Mariam Anako, the new wife of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, late on Tuesday arrived at the palace of the monarch in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The new wife was ushered into the palace after brief rites at the entrance to the premises.
She was thereafter led into the inner court of the palace to meet her husband and other guests waiting to receive her.
Oba Ogunwusi in a video shared on the Facebook page of his spokesperson, Moses Olafare, around 10:30 pm on Tuesday, was assisted by chiefs and close aides, in welcoming the new wife into the palace.
Also, Ooni elder brother, Sooko Adegboyega Ogunwusi, and the monarch’s other siblings were also mentioned by the compere at the ceremony as being present.
During the ceremony, Anako’s relations from Ebiraland in Kogi State and Ilorin in Kwara State were also present and they took turn to greet Ooni.
The new wife was coming into the palace about 10 months after Naomi Silekunola, the last wife of the monarch left him.
Specifically, Naomi announced separation with the monarch on Thursday, December 23, 2021, thus ended a marriage that produced a son, Tadenikawo, and lasted about 3 years.
Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, could not be reached for further comment on Wednesday as calls to his line rang out.
The PUNCH reports that Naomi announced her separation from the monarch through an Instagram post in December 2021.
She had also renounced the title of a ‘Queen’, saying she tried to make the three-year union work but the Ooni’s public identity is at variance with “his true self”.
After the split between 47-year-old Ooni and Naomi, many Yoruba monarchs and elders including the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, tried to reconcile the estranged couple but the peace talks did not yield results.
Before being coronated king, the Ooni was previously married to Adebukola Bombata in 2008 but the marriage failed. As a monarch, the Ooni married Edo-born Zaynab-Otiti Obanor in 2016 but the union lasted for 17 months before their separation.
He later married Silekunola in 2018 and the marriage produced a son before the divorce announcement in December.
The monarch also had a daughter with Omolara Olatubosun as a teenager. Olatubosun gave birth to Princess Adeola Ogunwusi but recently, there have been counter-claims between the Ooni and Olatubosun over who was responsible for the upbringing of their daughter.
Aside from the Ooni, other traditional rulers who had experienced divorce known to the public include the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, whose marriage to his Jamaican wife, Ms Chanel Chin, crashed in December 2019. Also, Anuoluwapo Adeyemi, one of the wives of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi III, parted ways with him in November 2020.
FAQs
The new wife was coming into the palace about 10 months after Naomi Silekunola, the last wife of the monarch left him. Specifically, Naomi announced separation with the monarch on Thursday, December 23, 2021, thus ended a marriage that produced a son, Tadenikawo, and lasted about 3 years.
Is Ooni married to a new wife? ›
In September 2022, he married his first Olori, Mariam Anako, nine months after Olori Naomi, his ex-wife, confirmed the end of their three-year marriage. A few hours later, the Ooni married Elizabeth Opeoluwa Akinmuda in Magodo, Lagos.
What happened between Ooni of Ife and Queen Naomi? ›
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and estranged queen Naomi Silekunola are back on good terms. The queen moved out of the world of the revered king in 2021 when she packed out of the palace in defiance of culture and tradition. She left with the fruit of the marriage – a prince.
Is Queen Naomi still married to Ooni? ›
The queen announced her separation from the Ooni, confirming that her three-year marriage to the monarch had ended in December 2021. In her post on Instagram, the former Olori said she shall no longer be referred to as wife to the Ooni of Ife or as Queen of Ile-Ife but as the Queen of the people.
Who is Mariam Anako? ›
Until her marriage to Ooni, Mariam is said to be working as an administrative manager in an oil and gas firm that is also into engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning. Mariam kneels before Ooni to receive his blessings. Mariam is from the Ebira ethnic group in Kogi State.
Who did OONI marry his sixth wife? ›
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, on Monday tied the knot with a princess from Ijebu, Temitope Adesegun. The marital rites were performed at a ceremony in Magodo, Lagos. With the marital rites, Olori Temitope becomes the sixth wife to marry the Ooni of Ife in two months.
Why is Ooni of Ife marrying many wives? ›
Another reason why the Ooni might be marrying many wives is, it is against Yoruba culture for the Ooni of Ife to just have one wife. He can also divorce any woman he finds disrespectful. It is believed that one wife might become too proud and might even try to usurp authority from him.
Where is Naomi silekunola from? ›
Olori Naomi come from Akure, di capital of Ondo State.
Who is Ooni's first wife? ›
Before he was crowned Ooni, he had married Adebukola Bombata in 2008. Ooni had a daughter, Adeola Aanuoluwapo Ogunwusi, in 1994 from his former wife, Omolara Olatunbosun. The marriage crashed over unresolved issues. After becoming the Ooni, Oba Ogunwusi married Zaynab Otiti-Obanor from Edo State on March 16, 2016.
How many children did Ooni of Ife have? ›
Before assuming the throne, Ooni of Ife was thriving in the corporate world, working as a certified accountant and doing business in the real estate industry. He became king in December 2015. The rule is married to six wives and has two children.
She was the first and the only female paramount ruler of Ile-ife known to be the origin of Yoruba ethnic group in southwestern Nigeria, succeeding Ooni Giesi and succeeded by Ooni Lumobi. Ooni Luwoo's reign remains the only one by a female in Ife to date.
What happened to Ooni of Ife Palace? ›
The fire was triggered by a power surge which caused some electrical appliances to explode. A building in the palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has been razed down by fire, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.
Who is Olori Naomi? ›
Queen Olori Silekunola Moronke Naomi Ogunwusi is a Nigerian model, prophetess and evangelist. She was the Olori of Ile-Ife and the former wife of Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
Who is the wife of Mariam OONI? ›
The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Tuesday night, married a new wife Olori Mariam Anako. The new bride, who hails from Kogi State, is a top management executive (Administrative Manager) of Nestoil Limited. The new Olori was unveiled on Tuesday upon arrival at the monarch's palace in Ile Ife in Osun State.
Who is Olori Tobiloba? ›
Biography Olori Tobiloba Phillips-Ogunwusi (born 1992), simply known as Olori Tobi Phillips-Ogunwusi, is a successful fashion entrepreneur, model, and 3D artist.…
Who is the 4th wife of OONI? ›
October 15, (THEWILL) – Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, has finally married his fourth wife, Princess Ashley Adegoke, in a traditional wedding on Friday. This development is coming a few weeks after the monarch married his third wife, Tobi Philips, in a quiet traditional ceremony.
How many children does Ooni have? ›
Profile summary
| Full name | Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi |
|---|
| Relationship status | Married |
| Partners | 6 |
| Children | 2 |
| School | Layola College Ibadan, St Peter's Secondary School |
19 more rowsMar 3, 2023
