Royal Treat On Valentine’s Day: Ooni of Ife, A Transcultural King, Showers Gifts On Babies In Abia, Lagos, Osun States

His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan-Ogunwusi, used Valentine’s Day, Saturday, 14 February 2026, to celebrate his love for babies and nursing mothers across some states in the country.

From Abia to Lagos and Osun States, the Monarch simultaneously gifted babies with assorted special gifts to show love and affection to Nigerian children.

This special philanthropic gesture was done through the Hopes Alive Initiative (HAI), a pet project of Ooni of Ife (Chief Convener), alongside Her Regal Majesty Olori Ambassador (Dr) Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi (Deputy Convener).

In Abia State, babies were treated to a special Valentine treat at the General Hospital Aba, Abia State Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba, Abia State Specialist Hospital, Umuahia and Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) Ahiaeke, Umuahia.

In Lagos State, babies at Bariga General Hospital in Bariga enjoyed the royal gifts, while the ancient town of Ejigbo in Osun State welcomed the HAI Valentine Outreach 9.0 at the Model Primary Health Centre, Olla Road, Ejigbo, Popo Health Centre, Ejigbo, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria Hospital, Ejigbo and the Baptist Hospital, Ejigbo.

In Abia State, Her Regalia Majesty, Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, who represented the Ooni of Ife alongside Oba Fayemi Johnson, the Elerefe of Efe kingdom was joined by the First Lady, Her Excellency, Mrs Priscilla Otti, who also brought along with her high profile government officials who included the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Ifewyinwa Blossom Uma-Kalu and Special Adviser to the Governor on Vulnerable Groups and Poverty Alleviation, Chief (Mrs) Ifeoma Thomas.

Abia State’s First Lady, H.E. Mrs Priscilla Otti (right) with Her Regalia Majesty, Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi

Bags full of children’s freebies including Dr Brown’s baby wipes, feeding bottles, baby body wash and shampoo, sanitary towels, baby oil, baby powder, baby Vaseline, cotton buds, diapers, cute sponges, baby towels, baby socks, baby cups, baby flannels, baby clothes, as well as bibs, bowls, and underwear, all put together in a fancy diaper bag were generously given to newborn babies from day one to 10 to enable their mothers start a postnatal life without much hassle.

Speaking on why Abia State was part of the states chosen by the Ooni of Ife in HAI’s Valentine Day Outreach, Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi said the success of the Abia State Government led by Governor Alex Otti in different areas of human life cannot be overemphasized. Describing Abia state as a holistic state, Her Regal Majesty says she is deeply touched by the intentional and empathetic leadership of the Abia State Governor, who has invested immensely in his people and consistently demonstrated genuine love for them.

Abia’s First Lady could not hide her admiration for the Ooni of Ife and his Queen, whom she described as an embodiment of humanity and philanthropism. She commended them for sowing a seed of love, affection and peace to children in Abia State.

Mrs Otti, in her magnanimity, added N50,000 to each bag of gifts given out to the babies by the HAI Valentine Day Outreach.

At the Bariga General Hospital, the Chairman of Bariga Local Government, Honourable Bukky Adedeji, who graciously hosted the delegation, in the company of His Royal Majesty, Builder Adedire Adewole Solomon, the Onifegunwa of Ifegunwa, Ile-Ife, and Olori Oyebo Titilola of Egbin Kingdom , gladdened the hearts of babies and their mothers with assorted royal gifts and cartons of Indomie Noodles (the celebrations pack).

The Ejigbo, Osun State leg of the Outreach was led by Chief (Mrs) Fatimah Adeola Oyewusi, wife of the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, who represented Osun State’s First Lady, Her Excellency, Chief (Mrs) Titilola Adeleke. HRM Oba Eludoja Temitope Elugbemi The OBALAAYE OF IRAYE KINGDOM ILE-IFE and other dignitaries were on hand to deliver the thoughtfully crafted baby care items and relief materials with cartons of Indomie Noodles.

Hopes Alive Initiative for Africa appreciates the invaluable support of partner brands who contributed to the success of the Valentine Day Outreach. The organisation extends sincere gratitude to Indomie and Dufil, Wemy Industries (makers of Nightingale Sanitary Pads), Dr. Brown’s Baby Wipes, and Ojaja More for their generous support.

The initiative also acknowledges the support of the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Olori Abosede, Founder of Hope and Faith Global Charity Foundation; Dr. Yeye Folashade Shona,Yeye Bobajiro Odua, Matron of Artisans in Nigeria; Sani Kabiru Lawan; Dr. Olamide Balikis Junaid; and Mr Sangrare Ibrahima, whose contributions helped bring care, joy, and hope to mothers and babies across the states.