Queen Ashley Ogunwusi, the fourth wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has captured public attention with a heartfelt testimony celebrating the birth of their son and expressing profound gratitude toward her husband and God. During what appeared to be their son’s naming ceremony, the queen delivered an emotional tribute that offered a glimpse into the royal couple’s personal journey.
Videos circulating online show Queen Ashley radiating joy as she praised her husband, referring to him as “an amazing soul” who blessed her with “the greatest gift” – their son, Prince Ademakinwa. The royal mother, visibly moved during the ceremony, shared her testimony of divine faithfulness that extended beyond just childbirth to encompass the wellbeing of her entire family.
“I am thanking God for everything He has done in my life. I promised Him that when I have a baby, I will sing a special song to Him in front of people,” Queen Ashley declared before breaking into song. Her musical tribute carried deeper significance, as she explained: “If you know my history with my husband, you will understand this song and its meaning.
The queen’s words suggest a personal narrative filled with meaningful milestones that culminated in the birth of their son, now approximately five months old. Though she didn’t elaborate on specific details of their journey, her emotional delivery conveyed the profound significance of this chapter in their lives.
“You didn’t just make me give birth; my husband is hale and hearty, I am also healthy, and our baby is hale and hearty, too. Lord, I am grateful,” she continued, highlighting that her gratitude extended beyond just motherhood to encompass the comprehensive wellbeing of her family unit.
The ceremony represents another significant moment in the evolving story of the Ooni’s royal household. Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the 51st Ooni of Ife, has embraced polygyny in accordance with Yoruba royal tradition. Queen Ashley joined his household as his fourth wife, following Queens Naomi, Mariam, and Tobi.
Royal observers note that the birth of Prince Ademakinwa carries particular significance within Yoruba royal culture, where male heirs are traditionally valued for their roles in succession. Queen Ashley’s reference to “God answering her prayers for a male child for the man she loves” speaks to this cultural context while simultaneously revealing the personal aspirations she held for her marriage.
The naming ceremony itself reflects the rich cultural traditions surrounding childbirth in Yoruba culture. These ceremonies typically occur a few days after birth, but royal children may have more elaborate celebrations that sometimes occur months later. During such events, the child receives their formal names, often chosen to reflect family history, circumstances surrounding their birth, or aspirations for their future.
Queen Ashley, who reportedly had a son from a previous relationship before marrying the Ooni, now celebrates motherhood within the context of royal responsibility. Her public testimony offers a rare window into the personal dimensions of royal marriages, which typically maintain significant privacy despite their public status.
Cultural experts note that her testimony exemplifies the complex intersection of personal faith, traditional values, and royal protocols that characterize Nigeria’s traditional institutions. While modern in many respects, these institutions continue to preserve practices that have endured for centuries, including polygynous marriages among royalty.
The queen’s decision to share such personal sentiments publicly represents a more contemporary approach to royal communication, one that allows for emotional transparency while still respecting established customs. This balance between tradition and personal expression characterizes many aspects of Nigeria’s evolving monarchy systems.
For many observers, Queen Ashley’s testimony resonates because it humanizes the often formal and distant image of royalty. Her expression of gratitude, vulnerability, and joy offers a reminder that behind the titles and ceremonies exist real human relationships with their own unique stories and milestones.
The birth of royal children has historically been cause for widespread celebration throughout the kingdom, as these births represent continuity for traditional institutions that have weathered centuries of political, social, and cultural change. Prince Ademakinwa’s arrival continues this tradition while writing its own unique chapter in the history of the ancient Ife kingdom.
Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi’s reign has been characterized by efforts to preserve Yoruba cultural heritage while simultaneously embracing aspects of modernity that strengthen the relevance of traditional institutions in contemporary Nigeria. The public sharing of family milestones represents one way this balance manifests in practice.
Queen Ashley’s reference to answered prayers for a male child reflects not only personal fulfillment but connects to broader cultural narratives about family structure and gender roles that continue to evolve within Nigerian society. While traditional preferences for male children persist in many contexts, these views increasingly coexist with more progressive perspectives on gender.
As videos from the ceremony continue to circulate online, they contribute to the ongoing public fascination with Nigeria’s royal families and their unique place in the country’s cultural landscape. These institutions, while no longer holding formal governmental authority, maintain significant cultural influence and symbolic importance for many Nigerians.
Queen Ashley’s testimony, with its references to personal history and answered prayers, serves as a reminder that even within the formal structures of royal tradition, deeply personal human stories unfold. Her expressions of gratitude, framed within both spiritual and marital contexts, resonate with many who appreciate the universal themes of hope, fulfillment, and thanksgiving that transcend social status.
As Prince Ademakinwa grows within the royal household, he joins a lineage that traces back through centuries of Yoruba history, connecting ancient traditions to Nigeria’s evolving present and future. His mother’s public celebration of his birth represents just the beginning of what will likely be a life marked by both traditional responsibilities and contemporary opportunities.
