In a moment steeped in history, culture, and timeless Yoruba royalty, His Imperial Majesty, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), on Sunday presented a sacred beaded crown to the newly installed Elerin of Erin-Ile, Oba Jimoh Adebowale Adesoye Adetona I.
The ceremonial investiture, hailed as a landmark in the ancient Kwara kingdom, rekindled Erin-Ile’s centuries-old ancestral ties to Ile-Ife — the cradle of the Yoruba people and the spiritual homeland of Oduduwa descendants across the world.
Touching down at the Babatunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin, from Abuja, the Ooni’s convoy proceeded immediately to Erin-Ile, where the revered monarch was received with profound reverence by the new Elerin, his queen, members of the royal household, and an august assembly of traditional rulers.
Leading the delegation of royal fathers from Osun, Ekiti, Kogi, and Kwara states was the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, signifying a rare convergence of Yoruba royalty in honour of Erin-Ile’s enduring heritage.
In a deeply symbolic moment, the Ooni placed the beaded crown upon the head of Oba Adesoye, invoking blessings upon his reign and applauding the people of Erin-Ile for their steadfast commitment to their origin.
“The people of Erin-Ile have consistently upheld the legacy handed down by their forefathers who migrated from Ile-Ife centuries ago.
“You remain one of the few communities outside the South-West that still demonstrate, with pride, your full-blooded Oduduwa heritage. Your loyalty to your root is exemplary, and we are proud of you,” Ooni Ogunwusi said.
The Arole Oduduwa reaffirmed that Erin-Ile’s festivals, oral traditions, spiritual practices, and royal lineage reflect the unmistakable footprint of Ile-Ife, noting that the kingdom descends from Ooni Obalufon Alayemore through Prince Odumasa — the illustrious founder believed to have established Erin-Ile around 1225 AD.
Emotionally moved, the new Elerin of Erin-Ile expressed profound appreciation for the honour bestowed upon his throne and kingdom.
“We are blessed to have Your Majesty as our overall father in Yorubaland. You have never forgotten the people of Erin-Ile,” Oba Adesoye said.
“It is symbolic and significant that you, the custodian of beaded crowns in Yorubaland, are the one presenting this sacred crown. That is our heritage. That is the tradition we will continue to uphold.”
A noted Yoruba settlement within present-day Kwara State, Erin-Ile traces its origins to Prince Odumosa Apaayan, grandson of the legendary Ooni Obalufon Ogbogbodirin (Obalufon I).
Its people have preserved this heritage through the annual Obalufon Festival and a continuous observance of ancestral rites that echo their Ife beginnings.
In recent years, Ooni Ogunwusi has undertaken a broad cultural mission to reconnect Yoruba communities — within and beyond the South-West — to their Oduduwa lineage.
His presentation of beaded crowns to Yoruba monarchs in Kwara forms part of this renaissance, reaffirming unity, shared identity, and the spiritual bonds that tie all Yoruba descendants to the Source, Ile-Ife.
