In a rare gathering of Yoruba traditional rulers in Ile-Ife on Friday, 22nd of July, the Ooni of Ife, HRM Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, who was joined by 25 traditional rulers across Yoruba land officially installed Princess Abiola Dosumu as the ‘Queen Mother, Yeye Oodua’ of Yoruba land.
The event was an opportunity for the Yoruba people’s cultural display and exhibition of pomp and pageantry to be on display.
The Ooni in a brief remark at the occasion renewed his unending call for love and unity of all descendants of Oduduwa, noting that such gesture will further enhance the prosperity of the Yoruba people.
Ooni Ogunwusi, who is the Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, made the call at the Ile Nla auditorium of his Palace in Ile-Ife while installing Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos, Erelu Princess Abiola Dosumu, as the Yeye Oodua and Queen Mother of the House of Oduduwa.
The Ooni urged Oduduwa descendants to be united even as they respect one another’s stance on politics, religion and others to build peace and attract development across the land.
Justifying the choice of Erelu Dosumu, the Ooni said, “It was the unanimous decision of the Ife Traditional Council and major stakeholders of the Oodua race that Princess Dosumu be made to succeed the highly revered late Chief Mrs Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo as the Yeye Oodua.”
The Ooni stressed further,” Erelu Dosumu’s choice was made very easy because of her character, personality and her wealth of experience as an international business woman, a royal ambassador and a great icon of the African culture, which perfectly qualify her to step into the big shoes earlier wore by late Chief Mrs HID Awolowo as the immediate past Yeye Oodua.
“In almost half-a-Century of her public life, Erelu Dosumu 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 this appointment, she became the right hand person of the late Oba of Lagos. Since then, she has executed her charge with maturity, sagacity, courage and commitment. Indeed, since then, the beautiful and ageless Queen mother has become an enviable cultural Face of Lagos; with her traditional allure and ageless charm.”
In her speech at the occasion, the newly crowned Yeye Oodua expressed profound appreciation to the Ooni, Ife indigenes and to the entire Oduduwa Race worldwide for the honour done her and her family with the highly exalted Chieftaincy title. She promised to work assiduously for the preservation of the Yoruba culture and strengthen the unity of members of the Oduduwa race globally.
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She said, “I am honoured to be recognised by the Arole Oodua and being singled out among the great and deserving women of our time. This is a huge responsibility and I strongly believe that during my time, I will work assiduously to preserve our culture and strengthen the unity of Yoruba land. I am grateful for the prayers and the huge turnout of friends and family members, who came from far and near for this important occasion of my installation as the new Yeye Oodua.”
The Orangun of Oke-IIa, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, who spoke to Trumpet Palace Watch immediately after the event in Ile-Ife, said, “I am very impressed that there was a large turnout of young men and women who today graced this occasion. The installation of Erelu Dosumu is an attestation to the fact that quality leadership and character are what anyone requires to get to any position in life.
The Oba stressed that from what the youths observed today at this event, it is clear to them that their time has come as the present set of leaders and Obas will not be alive forever.
For example, 50 years ago, I never dreamt of becoming the Orangun of Oke-Ila, I was nobody then. So is the case with many Obas here today. We will all at some point in our journey through life, pass on, the youths of today will eventually take over our various positions”, he concluded.
The installation ceremony was attended by prominent personalities across the country, especially notable Yoruba traditional rulers, which include the Orangun of Ile-Ila, Oba Wahab Oyedotun, Oore of Otun Ekiti, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, Alayemore of Ido-Osun, Oba Adedapo Aderemi, Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, Olofin of Isheri Awori, Oba Adekunle Bamgbade, Olota of Ota-Awori, Oba(Prof) Adeyemi Obalanlege, Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Adewole Adebayo, Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, Alara of Ilara-Epe, Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, Olowa of Igbara-Oke, Obaro of Kabba, Oba Solomon Awoniyi, Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, Aladeshonyin of Odo Noforija Ọba Babatunde Ogunlaja, Olugbon of Ile-Igbon, Oba Olusola Alao, Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejinmi Alagbado, and many others too numerous to mention.
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