Behold, All the King’s Women

The English poet, John Keats, was right: a thing of beauty is a joy forever [and] its loveliness increases. For men who have good taste, there is no better beauty in this world than the beauty of women. This is a secret that many men, monarchs especially, have learned the accumulative way. Here, we must throw a salute the way of Oba Adéyeyè Enitàn Ògúnwusi Ojájá II, the extraordinary 51st Ooni of Ife.

Oba Ogunwusi is a dragon among men. This is almost a literal fact, considering how he is living a very brilliant life surrounded by the twinkling stars and enchanting comets that are his wives. While it is easy to debate whether these women number up to 10 or the prime numbers of five or seven, no one can contest the fact that they are all captivatingly lovely. As they should be as one can only expect of an enlightened sovereign.

Among the most notable wives of the king (who are respectfully referred to as Aya Oba) are phoenixes and swans. The most popular swan is naturally the one that gave birth to the heir apparent, Prince Tadenikawo Ogunwusi, not too long ago. She is Olori Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi—incidentally a prophetess. Where others have paved the way for the Ooni with their social networks, the prophetess has used divine connections.

Then there is the one who is reported to be the first wife, if not the number one as per public support: Adebukola Bombata. Rumours say that she has been with the Ooni since 2015, but did not yield a progeny. Then came Zaynab Wuraola Otiti, a Bini lady. With her, things at the Ooni Palace were exciting for a while, but this did not last long

These three are the main wives that have been recorded as Oloris and Aya Obas in the minds of the Ile Ife people. However, there are a few more that folks insist are as close to the heart of Oba Ogunwusi as the Prophetess. Most of these are princesses.

Whatever the case, Oba Ogunwusi has proved his mettle with the women in his harem. Some may have left while others are still around. Nevertheless, the Ooni is, without question, as imperial as the history books tell us that kings used to be.