Some years ago, the beautiful wives of prominent Yoruba traditional rulers hardly appeared in public. It was either that they preferred to stay behind the scene or were required by custom to keep out of sight. All that has changed. Nowadays many African queens are not only young, informed and stylish but also socially mobile and influential. IVORY UKONU writes on a few popular ones and their rise to fame
Queen of Iwo Kingdom, HRM Queen Firdaus Abdullahi-Akanbi
She is the only wife of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi Ilufemiloye Telu 1, the 16th Oluwo of Iwoland whose first marriage to Jamaican-born Chanel Chin ended in very controversial circumstances in 2019.
From the Madaki royal family in Kano State, Queen Firdaus is the daughter of late Madakin Kano, Abdullahi Sarki Sani Yola and the granddaughter of the late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero. The 27-year-old got married to the 56 year-old Oluwo at her family residence in Kano. Both welcomed a baby girl about three weeks ago. Since her marriage to the Oluwo of Iwo, the diploma holder in catering from the School of Management Studies, Kano, has upped her fashion game, dressing in conformity with a 21st century queen.
Queen of Warri kingdom, HRM Olori Atuwatse 111
Born Ivie Uhunoma Emiko, the daughter of late businessman, Captain Hosa Okunbo, was renamed the Olori Atuwatse 111, a title bestowed on her after her husband, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, ascended the throne. Olori Atuwatse personifies class and elegance which has helped her a great deal to properly project her majestic status. With the accolades of royalty and splendour, she has so far, in her two-year reign as queen, effortlessly showcased her rich heritage through her dress sense.
Queen of Ilara Epe kingdom, HRM Olori Bolanle Ogunsanwo
She is the pretty wife of the 55th Alara of Ilara Epe, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, a former chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS).
Olori Bolanle Ogunsanwo has only been a queen for about three years, but long before then, she was quite active on the social scene in Lagos while complimenting her husband’s status as the number one tax boss in the state. Besides, she runs an establishment that sells exclusive and high-end lace fabrics to her fellow socialites, so naturally, her fashion sense is nothing but commendable.
Queen of Iru kingdom, HRM Olori Mariam Lawal
She is the wife of His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal (Abisogun II), the 15th Oniru of Iru kingdom who was a former Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, as well as Commissioner for Housing, in Lagos State. Like her husband, Olori Mariam has a quiet demeanour. She has been very supportive of her husband since he ascended the throne and runs several charity organisations in Lagos. The story of her exquisite womanhood resonates with a pleasant appeal to all and sundry. She glitters far beyond the sparkle of polished diamonds. She personifies grace with her choice of ensemble as queen.
Queen of Mkpume Enugwu-Ukwu, HRM Nina Nnenna Agwunna
Queen Nina is the wife of His Serene Highness, HSH, Azaoku Chukwudinigbo Agwuna, the Igwe Mkpume of Enugwu-Ukwu in Anambra State. A fashion and beauty enthusiast, Queen Nina was at some point, an unrepentant member of the Lagos social establishment.The stylish Queen had to eventually take a breather from the social scene to help her husband run the affairs of their kingdom where her presence is much needed. She however still finds time to run her thriving beauty establishment, Charisma Cosmetics with her twin sister, Muka Nwokedi.
Queen of Orile Igbon, HRM Olori Olusola Adedoyin-Alao
She is the wife of Oba Francis Alao, the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oyo State and the Deputy Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Traditional Rulers. She is also the daughter of wealthy industrialist, Prince Samuel Adedoyin. Having being a banker for many years, reaching the pinnacle of her career as the managing director of defunct City Express bank, it was a bit difficult adjusting to a life of royalty and switching from high end corporate attires to stylish apparels required of her as queen. But Olori Sola has done so effortlessly because of her husband’s support.
Queen of Itele kingdom, HRM, Olori Abimbola Eletu
Although she is the current wife and queen of HRM, Oba Ademola Eletu-Odibo, she is however not his first wife. A skincare expert, Olori Abimbola used to be married to Yomi Folawiyo, one of the sons of late businessman and philanthropist, Chief Abdulwahab Iyanda Folawiyo until the marriage packed up. She is also a niece to late Senator Buruji Kashamu. But despite being in the beauty industry, Olori Abimbola does know what time it is, style wise.
