By John Dike, Osogbo
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and his wife, Olori Mariam Anako Ogunwusi, have formally unveiled their newborn twin princes following the completion of traditional rites prescribed for royal births in Ile-Ife.
The unveiling took place on Friday at the Ile Oodua Palace, Ile-Ife, amid pomp and pageantry, as traditional rulers, government officials, dignitaries, family members and well-wishers gathered to celebrate the latest additions to the Royal House of Oduduwa.
The development was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Media Officer of the Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal, on behalf of the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare.
The ceremony marked the first formal occasion on which the Ooni set his eyes on the twin princes since their birth, in keeping with the ancient traditions governing royal births in Ile-Ife.
According to the palace, the tradition requires the Ooni to observe prescribed rites before seeing a newborn royal child, reflecting the sacred customs and spiritual significance attached to the Ooni’s throne and the ancient city of Ile-Ife, regarded as the source of the Yoruba race.
With the completion of the rites, the long-awaited moment came on Friday when the monarch welcomed and carried his twin sons for the first time, alongside Olori Mariam.
The occasion was characterised by prayers, thanksgiving and celebration, with members of the royal household and invited dignitaries joining the Ooni and his wife to mark the unveiling.
The palace was reportedly filled with excitement as guests celebrated the safe arrival of the princes and witnessed their formal presentation following the conclusion of the traditional processes surrounding their birth.
It would be recalled that the Ooni announced the birth of the twin princes with Olori Mariam on May 15, 2026, describing their arrival as a blessing to the Royal House of Oduduwa.
Nine days later, on May 24, the monarch announced the names of the princes following their naming ceremony.
The first twin, Taiwo, was named Adelowo, Adelanaire, Adejare, Adedunmininu, Ademola, Taiwo, Omo Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
His twin brother, Kehinde, bears the names Adelẹye, Adelanaola, Adejuwon, Adedoyin, Adebola, Kehinde, Omo Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
Friday’s unveiling therefore offered members of the public and the royal family an opportunity to see the faces of the princes for the first time following the completion of the traditional rites.
Among dignitaries who attended the ceremony 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.
The royal celebration was also attended by wives of prominent dignitaries, 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.
The unveiling further underscored the enduring cultural significance attached to royal births in Ile-Ife and the Ooni’s position at the centre of Yoruba traditional heritage.
