End of an Era: Ooni Mourns as Last Surviving Child of 48th Ooni Dies at 102

​ILE-IFE – The ancient city of Ile-Ife was cast into a state of solemn reflection on Wednesday following the announcement of the transition of Princess Rafatu Ademinure Awofisayo, the last surviving child of the 48th Ooni of Ife, Oba Ademiluyi Ajagun. She was 102.

​The Arole Oodua, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, in a glowing tribute, described the matriarch’s passing as the “end of a remarkable era.” In a statement issued by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, the monarch noted that the Princess’s life was a rare tapestry of royal dignity, spiritual devotion, and selfless service to humanity.

​A Century of Service and Faith

​Princess Awofisayo, popularly known as the Iya Adinni of Ifeland, was much more than a figure of royal blood. To the people of Osun State and the wider South West, she was a spiritual beacon. The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) and the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN)—where she served as a Matron—joined the palace in celebrating a woman who successfully bridged the gap between traditional royalty and Islamic piety.

​”Mama was more than a royal figure; she was a spiritual beacon and a bridge between generations,” Ooni Ogunwusi remarked. “Her life reflected divine grace and purpose.”

​The Legacy of ‘Ajagun’

​The late Princess was the final direct link to the reign of her father, Oba Ademiluyi Ajagun, who occupied the throne from 1910 to 1930. Oba Ademiluyi was famously known as a formidable warrior and hunter, a monarch whose reign saw the arrival of the German expedition led by Leo Frobenius. By surviving for over a century, Princess Rafatu acted as a living library of Ife’s colonial-era history and the customs of the Lafogido Ruling House.

​Her centennial birthday, celebrated in July 2023, was a landmark event where family members, led by Prince Felix Awofisayo, testified to her mental clarity and sharp memory even at the age of 100.

​Tributes Pour In

​The Ooni emphasized that while the House of Oduduwa feels the weight of her exit, her 102-year journey is a “testament to a life richly blessed” that calls for celebration rather than mourning. He praised her for fostering unity and discipline within the Muslim community and for her role as a custodian of Yoruba cultural values.

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​The leadership of MUSWEN, in a message signed by President Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, echoed these sentiments, describing her as a “pillar of strength” whose wisdom guided many through the decades.

​The Ooni has urged the descendants of Oduduwa worldwide to honor her memory by emulating her virtues of humility and commitment to communal peace. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the Awofisayo dynasty in accordance with Islamic rites and royal protocols.