erinle; and Oba Kehinde Adeyinka Adetoro, Olu of Awoyaya.

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Others honoured included Oba Adegbaju Azee, Olu of Ifeparapo, and Oba Adedunni Gbadegesin, Olu of Onida, alongside fifteen additional rulers representing various Ife communities.

In his royal charge, the Ooni reminded the new monarchs that their crowns symbolised service, unity and responsibility rather than mere privilege. “Your crowns are not for personal glory. They represent responsibility, peace, unity, and development for your people,” he said.

He urged them to embrace collective leadership, preserve cultural heritage and strengthen socio-economic growth across the kingdom.

The Lowa Adimula of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Adekola Adesiyan, also counselled the new rulers to lead with humility and fairness, stressing that kingship was a call to service, not a contest for supremacy.

Similarly, the Obalufe of Ile-Ife, Oba Idowu Olaniyi Adediwura, underscored loyalty to Ile-Ife as the spiritual and ancestral home of the Yoruba, noting that unity within the monarchy was key to sustaining its influence.

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The event reinforced Ile-Ife’s status as the cultural heartbeat of the Yoruba people, with the Ooni positioning the titles as instruments of peace and development.