Queen Ashley Ogunwusi, one of the esteemed wives of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has marked the beginning of 2025 with a touching tribute that offers a rare glimpse into the private world of Nigerian royalty. Through an emotional Instagram post, the queen shared intimate reflections on her marriage to one of Nigeria’s most prominent traditional rulers.
Her message, rich with both personal sentiment and royal formality, particularly emphasized the blessing of their son, highlighting the continuation of the ancient Ife dynasty. The queen’s words painted a picture of a partnership that transcends the traditional boundaries of royal marriage, describing the Ooni as her “rock” and “partner” while maintaining the respectful tone befitting his status as a paramount ruler.
Addressing her husband with his full royal titles – “Oonirisa, Adadeoworemo, Olewalowo Oko AFolasade, Ninolowo Baba ADEMAKINWA” – Olori Ashley demonstrated the delicate balance between intimate affection and royal protocol that characterizes their relationship. This careful blend of personal and ceremonial language offers insight into how modern royal couples navigate their public and private roles.
Beyond expressing personal gratitude, the queen’s message served as a broader reflection on community and shared purpose. Her words about unity and collective progress resonated with traditional African values of community and mutual support, while her vision for 2025 emphasized themes of hope, kindness, and resilience that speak to contemporary challenges.
The significance of Olori Ashley’s public declaration extends beyond mere personal expression. As one of the wives of the Ooni, her words carry weight in showcasing how traditional institutions adapt to modern times while preserving cultural heritage. Her message bridges ancient customs with contemporary communication, using social media to share royal sentiments that would once have been confined to palace walls.
The mention of their “precious gorgeous son” holds particular importance in the context of Yoruba royal tradition, where the continuation of the royal lineage remains a crucial aspect of cultural preservation. Her gratitude for this blessing reflects both personal joy and the fulfillment of a sacred duty to the throne of Ife.
Through her carefully crafted message, Olori Ashley also provided a template for modern African royalty in the digital age. Her use of social media hashtags alongside traditional royal titles demonstrates how contemporary royal figures can maintain relevance while preserving dignity and tradition. Tags like #CrownPrince and #YeyeOmioodua serve not just as social media markers but as bridges between ancient traditions and modern communication methods.
The queen’s expression of gratitude for “memories created” and anticipation of future moments together speaks to the dynamic nature of royal relationships in contemporary times. While traditional roles and responsibilities remain paramount, her words reveal the human dimension of royal partnerships, showing how personal bonds strengthen institutional ties.
Olori Ashley’s new year message also serves as a reminder of the evolving role of royal consorts in Nigerian traditional institutions. Her ability to publicly express both devotion to her husband and commitment to community service illustrates how queens can be both supportive partners and independent voices for social progress.
As Nigeria continues to balance traditional governance structures with modern democratic institutions, messages like Olori Ashley’s demonstrate how royal families can remain relevant by embracing transparency and personal connection while maintaining the dignity of their positions. Her words create a blueprint for how traditional rulers and their consorts can engage with their communities in meaningful, contemporary ways.
This heartfelt tribute, while deeply personal, carries broader significance for understanding the evolution of Nigerian royal institutions in the 21st century. It shows how love, tradition, and modernity can coexist within the framework of ancient monarchical systems, ensuring their continued relevance in contemporary African society.
