House of Oduduwa: Erelu Kuti Replaces HID Awolowo as Yeye Oodua and Queen Mother

By Yinka Fagbile

The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwunsi, on Friday, installed Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, the Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos, as the Yeye Oodua and Queen Mother of the House of Oduduwa. By this feat,  Erelu Dosunmu has, therefore, succeeded late Mrs. HID Awolowo, wife of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo who last held the title.

The coronation and installation ceremony which was held at Ile Nla Auditorium, Arole Oodua Palace, Ile Ife, also witnessed calls by the traditional ruler on the need for Yoruba sons and daughters to close ranks, and display love, and unity towards one another irrespective of their religious and political leanings.

In a release by Otunba Moses Olafare,  Director of Media and Public Affairs to the Ife palace, Ooni Ogunwusi justified the emergence of Erelu Kuti, adding that it was a unanimous decision of the Ife Traditional Council and major stakeholders of the Oodua race, citing character, personality and wealth of experience of Erelu Dosunmu Abiola.

The statement read in part, "... the Ooni said It is a unanimous decision of the Ife Traditional Council and major stakeholders of Oodua race, agreeing that her character, personality and her wealth of experience as an international business woman, a royal ambassador and a great icon of the African culture perfectly qualify her to step into the big shoes earlier worn by late Chief Mrs. HID Awolowo as the immediate past Yeye Oodua".

"In almost half-a-Century of public life, Erelu Dosumu has proven herself to be an outstanding woman of stamina, integrity, and far-reaching influence. In 1980 late Kabiyesi Adeyinka Oyekan, the Oba of Lagos installed her as the Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos. With that appointment, she became the right-hand person of the Oba of Lagos. Since then, she has executed her charge with maturity, sagacity, courage, and commitment. Indeed since then, the beautiful and ageless Queen mother has become an enviable cultural Face of Lagos; its traditional allure and ageless charm." Ooni said.

In response to the honor done to her, the newly crowned Yeye Oodua in her thank you speech expressed delight in her emergence. She thanked the Ooni Ogunwusi specially and other traditional rulers and stakeholders of the Yoruba race for singling her out among many other qualified women in Yorubaland, adding that she would work and commit to strengthening Yoruba unity while ensuring the preservation of her cultural heritage globally.

According to the statement, "the cultural event was attended by prominent personalities across the country... notable Yoruba traditional rulers including the Orangun of Ile-Ila, Oba Wahab Oyedotun

Oore of Otun Ekiti, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, Alayemore of Ido-Osun, Oba Adedapo Aderemi, Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, Olofin of Isheri Awori and Oba Adekunle Bamgbade. 

Others include; Olota of Ota-Awori, Oba(Prof) Adeyemi Obalanlege, Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Adewole Adebayo, Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, Alara of Ilara-Epe, Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, Olowa of Igbara-Oke, Obaro of Kabba, Oba Solomon Awoniyi, Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, Aladeshonyin of Odo Noforija Ọba Babatunde Ogunlaja, Olugbon of Ile-Igbon, Oba Olusola Alao, Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejinmi Alagbado, and many others", Olafare said.