Birthday: Ooni Celebrates Prince Eludoyin At 77

The Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has felicitated with renowned business mogul and global icon of nobility, Prince Eludipo Elusanmi Eludoyin, as he clocks 77 years of impactful existence.

In a statement released by Ooni’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare, the monarch described Prince Eludoyin as a true descendant of Oduduwa whose life symbolises humility, excellence and devotion to humanity.

The monarch, in his royal tribute, noted that the celebrant is not only a titan in the business world but also a silent force in philanthropy, whose leadership at Paragon Holdings and other ventures has set an enviable standard of integrity and industry.

According to the Ooni, Prince Eludoyin’s life is deeply rooted in the sacred ethos of Omoluabi — a reflection of honour, character and responsibility.

“Though not enthroned, Prince Eludoyin carries the royalty of Ife in his bearing, with a name that opens doors and a presence that commands respect,” the monarch said.

While hailing the business icon for lifting the banner of Ile-Ife and the entire Yoruba race on the global stage, Ooni Ogunwusi described the 77-year-old as “a living deity”, a reference to the reverence he commands among his peers and in the House of Oduduwa.

“In the sacred traditions of our fathers,” the Ooni declared, “when the land of the gods calls one a king, such a person truly wears the crown. You are the Iroko tree in our ancestral forest — firm, fruitful and unshaken.”

The revered monarch also prayed for Prince Eludoyin’s continued good health, long life and fulfilment, urging younger generations to emulate the virtues that have defined his legacy.

“As you mark this sacred year, the House of Oduduwa blesses you with the authority of the ancestors. May your wisdom never wane, may your light never dim, and may you continue to prosper as a beacon of hope for our land,” the statement concluded.