In a grand and historic ceremony on Saturday, May 24, 2025, the Natural Head of the Yoruba race and Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, crowned Oba Olayinka Isola Jokotade Ilufemiloye II as the 47th Olojudo-Alayemore of Ido-Osun in Osun State.
The coronation, held in Ido-Osun, attracted a distinguished gathering of traditional rulers, political leaders including Osun State Governor Senator Ademola Jackson Adeleke, community leaders, and proud sons and daughters of Ido-Osun from Nigeria and the diaspora. The event was not only a royal enthronement but also a vibrant celebration of Yoruba heritage and culture, reaffirming the deep historical ties between Ile-Ife—the cradle of Yoruba civilization—and Ido-Osun.
Hon. Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the Coronation Planning Committee and member of the National House of Representatives, described the occasion as a cultural renaissance. He expressed confidence that the youthful Oba Ilufemiloye II’s energy and intellect would propel Ido-Osun’s development. “We are committed to working hand in hand with His Majesty to ensure monumental progress in our town,” Salam said, urging the new monarch to uphold justice, fairness, and prioritize infrastructural development.
Governor Adeleke, who personally attended the ceremony, congratulated the new king and praised the traditional rulers of Osun State for adhering to time-honored customs during the selection process. He called for unity and reconciliation among the people of Ido-Osun, urging the monarch to serve as a father figure to all and encouraging citizens to maintain peace and contribute to the state’s growth.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Olayinka Ilufemiloye II expressed heartfelt gratitude to Governor Adeleke for his unwavering support. He pledged to make Ido-Osun a beacon of hope, focusing on education, healthcare, and international development to eradicate poverty. “Let us work together as one family. Forward ever, backward never,” he declared.
The new monarch also praised the Ooni of Ife for his exemplary leadership of the Yoruba traditional institution, dismissing critics who challenge the Ooni’s supremacy. “There is no Yoruba man, town, or kingdom without Ile-Ife as its origin. Respect Ooni to be respected,” Oba Ilufemiloye II emphasized.
The ceremony’s pinnacle was when Ooni Ogunwusi personally placed the crown on Oba Ilufemiloye II’s head, officially installing him as the 47th Olojudo-Alayemore and a member of the Osun State Council of Obas and Chiefs. The Ooni acknowledged Governor Adeleke’s efforts to develop Osun State and support traditional institutions.
The coronation marks a new chapter for Ido-Osun, blending tradition with transformation under the wise and divinely empowered leadership of Oba Olayinka Ilufemiloye II. The event was a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of Yoruba culture and the unity of its people.
