The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, and his wife, Olori Mariam Anako Ogunwusi, on Friday formally unveiled the faces of their newborn twin princes at the Ile-Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife after the completion of traditional rites associated with royal births.
The ceremony brought together traditional rulers, government officials, dignitaries, members of the royal household, family members and well-wishers who gathered at the palace to celebrate the arrival of the royal twins.
The development was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Media Officer at the Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal, on behalf of the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare.
According to the statement, the ceremony marked the first formal occasion on which the Ooni set his eyes on and carried the twin princes following their birth, in keeping with the traditional practices observed for royal births in Ile-Ife.
The tradition requires the Ooni to observe prescribed rites before setting his eyes on a newborn royal child, reflecting the sacred customs and spiritual significance attached to the throne and royal institution of Ile-Ife.
With the rites completed, the Ooni welcomed his twin sons and carried them for the first time at the palace, alongside Olori Mariam, in a moment that was marked by celebration, prayers and thanksgiving.
The palace was filled with pomp and pageantry as guests joined the royal family in celebrating the safe arrival of the princes, while members of the royal household presented the newborns to invited dignitaries.
The birth of the twins was first announced by the Ooni on May 15, 2026, when he described their arrival with Olori Mariam as a blessing to the Royal House of Oduduwa.
Nine days later, on May 24, the monarch announced the names of the princes following their naming ceremony.
The first twin, Taiwo, was named Adelowo, Adelanaire, Adejare, Adedunmininu, Ademola, Taiwo, Omo Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
The second twin, Kehinde, bears the names Adelẹye, Adelanaola, Adejuwon, Adedoyin, Adebola, Kehinde, Omo Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
Friday’s ceremony subsequently provided the first formal public unveiling of the princes following the completion of the traditional processes surrounding their birth.
Among the dignitaries who attended were former Minister of State for Water Resources, Engr. Bashir Isola Awotorebo, and Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Dr Folashade Arike Ayoade.
Traditional rulers present included the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Dr Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje; the Alayemore of Ido-Osun, Oba Olayinka Jokotola; and the Owa Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adebayo, among others.
The celebration also attracted wives of prominent public figures, including the First Lady of Jigawa State, Hajiya Amina Umar Namadi; wife of former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Chief Mrs Olufunso Amosun; wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Mrs Lilian Oghogho Musa; wife of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi; and wife of the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mrs Catherine Ojo-Adekimi.
The unveiling added another significant moment to the royal family’s celebration of the birth of the twin princes, while highlighting the enduring traditional practices surrounding royal births in Ile-Ife.
