Not Yet a Wedding Bell for Oba Ogunwusi!

Since his celebrated marriage to beautiful Olori Wuraola crashed, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has been linked to several ladies. Though the revered monarch has always denied any romantic affair with any of the ladies, it seems he will have to contend with such tales for a long time to come. Reason: many beautiful ladies are practically throwing themselves at him.

In the past months, a number of women have reportedly tried to outsmart one another in the bid to worm their ways into his heart, but none could be said to have been successful.

Sometime ago, a fair-complexioned lady, Abishine, who posed for a photograph with him was mistakenly touted to be the replacement for Wuraola. At that time, many had said that the Ojaja had even paid the bride price to her parents in Abeokuta, Ogun State. But this was quickly dismissed as a wicked rumour.

Also, another lady touted to be the next Olori was Bolanle Emmanuelle Ropo. But she later came out to deny the claim.

As if that was not enough, it was once rumoured that the dark-skinned royal father planned to take one 27-year-old Tobi Philips, a top model and former beauty queen, as the next Olori.

Yet again, just last week, the rumour mill was agog with the story of his romance and possible marriage to the co-convener of Hope Alive Temitope Adesegun.

But as soon as the story hit the street, it was refuted by people very close to the Oba, saying, “It was sponsored by some unscrupulous elements. It is nothing but an element of farce and falsehood.’’

Also, Prince Jide Fadairo, CEO, House of Oduduwa Foundation and husband of Princess Folasade, the monarch’s eldest sister, described it as a fairy tale taken too far.

“Ooni’s marriage cannot be done secretly; it involves not only the Royal family, but also the Yoruba custom and a lot of elders. Our tradition is to be taken into cognizance. Please, dismiss the story; it is fake news.

“That is not on His Imperial Majesty’s mind. Marriage is not something he wants to do right away. Many names have been bandied around, but I can tell you the time is not propitious for the monarch, who is immersed in the renaissance of Yoruba culture and promotion of the race’s customs and traditions globally,” he said.

Another confidant and friend of the Ooni, Muyiwa Leroy Afolabi, said: “Kabiyesi will carry every Ile-Ife’s son and daughter along whenever it’s time to pick another Olori (Queen) for us. Let’s always verify the fact before sharing it.”\