The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has opened up about the personal hardships he endured after ascending the throne, including prolonged criticism and pressure over his delayed parenthood. Speaking to visitors who gathered at the palace to celebrate the birth of twin princes to his wife, Queen Mariam, the monarch said he was subjected to open mockery during the years he struggled to expand his family.
“I thank God today. There is nothing God cannot do,” Oba Ogunwusi said, expressing gratitude for the newest addition to the royal household. He reflected that, unlike his expectations growing up, tradition and the responsibilities of the Ooni’s throne led him to take multiple wives—a factor that complicated his efforts to father children.
The king recounted that soon after his coronation he faced intense pressure to fulfil royal marital obligations, a pressure that compounded the personal challenges of fatherhood. He disclosed that attempts were made, with the involvement of senior traditional rulers and other influential figures, to persuade an ex‑wife to relocate to Ile‑Ife; the plan, however, never materialised.
Ogunwusi also recalled becoming a father for the first time at 19, describing the experience as “one of the most challenging periods” of his life. He credited his mother for keeping him focused and his late mother‑in‑law, the First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for providing steady encouragement, likening her support to that of a mother’s.
The palace’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, released the statement on Saturday in Ile‑Ife. Visitors included members of the Ife Muslim community, representatives of the Hausa community, traditional rulers from Ife North and the Giesi ruling house, business leaders and cultural groups. The Chief Imam of Ifeland, Alhaji Abdulsemiu Abdulhammed, praised the occasion, noting that childbirth is a divine blessing and urging gratitude for the twins’ arrival.
The Ooni thanked the assembled guests for their prayers, love and unwavering support, and conveyed the twins’ mother’s thanks to all who have stood by the royal family. The birth underscores the personal resilience of the traditional ruler and highlights the continuing relevance of royal institutions in contemporary Nigerian society.
