OONI OF IFE Talks Style, His Life In New Interview

Ooni Of Ife
Ooni Of Ife His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi for Elemdeeliving
Stylish, compassionate, modern, youthful, full of life, inquisitive and more describe the Ooni of Ife. He’s expectedly regal, inquisitive and definitely friendly. If you loved the youthful Ooni Of Ife from afar there’s a huge possibility that after meeting him it would increase a thousandfold- he has that effect on people trust me, he’s uber cool.

You can tell from the quality of conversation with this interesting king how much he knows about a lot of things that matter. He was a successful accountant, real estate developer and entrepreneur before becoming the 51st Ooni when he assumed office in October 26th, 2015. You’d probably never know how much fun the king is until you get to meet him, make no mistake he’s not the easiest person to see especially because he receives guests from far and wide every minute of the day when he’s in the palace and when he’s not, he’s traveling.

Ooni Of Ife
Ooni Of Ife; His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi

The royalty I tagged “easily the most loved king in Nigeria”! Is our first ever cover muse for this shoot. It’s surreal how someone so regal, royal is yet soft, accommodating and instantly makes you feel at ease. I tell you the palace felt like home. No stranger to being in the news, he welcomes you without suspicion though with an inkling a lot flock around for favours or nose for news but he appears to take everything in his stride.

I had decided on the first five personalities to feature for this quarter but I woke up one day in 2018 with the Ooni on my mind as the first cover story (complete with a creative brief)! I laughed at the thought of telling THE Ooni Of Ife to pose for specific shots (you should see the brief) for an interview but after a few back and forth, researching the king, I made a few calls and was well on my way to Ile-Ife with the crew (trust me it wasn’t that simple).

Ooni Of Ife
Ooni Of Ife

Three days later we left the palace cheerful, charged and fulfilled, not every bit of the brief panned out the way I would have wanted (because control freak) but it was humbling to have the busy revered king let us take control of him every time we shot. He’s very stylish too, you can’t miss him matching his embellished staff and crown with different outfits, he has an eye for nice hues and fit, complete with statement fringed hem Aso-Oke sash he’s made a statement piece in different cuts and fabrics. (He wears head-to-toe made in Nigeria by the way)

Ooni Of Ife
His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi

I smile every time I remember Ooni’s face when I mentioned “…touch up your face a bit if you want to” his eyes lit up when he echoed “touch my face? You want to touch my face”!

Ooni Of Ife
His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi

Ooni Of Ife
His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi

Excerpts:

Q – You’re quite the stylish king, understated yet regal who picks out your outfits?

A – I do that myself. No one styles me! That’s who I am. I like to look good, stylish and different in everything I do and that reflects in my unique style and the way I dress.

Q – You’ve managed to make colourful embellished staff and crown standout details in your outfits, whats the idea? How many do you have? 

A – I have quite a lot and they are all made here in Nigeria. I plan to put them up for an exhibition later on in life as a reminder of our tradition, the tradition of Ile-Ife.

Q – How has been an Ooni changed you?

A – I am more guarded, there are things I can’t do, there are a lot of dos and don’ts! I must be the number one cultural ambassador. I have regulations that have to be in tune with tradition.

Q – Have you always known you’d be an OONI at any point (after all a lot of princes never became king)

A – There was a prediction before I was born and to the glory of God, the prediction became a reality. There are several predictions in life that don’t see the light of the day but I think God loves me. It’s the reason why my formative years was properly guarded and guided. It wasn’t my parents that raised me, I was raised by many elders because of the peculiarity of my birth. Kings are born, not made.

Q – Being an Ooni is revered especially because a lot of history is linked back to Ile-Ife, what’s the one thing you’re out to do differently in your time? 

A – Simple, to make tradition meet modernity. Our tradition right now is going into oblivion/extinction, there has to be a renaissance of our heritage, a cultural rebirth. I want to bring the ‘good modernity’/modality which is like the in-thing. It’s important not to lose your heritage, I want to bring that back. I want to set things socially, economically, traditionally amongst others. Those are my watchword for Ife and the Yoruba race.

Q – What are the things you miss? 

A – When I wasn’t king I loved riding horses because my Oriki (praise name) is directly linked to owning horses (Omo Elesin Merindinlogun..) I used to chant this so I told myself when I made money I must buy horses, they are expensive to maintain and to the glory of God, those prayers were answered before I became a king. I have a resort in Lagos on the Island; Inagbe Grand Resorts that was where I started rearing horses before I built the resort. I loved rearing horses as well as well as buying them but when I got to the throne I couldn’t anymore. The Ooni of Ife is ‘Elesin Magun’ meaning we have horses but we cannot ride.

Q – You’re an accountant and also a real estate developer and entrepreneur are you able to still manage these roles in a way or the other

A – Unfortunately, Not at the moment.

Q – So far your reign has been modern, you’re in sync with a lot, Youths love you and vice versa. How do you keep up?

A – It’s natural, I love youths and their vibe. I am passionate about Nigerian youths; male and female, I see myself associated with them. I am an advocate for youthful things.

Q- In January 17th, 2016 you broke a record; the antagonism between Oyo and Ife when you visited the Alaafin, you’re naturally seen as pro-peace and progress, what’s the motive behind this?

A – To make peace in Yoruba land. Ife is the spiritual hub of the Yorubas so it’s very important for everyone in Yoruba land to come together. I’m for peaceful co-existence.

Q – What do you want to be remembered for?

A – Peace. The emancipation of the Yoruba race, progress for Nigerians.

Q – Memorable moments so far as king?

A – Everyday fulfilment, giving people hope by just sitting down and listening to people who never thought they could meet a king. Being in the midst of people.

Q – Any Regrets so far with everything that has happened since becoming king?

A – No one is perfect, I don’t dwell on things.

Q – You have so much energy? How do you cope with the daily happenings in the palace and everything you do daily?

A – It’s the grace of God and passion. I’m very passionate about what I do, I set my mind to what I want to do. I’m very driven

Q – Do you get to sleep at all (with the number of people waiting daily to see Ooni, we had to ask)?

A –  I sleep very little. I have an opportunity I shouldn’t misuse so I’m constantly up attending to things.

Ooni Of Ife
Ooni Of Ife

Ooni Of Ife
Ooni Of Ife

Ooni Of Ife
Ooni Of Ife

Ooni Of Ife
Ooni Of Ife

Ooni Of Ife
Ooni Of Ife

Ooni Of Ife
Ooni Of Ife

Ooni Of Ife
Ooni Of Ife

Credits:

Photography – Agbaji Udoka @smokii_

Assistants – Emmanuel @lifeof_emmanuel, Ella Emeruwah @ruwah_x

Creative Direction – Olamide Olarewaju @elemdeeo

Grooming – Zaron Cosmetics @zaroncosmetics

Strategic Partners – Keexs @keexstribe, Zaron Cosmetics @zaroncosmetics