Cowry-Adorned Crown Turns Heads As Ooni Hosts Oluremi Tinubu, Yoruba Monarchs

By Samuel Sunday

The Onimesi of Imesi Ekiti, Oba Olatunji Olatunde Olaibiyemi II, has drew widespread attention on Friday at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, as his cowry-adorned crown became a major highlight during an event attended by the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and prominent Yoruba traditional rulers.

Oba Olatunde, a respected monarch from Aiyekire Local Government Area of Ekiti State, stood out among dignitaries as his uniquely designed crown, decorated with modern cowry ornaments, attracted intense interest from guests, journalists, and photojournalists at the gathering.

The event followed the commissioning of major projects donated by Senator Oluremi Tinubu to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, after which the Ooni of Ife, Ojaja II (CON), hosted traditional rulers, academics, and students at his palace.

Projects commissioned by the First Lady included 50 buses to improve student transportation, tricycles to ease intra-campus movement, and the Senator Oluremi Tinubu DREAM Centre, a facility designed to promote youth empowerment, innovation, skills acquisition, and entrepreneurship.

The occasion drew a large audience, celebrating Senator Tinubu’s sustained support for her alma mater and her contributions to education and youth development.

Oba Olatunde, an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, attended the ceremony in full traditional regalia.

However, it was his cowry-laced crown that set him apart, sparking curiosity and conversations throughout the venue.

Explaining the symbolism behind the crown, the Onimesi traced its origin to his progenitor, Oba Olaibiyemi I, whom he described as a deeply traditional ruler guided by regular consultation with the Ifa oracle.

He noted that cowries historically served as spiritual instruments and a medium of exchange in the pre-colonial era.

According to the monarch, the cowry-adorned crown symbolises wealth, generosity, justice, and continuity of palace traditions that predate modern influences.

He said his decision to incorporate cowries into his royal regalia reflects a conscious effort to revive ancestral values and preserve Yoruba cultural heritage.

Oba Olatunde also acknowledged the influence of the Ooni of Ife, noting that the Ooni’s public embrace of culture continues to inspire traditional rulers across Yoruba land to reconnect with their roots.

He praised Oba Ogunwusi for his role as a unifying force in Yoruba land, bridging traditional institutions with political and business leadership for collective progress.

The Onimesi cautioned against misinterpreting cultural expressions in royal attire as fetishism, stressing that such symbols represent history, identity, and continuity.

Commending Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s donations, Oba Olatunde described the gesture as people-oriented and capable of improving academic delivery and enhancing Nigeria’s standing in global university rankings.

He urged well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the First Lady’s example by investing in education and national heritage.

“This donation goes beyond ceremony; it teaches the value of giving,” the monarch said. “Nigeria needs functional universities that can equip graduates with practical skills, reduce unemployment, boost industrialization, and address the poverty of ideas and resources.”