Huge welcome for Ooni

Ile Ife, the historic town in Osun State, was aglow yesterday as it welcomed home its monarch, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

Ogunwusi will bear the title of Ojaja II. He was named the Ooni on Monday to succeed  Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, who died on July 28.

Ife was in a festive mood. Men, women and children were gaily dressed. Markets and shops were closed.

There were no vehicles on the road. It looked like a public holiday in the ancient town.

Oba Ogunwusi, in immaculate white, arrived at Moro Junction where he had his first stopover, around 1pm.

He proceeded to the Ife-Ibadan toll gate, where many of his subjects joined his motorcade.

The Ooni swept into town in royal splendour, passing through May Fair, Lagere, Iremo, Enuwa, Moore to get to his Agbedegbede Ojaja family compound in the Giesi Ruling House, where he was installed as Sooko.

Ife tradition demands that he should first beSooko (head) of his ruling house before mounting the Ooni stool.

The Ooni was received by the Ife Traditional Council led by the Lowa of Ife, High Chief Joseph Ijaodola, at the Ile-Ife end of the Ibadan expressway.

At the toll gate, Ogunwusi switched cars.

He stood on the open roof of the car to acknowledge cheers from the mammoth crowd.

Before his arrival, all the roads leading to the Ooni Palace, Lagere area, Giesi Ruling House, among others, were filled with his subjects.