• Ooni Ogunwusi
The Ooni-elect, Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi, would arrive in Ile-Ife today. He had met with the traditional chiefs in Ibadan, Oyo State and would be received at the Ife end of the expressway.
Tradition demands that an Ooni-designate must enter Ile-Ife in the daytime after his name had been announced and there would be no curfew during the period, although security will be tight.
As stated by sources around the Oodua, some rites that would herald the entry of an Ooni-designate into Ile-Ife had been concluded already.
Although the Oba Isoro, Oba Eluyele Olawenu, the Owa Eredumi of Ile Ife, who, according to the tradition, would handle the installation rites of the monarch, told journalists that only the oracle (ifa) could determine the best time for him to enter the town.
An impeccable source confirmed that Prince Ogunwusi had already left Lagos for Ibadan yesterday, adding that the kingmakers had handed over further actions on the matter to Obadio (the head of Isoro Cult).
As stated by the tradition, the Ooni belongs to Isoro Cult and manages its affairs with the help of Obadio, the head of all deities in the town.
Members of Isoro Cult had held a crucial meeting to determine the pattern which the installation rites would take, following the approaching Olojo Festival.
Commenting on the presence of the security men in the area, Sooko Adegbaju Adeyinka, said the family had been under watch even before the announcement of the new king.
Meanwhile, Ile-Ife is in high spirits ahead of the arrival of the Ooni-elect.
As stated by an announcement aired by an Ile-Ife-based private radio station, Crown FM, and monitored in Osogbo yesterday, the palace urged all residents to dress gorgeously to receive Prince Ogunwusi.
The announcement indicated that markets and shops must remain closed during the period as a mark of honour for the new monarch.