By 
Bisi ABASS
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has announced the appointment of Erelu Abiola Dosumu, as the new Yeye Oodua and Queen Mother of the House of Oduduwa.
She succeeds Hannah Dideolu Awolowo, who died 19 September 2015.
The choice of Erelu Abiola Dosumu was the unanimous decision of the Ife Traditional Council and major stakeholders of Oodua race, said Otunba Moses Olafare, Director, Media & Public Affairs at Ooni’s palace.
According to Olafare, her character, personality and her wealth of experience as an international business woman, a royal ambassador and a great icon of the African culture qualified her for the post.
“In almost half-a-Century of public life, Erelu Dosumu has proven herself to be an outstanding woman of stamina, integrity and far-reaching influence. In 1980 late Kabiyesi Adeyinka Oyekan, the Oba of Lagos, installed her as the Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos.
“With that appointment, she became the right hand person of the Oba of Lagos. Since then, she has executed her charge with maturity, sagacity, courage and commitment. Indeed since then, the beautiful and ageless Queen mother, has become an enviable cultural Face of Lagos; its traditional allure and ageless charm.
“By bringing Erelu Dosumu into the Court of Oduduwa, Ooni Ogunwusi is paying tribute to the age old tradition of the Oodua people that recognizes the power and position of significant matriarchs who had earlier dominated and still dominate the social, political and business landscape of the Yoruba nation and the lager race globally.
“Erelu Dosumu would be adding value to the Court of Oduduwa as a well connected aristocrat who for many years has been part and parcel of the influential class of Nigerian royalty”.
Since her accession in 1980 as Erelu Kuti IV, Abiola Dosumu has consistently followed the example of her illustrious forebear, building a business empire and creating a wide-ranging network of friends and influence in Nigeria and across the globe.
Though she had never held any political office, she has become well-known as a significant member of the power elite of Nigeria. She had been married twice.
Her first husband was Major Elegbede, a hero of the Nigerian Civil War who was involved in the decision of the General Yakubu Gowon government to create Lagos State.
He died in a motor accident shortly after the war. After his death, she later married the international business man, the late Chief Deinde Fernadez.
Dosumu was born in Kano on July 29, 1947, to OmoOba Adewunmi Dosumu, a Lagos prince and his wife, Adejoke.
She was educated in Nigeria and in the United Kingdom. She went into business early and became the first Nigerian to open a shop on the highbrow Bond Street in London, United Kingdom.
She had made a fortune dealing in the lucrative oil business and promoting the Yoruba traditional wear, Aso Oke, which she has sold all over the world.
In line with the ancient tradition of Ile-Ife, a 3-day traditional rites to communicate with the ancestors will begin from Thursday 21st July while the official installation ceremony will be held on Saturday 23rd July, 2022 at the courtyard of the Ooni’s Palace (Ile-Oodua) in Ile-Ife.
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