The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has spoken openly about the public pressure and criticism he endured before getting married.
During the launch of his Ojaja University in Osun State, the monarch recalled how people frequently questioned his bachelor status and urged him to find a queen.
He said many used to tease him, asking, “Kabiyesi, why are you single? What is your problem? Go and look for a queen now.”
He noted that although he eventually married, he was later criticized for giving too much attention to his first wife.
The Ooni explained that his first queen eventually left, but by God’s grace, he later married seven more wives.
“Eventually I got another queen by force by fire. Then they said, ‘You are always going around with this queen.’ The queen left me. To the glory of God, God blessed me with seven more. Did I not try?” he joked.
His remarks came during events marking the 10th anniversary of his coronation, where he also inaugurated Ojaja University.
Three of his current wives Olori Folasade, Olori Ronde, and Olori Temitope were present and responded with laughter and applause as he spoke.
Oba Ogunwusi also reflected on his 2018 marriage to Queen Silekunola Naomi, a union that attracted attention for blending traditional royalty with Christian beliefs. The marriage ended in 2021 when Naomi publicly announced their separation, underscoring the monarch’s challenges in balancing public expectations with his private life.
The Ooni’s candid comments highlight his journey from facing public criticism to building a large royal family as he celebrates a decade on the throne.
