Ogunwusi named the new Ooni of Ife

•Oba Ogunwusi

The Osun State government this morning named Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (40) as the Ooni of Ife.

He replaces Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who passed away in July.

Ogunwusi’s appointment was announced by the government at 2:49am.

A statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, reads: “The Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has approved the appointment of Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi of Giesi Ruling House as the new Ooni of Ife.

“This choice follows the completion of the due process by the kingmakers and the communication of their decision to government.”

Ogunwusi was picked 89 days after the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade in London.

Oba Sijuwade passed on after a brief illness on July 28, but his death was confirmed on August 10.

Ogunwusi of the Ojaja Royal compound of Agbedegbede in the Giesi Ruling House, attended The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy.

He went into business and became a property merchant.

His profile on the website of Imperial Homes Mortgage Bank Limited (a subsidiary of GTBank) reads: “Mr. Ogunwusi is a graduate of Accountancy and a certified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and of the Institute of Management.

“He has been involved in engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts locally and abroad for over 11 years.

“He was involved in the development of the Northern Foreshore Estate, Cityscape International Limited’s Buena Vista project in Lekki, Primewaterview Limited’s projects, Westcom Limited’s projects, and the Ajaokuta Steel’s and Delta Steel’s resuscitation projects

Before  Ogunwusi’s selection, there was anxiety in Ile-Ife amid plans by the government to name the Ooni.

There has been heavy security presence in the town since Saturday following Friday’s judgment on a suit challenging the Ooni of Ife 1980 Chieftaincy Declaration.