Ooni names Erelu Abiola Dosumu as Yeye Oodua
Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has appointed Erelu Abiola Dosumu, as the new Yeye Oodua and Queen Mother of the House of Oduduwa.
This was announced by the Director, Media & Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Moses Olafare in a statement.
According to Olafare, Dosumu (Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos) will replace Mama H.I.D. Awolowo, who was the immediate-past Yeye Oodua of the source.
“It took the Royal Court of Ife this long to announce a successor because of the numerous achievements of the immediate past Yeye Oodua H.I.D Awolowo 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 choice of Erelu Abiola Dosumu is indeed an 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 late 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,” the statement said.
The statement added that the new Yeye Oodua would be expected to add “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.”
The installation ceremony of the new Yeye Oodua would take place on Saturday, July 23rd at the courtyard of the Ooni’s Palace (Ile-Oodua) in Ile-Ife, with a 3-day traditional rites to communicate with the ancestors beginning from Thursday 21st line with the ancient tradition of Ile-Ife.
Dosumu was born in Kano on July 29, 1947, to Omooba Adewunmi Dosumu, a Lagos prince and his wife, Adejoke. She was educated in Nigeria and in the United Kingdom. She went into business early and became the first Nigerian to open a shop on the highbrow Bond Street in London, United Kingdom.
She had made a fortune dealing in the lucrative oil business and promoting the Yoruba traditional wear, Aso Oke, which she has sold all over the world.
