Ooni Unveils Names Of Newborn Princess

The Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and the Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, on Sunday evening officially unveiled the names of his newborn princess at a colourful traditional naming ceremony held at the ancient Emese Court within the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

 

The ceremony, which marked the formal traditional naming ceremony of the royal Princess into the revered House of Oduduwa, brought together traditional rulers, palace chiefs, custodians of Yoruba culture and tradition, family members, dignitaries and well-wishers from across the country.

The event was held exactly one week after the safe delivery of the royal Baby girl by the Ooni’s wife, Queen Oluwatosin Ogunwusi.

In a statement issued by the Senior Media Officer, Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal, on behalf of the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare, the ceremony was described as a significant moment of joy and thanksgiving for the royal household and the people of Ile-Ife.

The colourful ceremony featured rich displays of Yoruba culture and tradition, prayers, royal blessings and symbolic rites performed in accordance with the customs of the ancient Ile-Ife kingdom, regarded as the spiritual cradle of the Yoruba race.

Among those who played prominent roles at the ceremony were the custodians of various deities, traditionally known as Oba Isoro, alongside Obas and distinguished Ife High Chiefs.

In the course of the traditional rites, prayers were offered for the newborn princess using several symbolic items associated with Yoruba traditional blessings and prayers, including sugarcane, Aadun, honey, dried fish, money, pen, bitter kola, kola nuts, alligator pepper, snails, schnapps, water, palm oil, doves and other sacred and culturally significant items.

The items, according to the traditional custodians, symbolised wishes for sweetness, prosperity, wisdom, longevity, abundance, peace, knowledge, fertility, divine protection and a life of honour for the royal children.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Lowa Adimula of Ife, Oba Ademola Adeyeye, formally announced the traditional names of the newborn princess with the approval of the Ooni.

The princess was named Adelewa, Adeyele, Adeshikemi and Ayoade, Omo Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

Lowa Adimula offered prayers for the royal baby girl, asking Almighty Olodumare to grant her wisdom, sound health, strength, grace and long life, while also praying that she would grow into worthy representative of the royal dynasty and ambassador of the Yoruba race.

He expressed gratitude to Olodumare for the successful delivery of the royal princess, describing her arrival as a momentous occasion for the Ooni’s Palace, the ancient city of Ile-Ife and the wider Yoruba race.

The Lowa Adimula also congratulated the Ooni and Queen Oluwatosin on the historic addition to the royal household, praying that the arrival of the princess would usher in greater peace, prosperity, unity and progress for the kingdom.

In his remarks, the Ooni, who is also the Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), expressed profound gratitude to Almighty Olodumare for what he described as a precious gift of new life and a divine blessing to the House of Oduduwa.

The Ooni attributed the safe delivery of the royal babies to the unfailing grace and faithfulness of Olodumare, expressing appreciation to God for preserving the mother and baby throughout the period of pregnancy and delivery.

The Ooni said the birth of the princess was not only a source of immense happiness to the royal family but also a blessing that would be celebrated by the people of Ile-Ife and the entire Yoruba race.

He prayed that the newborn princess would flourish in wisdom, grace, honour, sound health and divine favour, and that their lives would be defined by purpose, service, excellence and a strong connection to the rich heritage of the Yoruba people.

 

The Ooni further prayed for the continued preservation of the royal household and the House of Oduduwa, asking Olodumare to grant the ancient kingdom enduring peace, unity, prosperity and progress.

 

He also expressed appreciation to traditional rulers, palace chiefs, family members, friends and well-wishers who joined the royal household in celebrating the arrival of the princesses and for their prayers and goodwill.