Ten months after Ooni’s third marital crisis which led to the separation from his then wife, Queen Naomi in December 2021, the monarch responded loudly with marriage to six new wives; an action that sparked lots of talks across the nation. In a generation that is enlightened – WOKE as the slang is amongst millenials and Gen Zs in Nigeria, the question on most people’s lips is, “who are these women, who have subjected themselves to share a man, when they weren’t forced?”
Who are these women and what are the things to know about them?
Mariam Anako
Mariam got married to the king on September 6, 2022, as his first wife. She hails from Kogi State, a native of the Ebira ethnic group. Mariam was raised in a family of affluence , who are also politically connected. Having lost her dad at a young age, she was raised in the home of former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko. Her mother is a retired police officer.
Her elder sister, Medina Anako is a lawyer, businesswoman, and also Special Adviser on Intergovernmental Affairs and Kogi State Diaspora Focal Point Officer (DFPO) to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.
Her other older sibling, Mrs Raliat Abdulrahman nee Anako is a Special Adviser to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila.
Until her marriage, Mariam had worked as an administrative manager at Nestoil Limited- an oil company also into engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning.
Elizabeth Akinmudai
Few weeks after the Ooni’s marriage to Mariam Akano, he took in another wife by the name Elizabeth Akinmudai. There aren’t many details about Elizabeth Opeoluwa Akinmuda at the moment, but, according to the report, sources close to the palace Elizabeth is a native of Ondo City in Ondo State and an IT executive based in Glasgow, Scotland. She is a close friend of Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation, and is thought to be in her mid-30s. Her marriage to the king took place in Magodo, Lagos State
Tobiloba Philips
It seems the Ooni has a thing for ladies from Ondo State, as his 3rd wife, Tobi Philips is a native of Ondo State, Okitipupa to be precise. She is a top model and former World Miss University Nigeria. She was born on June 4, 1992. On October 9, 2022, Tobiloba Philips officially and ceremonially became the 3rd wife of the King,
Before now, the new Queen had been seriously dating the king for about 6 years. The two were almost married after the Oba separated from his wife, Olori Wuraola, who he has since divorced in 2018. Unfortunately, the marriage never saw the daylight as the Ooni married Prophetess Silekunola Naomi Ogunwusi, who bore him his heir.
Tobi runs a popular fashion label known as QTP Luxury Fashion and also runs a 3D artist since 2018.
Ashley Adegoke
The King yet again tied the knot with another woman, Ashley Adegoke on October 14th, 2022 at the Palace of the Ooni. Ashley Adegoke is a princess from Ile-Ife, who hails from the royal lineage of Lafogido ruling house, Adagba compound; one of the four ruling houses in Ile – Ife, Osun State.
She holds a master’s degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Greenwich, United Kingdom. She is a member of Association for Accounting Technician, and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in the UK.
She is also the founder of Ashley Adegoke Foundation, a charity organisation established to help improve the lives of the underprivileged.
Ashley Adegoke, a single mom of one from her previous marriage, was based in London before relocating to Ile Ife. It was reported that Princess Ashley isn’t a new entrant at the palace as she has been an old-time friend of the monarch.
Ronke Ademiluyi
Princess Ronke is the most popular of all the new wives of the king. This is largely due to her role in the fashion Industry in Nigeria and the UK. She is the founder of Africa Fashion Week London, rated as one of the UK’S most significant annual fashion events that promote and nurture African and African-inspired design talent.
On Thursday, October, 20, 2022, Ronke got married to the monarch. Ronke was born in England, and is the great-granddaughter of the 48th Ooni of Ife, Ajagun Ademiluyi.
Temitope Adesegun
On Monday, 24th of October 2022, the Ooni of Ife was tied in marriage to Princess Temitope Morenikeji Adesegun. She is a princess from Adesegun Ibipe Royal Dynasty of Ago-Iwoye in Ijebu North LG of Ogun State.
She is the CEO of Hopes Alive Initiatives (HAI), an initiative powered by the House of Odua inspired by the Ooni.
The well-read queen has a Diploma in Linguistics, Diploma in Data Processing, and Bsc in Business Administration, all from the University of Lagos.
She is a certified alumnus of several universities, including the University of Oxford, United Kingdom; INSEAD Business School, Fontainebleau, France; University of Cambridge, Judge Business School, United Kingdom; and Harvard Kennedy School of Government in the United States.
Under Governor Raji Fasola’s administration, she presented a Public Health Advocacy Program called ‘Health-Wise’ , in conjunction with Lagos State Ministry of Health aired for four years.
Would there be more wives?
Reports are making rounds that the Ooni is set to marry a seventh wife, Aridunu.The Royal wedding is slated for the 29th of October.
According to popular media house, gistlover, the Ooni would have to marry 13 wives before an allotted time.
The Ooni’s palace is yet to verify or deny the claim.