The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on Friday attended the convocation ceremony of his former wife, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, at Elizade University in Ondo State.
The appearance marked a rare public reunion between the monarch and his ex-wife, who graduated with a degree in International Relations, ValidViewNetwork reports.
THE CEREMONY
The convocation was the university’s combined 10th and 11th ceremony, held in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State.
The ceremony covered 964 graduands, including 116 who graduated with First Class honours.
Gospel musician Dare Justified shared pictures and videos from the event on his Instagram page, confirming the Ooni’s presence . He congratulated Silekunola on the academic milestone and expressed hope that it would open doors to more opportunities and achievements.
“AKURE WAS BEAUTIFUL! WHAT A DAY OF CELEBRATION! A special day celebrating the remarkable Her Majesty, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola at her convocation ceremony at Elizade University, Akure!” he wrote. “What an incredible and memorable time! An even greater honour to have His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, present to celebrate this beautiful milestone alongside family and friends” .
THE ACADEMIC JOURNEY
Ahead of the convocation, Naomi had opened up on her academic journey, revealing that she returned to school after more than a decade.
She said she sat the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examination again to gain admission and spent four years combining motherhood with full-time studies.
The Ooni and Naomi got married in October 2018. She announced their separation on December 23, 2021. Their union produced a son, Prince Tadenikawo .
THE ANALYTICAL LENS
This is a story about grace.Naomi Silekunola was once a queen. She was married to one of the most powerful traditional rulers in Nigeria. Then the marriage ended. She left the palace. She became a single mother.
And then she went back to school.
She sat for JAMB again. She enrolled at Elizade University. She spent four years studying International Relations, balancing motherhood with full-time studies. And on Friday, she graduated.
The Ooni was there to celebrate with her. It is a gesture that speaks to a relationship that has evolved beyond the palace walls. They are no longer husband and wife. But they are still parents. They are still connected.
For Naomi, the degree is more than a certificate. It is a statement. It is proof that a woman’s worth is not defined by her marriage, or by the palace she leaves behind. It is defined by what she builds for herself.
The graduation cap has been thrown. The degree has been awarded. And a former queen has become a graduate. ValidViewNetwork reports.
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