Ile-Ife, Osun State — The ancient city of Ile-Ife was filled with celebration as His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and his senior wife, Her Majesty Queen (Olori) Mariam Ajibola Ogunwusi, held a grand traditional naming ceremony for their newborn twin princes at the Ooni’s Palace.
Queen Mariam welcomed the twin boys in May 2026. The formal naming rites and public presentation of the infants took place in a colourful ceremony that drew members of the royal household, traditional chiefs, family members, other queens of the palace, and well-wishers.
During the ceremony, traditional Yoruba naming rites were observed. Symbolic items including bananas, beans, kola nuts, bitter kola, sugarcane, gin, water, cash and dried fish were presented for prayers and blessings over the children. An elder announced the names, beginning with the first twin (Taiwo) followed by the second (Kehinde).
The older prince was named Prince Adelowo Adelanaire Adejare Adedunmininu Ademola Taiwo, while the younger was named Prince Adeleye Adelanaola Adejuwon Adedoyim Adebola Kehinde. Both carry the full designation “Omo Ooni Adeyeye Ojaja II.”
The Ooni, seated in full beaded regalia on a gold throne beneath a tent draped in purple and white, expressed gratitude to Olodumare for the safe delivery of the twins and the good health of both mother and children. He described the arrival of the twin princes as a special blessing to the royal household and the entire House of Oduduwa.
Among those in attendance were fellow queens of the palace, including Olori Aderonke, Olori Temitope and Olori Ashley, as well as traditional chiefs and members of the extended royal family. The event featured traditional music, cultural performances and the formal presentation of the infants, who were carried in white outfits by women in elaborate headwraps.
The birth and subsequent naming ceremony mark another joyful chapter for the Ooni, who married Olori Mariam, an indigene of Kogi State with a background in the oil and gas sector, in 2022. The monarch prayed that the twin princes would grow in wisdom, strength and good health, and become worthy custodians of Yoruba cultural heritage.
Footage from the palace celebrations has circulated widely on social media, capturing the regal atmosphere and the joy surrounding the newest additions to the House of Oduduwa.
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