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With Funsho Arogundade
It’s almost hard to believe that Olori Oladunni Sijuwade, the wife of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, the late Ooni of Ife, is 70. In a new series of portraits released some days to her platinum birthday celebration, the Queen fondly called Olori Ladun shows she has lost none of the glamour that she was known for in her younger years. With the innate fashion sense, the Olori remains ageless, classy, and purpose-driven —a true symbol of strength and refinement.
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Olori Ladun was never like other royal queens. She was a central figure within the revered House of Sijuwade and regarded as the most educated of all Ooni Sijuwade’s wives. Her academic excellence sets her apart as a graduate of Law, Economics and Politics from the prestigious Buckingham University: a rare achievement among many Nigerian queens. She also earned her flowers as one with the most tenacious grasp of life and business.
Beyond her distinguished royal status as a spouse of one of Africa’s most respected monarchs, Olori Ladun stands tall because of her enviable pedigree. A true blue-blooded aristocrat from a lineage of honour and distinction —she is the daughter of High Chief Adedamola Taiwo Harold Sodipo, billionaire businessman and longest-reigning Akogun of Egbaland.
Olori Ladun came to be one of her late husband’s closest confidantes on account of her strong character and far-sighted mindset while he was alive. She was a permanent fixture on the social scene while her husband held sway as the Ooni. Although it has been over a decade since her legendary husband joined his ancestors, her elegance, intelligence, and enduring grace have continued to command admiration and commendation across Nigeria and beyond.
This reputation still came to the fore on Tuesday March 17, when she joined the Septuagenarian Club. To mark her milestone birthday, the celebration was shifted to last Sunday March 22 and it was memorable. It started with a special thanksgiving service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Redemption Pavilion, Victoria Island, Lagos. This was followed by a classy black-tie shindig themed “The Masked Ball” at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. The venues of the two events were filled with pomp and conviviality as prominent dignitaries, family members, and other well-wishers gathered to celebrate a woman whose life reflects royalty, grace, faith, purpose, solid pedigree and Godly heritage.
