Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Sunday received the revered chieftaincy title of Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua from the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, during a grand ceremony in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Mrs Tinubu arrived at the ancient palace shortly after 1 p.m. to a festive welcome marked by tight security and cultural pageantry. She was received by the Ooni and an assembly of royal chiefs before proceeding to the Palace Square, where the installation coincided with celebrations of the monarch’s 10th coronation anniversary.
The event attracted an impressive gathering of traditional rulers and dignitaries from across Yorubaland and beyond. Among attendees were the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III; the Sultan of Sokoto; and the Soun of Ogbomoso, alongside several prominent cultural leaders.
The Yeye Asiwaju title carries notable historical weight, having been held by the late Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, wife of the late statesman Chief Obafemi Awolowo. It is traditionally reserved for women who demonstrate exceptional leadership, influence, and service to society within the Yoruba cultural sphere.
Sunday’s honour adds to a growing list of traditional recognitions for Senator Tinubu in 2025. In August, she was named Iya Oba of Ikorodu by Oba Kabir Shotobi in Lagos State.
Earlier in June, the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council conferred on her the title Ugosimba I of Enugu for her humanitarian and developmental contributions.
In October, the Lamido of Akko in Gombe State honoured her as Sarauniyar Yaki (Queen Warrior) for her advocacy on behalf of vulnerable Nigerians.
The ceremony in Ile-Ife marks yet another milestone in the First Lady’s expanding influence across Nigeria’s cultural landscape.
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