The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II has appointed Erelu Abiola Dosumu as the Yeye Oodua and Queen Mother of the House of Oduduwa.
Dosumu, who is the Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos, replaces the Late Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, who died on 19 September 2015. HID Awolowo, as she was well known, was the wife of the elder statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
According to a media statement signed by the Media and Public Affairs Director of Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, it took the Royal Court of Ife almost seven years to announce a successor because of the numerous achievements of the immediate past Yeye Oodua, especially in the areas of human development and capacity building, preservation of the prestigious Yoruba culture as well as sustenance of peace and tranquility across Yoruba land among others.
The statement reads: “The choice of Erelu Abiola Dosumu is indeed n unanimous decision of the Ife Traditional Council and major stakeholders of Oodua race, agreeing that her character, personality and her wealth of experience as an international business woman, a royal ambassador and a great icon of the African culture perfectly qualify her to step into the big shoes earlier worn by late Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo as the immediate past Yeye Oodua.
“In almost half-a-century of public life, Erelu Dosumu has proven herself to be an outstanding woman of stamina, integrity and far-reaching influence. In 1980, Kabiyesi Adeyinka Oyekan, the Oba of Lagos, installed her as the Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos. With that appointment, she became the right hand person of the Oba of Lagos. Since then, she has executed her charge with maturity, sagacity, courage and commitment. Indeed since then, the beautiful and ageless Queen mother has become an enviable cultural Face of Lagos; its traditional allure and ageless charm.
“By bringing Erelu Dosumu into the Court of Oduduwa, Ooni Ogunwusi is paying tribute to the age old tradition of the Oodua people that recognises the power and position of significant matriarchs who had earlier dominated and still dominate the social, political and business landscape of the Yoruba nation and the lager race globally.
“Erelu Dosumu would be adding value to the Court of Oduduwa as a well connected aristocrat who for many years has been part and parcel of the influential class of Nigerian royalty”.
