Ooni, Olori Mariam Unveil Faces Of New Twin Princes After Traditional Rites
The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and his wife, Olori Mariam Anako Ogunwusi, on Friday formally unveiled the faces of their newborn twin princes following the completion of the traditional rites prescribed for royal births in Ile-Ife.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Senior Media Officer, Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal, on behalf of the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare.
The unveiling took place at the Ile Oodua Palace, Ile-Ife, in an elaborate ceremony attended by royal fathers, government officials, dignitaries, family members and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate with the monarch and his family.
The ceremony marked the first time the Ooni would formally set his eyes on the twin princes since their birth, in accordance with the tradition of the ancient city of Ile-Ife.
According to the tradition of the source of the Yoruba race, the Ooni is required to observe the prescribed traditional rites before setting his eyes on a newborn royal child. The restriction is observed as part of the sacred customs surrounding royal births and the spiritual significance attached to the throne of the Ooni.
Following the completion of the rites, the long-awaited moment came on Friday when the Ooni welcomed and carried his twin sons for the first time at the palace, alongside Olori Mariam.
The occasion was marked by pomp, pageantry and deep cultural symbolism, as the monarch and his wife presented the princes to invited guests and members of the royal household.
The Ooni’s Palace was filled with excitement as dignitaries and traditional rulers joined the royal family in prayers, celebrations and thanksgiving for the safe arrival of the twin princes.
It would be recalled that on May 15, 2026, the Ooni announced the birth of the twin princes with Olori Mariam, describing their arrival as a blessing to the Royal House of Oduduwa. However, on May 24, 2026, the Ooni announced the names of the two princes after their naming ceremony.
The first twin, Taiwo, was named Adelowo, Adelanaire, Adejare, Adedunmininu, Ademola, Taiwo, Omo Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
The second twin, Kehinde, bears the names Adelẹye, Adelanaola, Adejuwon, Adedoyin, Adebola, Kehinde, Omo Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
The Friday ceremony therefore provided an opportunity for the public and members of the royal family to see the faces of the princes following the conclusion of the traditional processes surrounding their birth.
Among dignitaries who graced the occasion were the former Minister of State for Water Resources, Engr. Bashir Isola Awotorebo, and the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Dr Folashade Arike Ayoade.
Traditional rulers at the ceremony included the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Dr Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje; the Alayemore of Ido-Osun, Oba Olayinka Jokotola; and the Owa Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adebayo, among others.
Wives of prominent dignitaries also joined the royal celebration, including the First Lady of Jigawa State, Hajiya Amina Umar Namadi; wife of former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Chief Mrs Olufunso Amosun; wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Mrs Lilian Oghogho Musa; wife of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi; and wife of the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mrs Catherine Ojo-Adekimi.
