The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has opened up about the remarks and criticisms he faced concerning his marital life before eventually marrying his wives.
Speaking at the inauguration of Ojaja University in Osun State—an event held as part of the activities marking his 10th coronation anniversary—the revered monarch recounted how many people mocked him for being unmarried at the time.
According to the king, some individuals constantly questioned why he remained single and urged him to find a queen.
He said that when he finally did, people shifted to complaining about how frequently the queen accompanied him everywhere. Eventually, that marriage ended, and today he is husband to seven wives.
In his words: “Some of them used to make fun of me, saying, ‘Kabiyesi, why are you single? What is your problem? Go and get a queen.’ 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, He blessed me with seven more. Did I not try?”
The humorous moment drew loud cheers and laughter from three of his wives—Olori Folasade, Olori Ronde, and Olori Temitope—who were present at the event. The Ooni then playfully urged the audience to celebrate them with applause.
The Ooni’s marital journey has often attracted public attention. One of his most prominent unions was with Queen Silekunola Naomi, whom he married in October 2018.
The marriage captured national interest due to Naomi’s background as a young prophetess, making the relationship a unique blend of cultural royalty and Christian ministry.
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However, the marriage later faced challenges, and on December 23, 2021, Queen Naomi announced via Instagram that the relationship had ended, surprising many Nigerians.
The Ooni’s candid reflections during the university event highlighted both the pressures of public scrutiny and the evolving chapters of his personal life.
