The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has announced the appointment of Erelu Abiola Dosumu, as the new Yeye Oodua and Queen Mother of the House of Oduduwa.
Erelu now replaces Chief Mrs H.I.D. Awolowo, who was the last person to hold the prestigious title of ‘Yeye Oba of the Source’. This title has since her death 7 years ago remained vacant.
According to the Director of Media to the Ooni of Ife, Otunba Moses Olafare in a press statement said that “It took the Royal Court of Ife this long to announce a successor because of the numerous achievements of the immediate past Yeye Oodua, H.I.D Awolowo.
This is especially in the areas of human development, capacity building and her deliberate efforts at preserving the prestige and culture of the Yoruba people while alive. Mrs Awolowo was also known for her efforts to keep the peace and tranquillity across Yoruba land among others,” the statement stated.
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Otunba Olafare said, “The choice of Erelu Abiola Dosumu as Chief H.I.D. Awolowo’s replacement for the title was a unanimous decision of the Ife Traditional Council and major stakeholders of the Oodua race.
As they all agreed that her character, personality and her wealth of experience as an international business woman, a royal ambassador and a great icon of the African culture perfectly fit the bill and qualify her to step into the big shoes of the immediate past holder of the prestigious title of ‘Yeye Oodua of the Source’.”
In almost half-a-Century of public life, Erelu has proven herself to be an outstanding woman of stamina, integrity and far-reaching influence. In 1980, late Kabiyesi Adeyinka Oyekan, the Oba of Lagos, installed her as the Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos.
With that appointment, she became the right-hand person of the Oba of Lagos. Since then, she has executed her charge with maturity, sagacity, courage and commitment.
