Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, moved to Ilofi, where he would remain for 21 days for series of rituals, rites and initiations

The people of Ile-Ife are still in a festive mood as the Ooni, Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, moved to Ilofi, where he would remain for 21 days for series of rituals, rites and initiations as demanded by tradition. The family house in Giesi Royal compound at Wanikin and his father’s house on NTA Road, Mukoro, were beehives of activities as people kept calling to congratulate relatives. Commercial activities, which were suspended to welcome the Ooni into town on Wednesday, resumed in full swing. Shops and markets as well as banks were opened to customers. Ogunwusi is expected to be installed the 51st Ooni after the conclusion of the rituals and rites at the Ilofi.  The Ooni, according to tradition, will be at the Ilofi in the Ile Oduduwa, few meters away from the Ooni’s Palace at Enuwa. It was gathered that the Ooni left his private house for Ilofi at 2.30 pm yesterday amid very tight police security. He was said to have been led by the Isoros, kingmakers, traditional chiefs and security personnel in a convoy. A source said: “The Ooni has just left his house for Ilofi for the performance of certain traditional rites before he can be crowned. He is expected to be there for 21 days. “He won’t come out again and nobody will see him after today until after 21 days. Before the Ooni left for Ilofi, he has received a team of Isoros, kingmakers and traditional chiefs in his house and they had a discussion with them, which no one can say.” It was gathered that only the Isoros are permitted by tradition to stay with the new king at Ilofi throughout the 21-day period. Before Ogunwusi’s entrance yesterday, the Isoro cult members had embarked on certain pre- traditional rights that must be done. Though security operatives are not allowed to enter Ilofi, they must stay within the environment to provide security for the Ooni. The source, who preferred not to be named because of the sensitive nature of the information, also revealed that Prince Ogunwusi was in high spirits and obviously excited.