Queens of Elegushi kingdom, HRMs Olori Sekinat and Olori Hadiza Elegushi
Both are the wives of the His Royal Majesty, Oba Alayeluwa Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Kusenla III, the Elegushi of Ikate-Elegushi kingdom. Both have their individual styles which complements their personality. While Olori Sekinat goes all out in terms of her style and total ensemble, Olori Hadiza is a bit laid back with her style. Olori Sekinat loves to wear exquisitely designed clothing while dripping in luxury accessories. Her flawless skin compliments whatever she wears, and one can’t help but be bowled over with her choice of ensemble each time she steps out.
Olori Hadiza loves expensive and exclusive wears and accessories, but she prefers to be subtle with her ensemble. Her flawless skin helps to do justice with whatever she puts together. Beside their style, both women have proved to be far different from queens of old who waited on their husbands’ hands and feet.
While Olori Sekinat runs a thriving events centre among other business ventures as well as a foundation through which she dispenses her milk of kindness, Olori Hadiza who is the daughter of frontline Kano elder stateman, Tanko Yakassai, is a topflight executive in a globally recognised oil and gas firm.
Queens of Ife Kingdom HRMs Olori Mariam, Olori Ashley, Olori Tobi, Olori Temitope and Olori Ronke
It is no longer news that the Ooni of Ife, HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja 11 married six wives within one month, an unrivalled feat in Nigeria. What is news however is not only how the dandy traditional ruler was a recurring decimal in the lives of his wives over the years before he made them his queens, but also how accomplished the queens are. They are all as stylish as 21st century queens should be.
There is Olori Mariam Ogunwusi nee Anako. From Kogi State, she was a topflight executive at Nestoil Limited, an engineering procurement, construction, and commissioning company in the oil and gas sector and so, money was never an issue funding her corporate style. Transitioning to royalty, was seamless while also keeping up to date with styles that projects her image as queen. Shortly after his marriage to Mariam, the Ooni tied the knot with Olori Elizabeth Ogunwusi nee Akinmuda. From Ondo State, she is an Electronic Data Processor based in Scotland. Then he married Olori Tobi Ogunwusi nee Philips, a native of Ondo State who worked with him for over six years before becoming his queen. A former beauty queen, she is a model and a fashion entrepreneur who runs QTP Luxury Fashion. She is also a skillful 3D artist.
In quick succession, the Ooni wedded Olori Ashley Ogunwusi nee Adegoke. Olori Afolashade is from the Lafogido ruling House of Ile-Ife. A chartered accountant with a master’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Greenwich, she currently runs her business in the United Kingdom as well as a Non-Governmental Organisation, the Ashley Adegoke Foundation, which focuses on less privileged children and widows. This was followed by his marriage to Olori Ronke Ogunwusi nee Ademiluyi whom he has known the longest and was even rumoured to be considered his queen when he first ascended the throne.
Born into the royal family, she is the great-granddaughter of the late Ooni of Ife, Ajagun Ademiluyi. A lawyer, she is the founder of Africa Fashion Week London, rated as one of the UK’S most significant annual fashion events that promote and nurture African and African-inspired design talent and Africa Fashion Week Nigeria. Alongside the Ooni of Ife, she co-founded the QMA international initiative which campaigns for the rights of women and girls in Nigeria and Africa. She is also the founder of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, a not-for-profit company that supports the education of less privileged girls in Nigeria and Africa. An author of several books, she is the creator and producer of ‘Queen Moremi The Musical,’ a theatre drama. Finally, there is Olori Temitope Ogunwusi nee Adesegun, a divorcee who has vast experience working in both the public and private sectors. She is also a humanitarian and a certified alumnus of several universities, including the University of Oxford, United Kingdom; INSEAD Business School, Fontainebleau, France; University of Cambridge, Judge Business School, United Kingdom; and Harvard Kennedy School of Government in the United States.
