Ademiluyi Ajagun

Ademiluyi Ajagun was the 48th Ooni of Ife, a paramount traditional king of Ile-Ife, the ancestral home of the Yorubas. He was one of the most feared kings and was highly respected in Africa and around the world. He succeeded Ooni Adekola and was succeeded by Ooni Adesoji Aderemi.

Early life Adémilúyì, meaning "my crown is honorable," was born around the year 1860 to the Royal House of Lafogido, one of the 4 houses of the Ọ̀rànmíyàn dynasty, descended from Oduduwa and Oranmiyan. He was also a descendant of the 31st Ọọni of Ìfẹ̀, Otutubíọ̀ṣun. He was born to Prince Adémákin and one of his wives, Òbítọ́lá. He was the second child of his parents, his siblings were Adésanyà, Jọláadépọ̀ (the only daughter), Adébọwálé, and Adéyẹyè.

Reign

Ooni Adémilúyì with Captain Ross (a British explorer). Seated at late Ooni's footstool are his two daughters. Ooni Adémilúyì was a feared warrior, hunter and a skilled farmer. He routinely went on dangerous expeditions in Èkìtì country where he killed many animals such as lions, leopards, elephants, and antelope. While Ooni Adémilúyì was a devout worshipper of the Yoruba religion, he supported the expansion of religious institutions throughout Ìfẹ̀. There were legendary beliefs that Ooni Adémilúyì was fond of using mystical powers, changing and transforming into wild animals, usually to a leopard-ambushing and killing his opponents. In fact, it was established that whenever the natives caught the glimpse or saw a wild animal crossing, they normally concluded that Ooni Adémilúyì was passing by on a vicious mission.

Death and legacy

The king (Ọba) died on June 24, 1930, at about the age of 70. He was succeeded by Adesoji Aderemi. Ọba Ademiluyi had over 47 wives and is said to have had a range of 70 to over 100 children. In popular culture, the painting called the "African Mona Lisa," is said to depict the niece of Ọba Ademiluyi - Princess Adetutu Ademiluyi. Among the most notable great-grandchildren of the king is Prince Dr. Ifẹ̀dáyọ̀ Emmanuel Adéyẹ́fà Ọlásùpọ̀, a Yoruba polymath and the founder of Figbox, and Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, a Nigerian fashion entrepreneur who is also the 5th wife of the 51st Ooni of Ife.