Giesi ruling house submits six names in tussle for new Ooni

NAMES of six shortlisted persons jostling for the stool of the Ooni of Ife from the Giesi ruling house were yesterday submitted to kingmakers.

The Secretary of the Giesi family, Prince Adekunle stated yesterday that the names of the qualified persons were handed over to the kingmakers headed by the Obalufe of Ife, Oba Folorunso Omisakin, who is acting as the Ooni.

According to him, six out of the 31 princes from Giesi ruling house that submitted their letters of intention made the final list sent to the kingmakers.

He gave the names of the princes as Aderemi Adeniran Adelowo, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Adegboyega Adewoyin Coker, Taiwo Ade Ogunleye, Adetunji Ogunwusi and Okinawa Ologbenla.

He explained that the candidates emerged after several screenings conducted by the family to ensure that the best person becomes the next Ooni of Ife.

Adekunle added, “To get to where we are now, we need to set some criteria. One, the preferred candidate must be at least 50 years in age, not an under-aged person. The pedigree of the person is also very crucial. The person must have a good name among the people. The person must understand the Ife people; understand Ife as a major and spiritual head of the Yoruba.”