Joy fills the Royal House of Oduduwa as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and his third wife, Olori Tobi Phillips, mark the first birthday of their twins, Ooreade and Oreade, today, March 16th, 2025.
The royal couple took to social media to share their profound happiness and gratitude on this milestone occasion, with the Ooni reflecting on how their lives have been transformed since the arrival of the twins exactly one year ago.
In a heartfelt message posted on his Instagram account, the revered traditional ruler expressed his deep appreciation for the divine blessing bestowed upon the royal family. One year ago, the Almighty King of Kings blessed the Royal House of Oduduwa with double joy — Ooreade and Oreade,” the Ooni wrote, his words resonating with the profound significance of this anniversary.
The monarch, who is the 51st Ooni of Ife and a direct descendant of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba people, described the twins as “priceless treasures” in his emotional tribute. His message continued with a father’s prayer for his children’s future: “We pray you grow to fulfil your dreams and aspirations.
In a touching gesture that extended beyond his immediate family, the Ooni also offered prayers for others hoping for similar blessings. May Olodumare’s endless grace touch everyone seeking such a blessing,” he wrote, invoking the name of the supreme deity in Yoruba traditional religion. He concluded his message simply yet profoundly with, “With love, Dad.”
Olori Tobi Phillips, the twins’ mother and the Ooni’s third wife, also commemorated the special day with her own distinctive celebratory message. With characteristic elegance, she wrote: “With a Splash of Royalty and a Sprinkle of Steeze, we open this New Chapter In Grace. Happy Birthday, PRINCE ADESINA & PRINCESS ADESEWA OGUNWUSI.
The celebration marks a significant milestone not just for the royal family but for the entire kingdom of Ile-Ife, considered the cradle of Yoruba civilization. In Yoruba tradition, twins hold a special place and are often celebrated with particular reverence and joy.
The birth of the twins last year was met with widespread celebration throughout the ancient city of Ile-Ife and across Yorubaland. Traditional ceremonies were held to welcome the royal infants, with elaborate rituals performed in accordance with age-old customs that have been preserved through generations.
For the Ooni, the arrival of the twins represented a continuation of the royal lineage and a strengthening of the sacred monarchy that has existed for centuries. The position of Ooni is not merely a traditional title but carries significant spiritual and cultural responsibilities as the custodian of Yoruba traditions and the spiritual leader of the Yoruba people worldwide.
Olori Tobi Phillips, who became the Ooni’s wife in 2022, has embraced her role within the royal household while maintaining her own identity as an entrepreneur and advocate for various causes. Her journey into motherhood with the birth of the twins has added another dimension to her public persona, as she balances her royal duties with raising the young prince and princess.
The first birthday celebration of the royal twins is likely to be marked with both private family moments and public acknowledgments, as is customary for significant royal events. While the intimate details of the celebration may remain private, the public expressions of joy from both parents indicate the profound significance of this milestone.
The twins’ birthday also coincides with a period of cultural renaissance in Ile-Ife, where the Ooni has been instrumental in reviving traditional festivals and promoting Yoruba heritage on global platforms. Under his reign, there has been increased interest in Yoruba culture, traditions, and spiritual practices, with the ancient city becoming a focal point for cultural tourism and historical research.
As Prince Adesina and Princess Adesewa Ogunwusi turn one, they enter their second year as symbols of continuity and hope for the royal dynasty. Their upbringing will undoubtedly be steeped in the rich traditions of their heritage, even as they grow in a rapidly changing world.
The Ooni’s prayer that they “grow to fulfil [their] dreams and aspirations” speaks to the balance of tradition and modernity that characterizes contemporary royal upbringing. While they will be educated in the ways and customs of their ancestors, they will also be prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the modern world.
As the royal family celebrates this joyous occasion, their happiness resonates beyond the ancient walls of the palace, touching the hearts of well-wishers across Nigeria and beyond. The twins’ first birthday marks not just a personal milestone for the Ooni and Olori Tobi, but a moment of celebration for all who hold dear the continuation of the royal lineage and the cultural heritage it represents.
