Another celebration has taken place in the House of Oduduwa as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has welcomed a baby girl with one of his wives, Olori Oluwatosin.

The traditional ruler announced the birth on his official social media pages on Sunday, saying both Olori Oluwatosin and the newborn princess were in excellent health.

The announcement came barely three months after another of the Ooni’s wives, Olori Mariam Ajibola, welcomed twin princes in May, marking another addition to the royal family.

Olori Oluwatosin had largely remained outside public attention before the birth announcement. Although the Ooni publicly identified her as one of his wives, the palace has not disclosed when they married.

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Her name was also not among those of the six women whose marriages to the monarch were publicly reported between September and October 2022.

Following the end of his marriage to former queen Naomi Silekunola in December 2021, the Ooni married Mariam Anako on 6 September 2022.

He subsequently married Elizabeth Akinmudai and Tobiloba Philips on 9 October, Ashley Adegoke on 14 October, Ronke Ademiluyi on 20 October and Temitope Adesegun on 24 October.

Appreciation and prayers

Announcing the birth, the monarch expressed gratitude to God for what he described as the precious gift of new life.

He also congratulated the House of Oduduwa and prayed that the princess would flourish in wisdom, grace and honour.

The Ooni wrote: “To God Almighty be all the glory for his unfailing grace and the precious gift of new life. Hearty congratulations to the entire House of Oduduwa for the blessed arrival of a Royal Princess through Olori Oluwatosin.

“May the Almighty preserve this divine gift and cause her to flourish in wisdom, grace and honour. We are pleased to share that both Olori Oluwatosin and the Royal Princess are in excellent health.”

Growing royal family

The princess’s arrival follows several births announced by the monarch in recent years.

The announcement attracted congratulatory messages from Nigerians and other well-wishers, many of whom celebrated with the House of Oduduwa on social media.

The palace did not disclose the newborn princess’s name.