New Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, was yesterday crowned in the ancient city as the 51st monarch of the town ahead of his official inauguration scheduled for December 7.
Before he moved out of seclusion at Ilofi Shrine, at Iremo, where he had spent 21 days to undergo all necessary traditional rites for his coronation, Oba Ogunwusi was crowned in the wee hours of Monday at a closed-door event attended by only traditionalists.
Thereafter, he was presented with the traditional Ade-Are crown at Oke-Ora, a small village between Ile-Ife and Osu, along Ilesa Road.
Oba Ogunwusi, who appeared in public for the first time after spending 21 days in seclusion was accompanied by a huge crowd of Ife indigenes, including his family members as well as members of Isoro community amid cheers and jubilation.
He appeared in white apparel, a white crown and a white staff.
Oba Ogunwusi set out as early as 5.00am in company with traditionalists and visited many strategic historical compounds and places where traditional rites were performed.
He also visited his family house at Ojaja and Obalufe compound where some traditional rites were also performed.
As he moved from one strategic point to the other, a huge crowd who cheered him on followed him. Also, native guns were fired by the youths as a mark of victory and celebration.
As at the time of filling this report, several mats had been laid on the road from Enuwa to the palace gate on which the new Ooni would walk barefooted to enter the palace through the traditional gate behind it.
Daily Sun investigation revealed that it is after this process that the main gate to the palace, which had been closed since the demise of the immediate past Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, would be opened.
When Daily Sun visited the palace, it was discovered that all the trees within the palace metropolis had been cut, leaving the dry leaves to signify a new dawn at the palace.
Investigation also indicated that activities lined up for Oba Ogunwusi’s inauguration on December 7, would commence on November 30, and end with the presentation of staff of office by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
