The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has been honoured with the distinguished title “Emperor of Yoruba Kings in Africa and the Diaspora” by a coalition of Yoruba traditional rulers based in the Republic of Benin.
The prestigious recognition was presented at the Ile Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife, the ancestral cradle of the Yoruba people, during a royal visit by the leadership of Apapo Oba Yoruba in Africa Diaspora (AOYAD), an association representing Yoruba monarchs across the Republic of Benin and other parts of the African diaspora.
In a statement released on Friday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, the honour was described as a symbolic affirmation of the Ooni’s enduring cultural and spiritual leadership among Yoruba communities around the world.
Speaking on behalf of the visiting monarchs, the President of AOYAD, Adehoumi Kiffouli, who also serves as the King of Illaso Kingdom in the Republic of Benin, said the title was conferred in recognition of the Ooni’s consistent efforts to promote Yoruba identity, unity, and cultural preservation across borders.
Kiffouli described the Ooni as a rallying figure whose leadership continues to inspire Yoruba traditional institutions both within Nigeria and across the diaspora. He noted that through diplomacy, cultural engagement, and spiritual leadership, the Ife monarch has strengthened bonds among Yoruba descendants scattered across Africa and beyond.
According to him, the conferment of the title reflects the deep respect and acknowledgement among Yoruba monarchs in the Republic of Benin for the historical and spiritual position of Ile-Ife as the source of Yoruba civilisation.
He added that the honour was also intended to reaffirm the Ooni’s role as a father figure and unifying symbol for the global Yoruba community, noting that his initiatives have continued to bridge cultural gaps and reinforce shared heritage among Yoruba-speaking peoples.
Responding to the honour, Ooni Ogunwusi expressed profound appreciation to the visiting monarchs and the leadership of AOYAD for what he described as a significant recognition of the collective heritage of the Yoruba race.The revered monarch stated that the title was not merely a personal distinction but a celebration of the enduring legacy and cultural strength of the Yoruba people worldwide.
He emphasised that unity among Yoruba traditional institutions remains critical to preserving cultural identity and advancing socio-economic cooperation among Yoruba communities in Africa and across the diaspora.
The Ooni further stressed that collaboration among traditional rulers would continue to play a vital role in promoting peace, cultural renaissance, and sustainable development within Yoruba-speaking regions.
Offering prayers for peace and prosperity, the monarch assured the visiting rulers of his unwavering commitment to fostering harmony among traditional institutions across Africa while strengthening the global presence and cultural relevance of the Yoruba people.
The royal recognition highlights the expanding cultural diplomacy of the Ooni of Ife and reinforces Ile-Ife’s historic role as the spiritual and cultural source of the Yoruba civilisation.
