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The new Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi will today appear in public for the first time.
The Nation reports that the two local governments in the ancient town – Ife East and Ife Central has ordered closure of all major markets in his honour ahead of his historic home coming.
The councils also ordered that vehicles should not be parked on the roads leading to the Ooni’s Palace. Those abandoned should be removed before the Ooni’s arrival.
On arrival, the Ooni will go to the Giesi Ruling House to be installed as the Sooko because tradition demands that he must first be the Sooko of his family before he mounts the stool.
After his installation as Sooko, the Ooni will head to the Obalufe Palace to perform some rites at the Orunto River inside the palace. From there, he will move to a forest on Ilesa road for another round of rituals.
According to a source, “The Ooni will also go into seclusion in Ilofi for a minimum of 21 days for series of rites and initiations. Though the rites could last 30 days in some circumstances but 21 days may be sufficient. And finally, he would meet an old woman in spirit to receive the power left by Oduduwa. The old woman will give him all the power over the Yoruba race. Then after all these, he will be installed as the Ooni.”
Oba Olajide Ifaloba, the Obadio of Ife and Head of Isoro cult, to which the Ooni must belong, has confirmed that he will arrive in Ife today.
Speaking with reporters in Ife last night, he said the arrangements had been concluded to receive Ogunwusi.
According to him, the Ooni will be received at Ife end of Ife/ Ibadan expressway and will subsequently begin installation rites as demanded by tradition.
Ifaloba said tradition demands that Ooni must enter Ile Ife in the day time after his name had been announced
It was also learnt yesterday that some rites to herald Ooni’s entry into Ife have been concluded.
It was also gathered that the Lowa Eredumi of Ile Ife, Oba Eluyele Olawenu, according to tradition, will officiate at the installation rites.
Ife was calm yesterday and the residents in high spirits as they await the Ooni’s arrival. Strategic areas of the ancient town are being heavily policed.
In a broadcast on an Ife-based private radio station, Crown FM, the palace urged all residents to dress gorgeously to receive Oba Ogunwusi.
The announcement directed markets and shops to remain closed during the period as a mark of honour for the monarch.