Ooni Steps on Runway in New Viral Video, Nigerians Share Divided Opinions: "Is This Even Okay?"
- The Ooni of Ife was captured in a new video confidently walking a runway at a fashion event
- The moment drew admiration from the young attendees at the fashion show, who cheered loudly
- The video has led to a nationwide debate on royal conduct, modern influences, and traditions
- A social commentator, Sam Dede, stated that Ooni's action touches on the sensitivity of the stool he sits
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has once again become the centre of debate after a video of him modelling on a runway surfaced online.
The Nigerian traditional ruler was seen walking gracefully to cheers and applause while attending a fashion-themed event.
The venue was lively, with young attendees hyping and celebrating the Ooni of Ife like a superstar.
Source: Instagram
After the walk, the monarch addressed the audience, many of whom were visibly excited just to be in his presence.
The viral Instagram clip has gained mixed reactions from commenters online.
Some netizens believe that the video crossed a cultural line, expressing concern that the runway appearance might 'water down' the prestige of the stool.
Ooni's runway comes amid clash with Alaafin
The respected monarch had recently made the news after he had a face-off with Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade.
The Alaafin had given the Ooni a 48-hour ultimatum to reverse the chieftaincy title conferred on a popular Ibadan-based business mogul, Dotun Sanusi.
However, the Ife monarch Ooni rebuffed the threat in a statement by his spokesman.
Mixed reactions trail Ooni's runway video
Legit.ng compiled the reactions of social media users below
@mo_posh2
"The man is living on his own terms and unapologetic about it. I like it, he's enjoying his life."
@egaofng:
"If he reach your turn no double your hustle they wait for irumole to provide."
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@needles_sliver:
"I love it😍 if e reach ur turn, stay one place all the days of ur life😢make d@presion hold u."
@teniola_ajanaku:
"Ooni is not your regular village kings, and your opinion does not matter...he is young and active and he won't put himself in unnecessary isolation because of you people that can't think for your family but think you can think for him......we live him like that."
@lurdeasy_29:
"I feel so sad for yoruba heritage ......dis is how we lost true identity of our tradition ...this is so uncalled for ....u are a king with traditional history u can start doing things jst to make people think its fine for a king to do stuffs like dat ....after now u go see oba dey club say it's normal ....even in white man land u won't see a king try stuff kike dis ..so sad."
@officially_adt:
"A whole king oh, no wonder Yoruba kings are not taken seriously, very useless set of people."
@abosco325:
"The best king apart from one wey go sit down one place Dey criticise all Yoruba king as if himself be saint oba yahoo."
Source: Twitter
People's concern over Ooni's action valid - Dede
A social commentator, Sam Dede, stated that Ooni's action touches on the sensitivity of the stool he sits.
He stated:
"The Ooni of Ife is not just any king. He sits on one of the oldest and most spiritually symbolic thrones in Yoruba history. So whenever he steps into pop culture spaces, people worry that the reverence of the stool is being diluted for entertainment. However, times are changing. Traditional rulers today engage more with the youth and the modern world."
Jonathan hosts Ooni in Bayelsa
Legit.ng previously reported that former president Goodluck Jonathan had received the Ooni of Ife at his residence in Yenagoa, on May 2.
The former leader expressed deep appreciation to the king for what he called a royal visit and a significant gesture of unity and mutual respect.
Jonathan also expressed gratitude to the Yoruba monarch for the royal gifts and shared photos of the developments on his social media page.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
