The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has celebrated his 50th birthday amidst pomp on October 17, 2024.
The highly revered monarch was surrounded by friends, family members, monarchs and dignitaries from all walks of life who celebrated with him.
The occasion which kicked off at 12 midnight of Thursday, October 20, heralded the monarch’s new year with fireworks and cake-cutting with two of his queens present.
Meanwhile, the monarch, who was in high spirits during the celebration, thanked his friends present and also reminisced on a certain birthday he celebrated without any queen by his side.
Speaking in Yoruba, Ooni Ogunwusi said, “I thank you for standing by me. I appreciate everyone especially King Saheed Elegushi who has always been by me. I also thank my queens—Mariam and Temitope. Thank you for being with me always. I remember celebrating one of my birthday without a queen by my side. I was the only one who celebrated. But then, today, it’s another story entirely.”
Naomi Silekunola, a former queen who unceremoniously left the Ooni of Ife, had announced her separation from him on December 23, 2021.
They got married in 2018.
By October 2022 when the Ooni Ogunwusi clocked 48, there was no official queen beside him. By 2023, he married six women and they all occupied his palace within two weeks.
Prophetess Naomi, the former queen, who has become an Instagram celebrity since her marriage to the king, had erased any room for reconciliation when she was asked if she would return to Ile Ife as queen.
She said, “I am going to answer that question with a question. As I have been speaking to you for the past one hour, do I look like someone who can survive in the midst of six mature and strong women? No! She is but a soft, strong, gentle woman and I can’t be a square peg in a round hole.”
Naomi and the king’s union produced a son, Tadenikawo.