By Sola Ojewusi
The ancient city of Ile-Ife, revered as the cradle of the Yoruba race, has been thrown into mourning following the passing of Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi, the respected elder brother of His Imperial Majesty, Ọọ̀ni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, CFR, the 51st Ooni of Ife.
The news of Prince Adetunji’s transition has elicited an outpouring of grief from traditional institutions, political leaders, cultural organisations, friends, and admirers across Nigeria and beyond, as tributes continue to celebrate a prince remembered for his dignity, humility, and unwavering commitment to the illustrious House of Oduduwa.
Born into the renowned Giesi Ruling House of the Ogunwusi Royal Family, Prince Adetunji belonged to one of the foremost royal lineages in Yoruba history. Long before his younger brother ascended the revered throne in 2015, Prince Adetunji had established himself as a respected member of the royal household whose devotion to the heritage and traditions of Ile-Ife was never in doubt. He was among the princes who exercised their legitimate right to contest the Ooni’s stool during the succession process that eventually produced Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, a development that reflected the openness of the royal selection tradition rather than division within the family.
Following the historic emergence of Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi as the Ooni of Ife, Prince Adetunji remained a loyal pillar of support to the throne and the royal family, embracing the collective responsibility of preserving the cultural and spiritual heritage of the ancient kingdom. Those who knew him describe him as a calm, gracious, and deeply cultured prince who carried the values of royalty with quiet elegance.
His passing represents not only a profound personal loss to the Ooni but also a painful moment for the Ogunwusi Royal Family, whose contributions to the growth and prestige of the ancient kingdom have remained significant for generations. It is also a moment of sorrow for the people of Ile-Ife, where the bonds of family, royalty, and community remain inseparable.
As messages of condolence continue to pour in, sympathisers have prayed for divine strength for His Imperial Majesty during this difficult period. Many have noted that while kings are symbols of courage and resilience, they too experience the pain of losing cherished family members.
In a condolence message, mourners expressed their heartfelt sympathy to the Ooni, the Ogunwusi Royal Family, the House of Oduduwa, and the entire people of Ile-Ife, praying that Almighty God grants them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
Though Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi has departed this earthly realm, his memory will endure in the hearts of those who knew him and in the history of a royal family whose legacy continues to shape the cultural identity of the Yoruba people. His life stands as a reminder that beyond the splendour of royalty are men and women whose greatest inheritance is service, family, and honour.
As Ile-Ife mourns one of its distinguished princes, prayers rise that the Almighty grants Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi eternal rest, comforts the bereaved family, and strengthens His Imperial Majesty, Ọọ̀ni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, as he leads his people through this season of grief.
May the gentle soul of Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi rest in perfect peace.
