Long before the walls of time began to whisper the stories of kings and kingdoms, there was a sacred land, Ilé-Ifẹ, the cradle of humanity, where creation itself was said to have taken its first breath.
In the heart of this ancient city stand six sacred kingdoms, the great pillars upon which Ifẹ rests, Ilode, Iremo, Iraye, Okerewe, Moore, and Ilare.
Each of these six represents not just a territory, but a throne, a lineage, a living heritage that has sustained the unity of the Ifẹ confederation for millennium.
These are not mere quarters; they are realms within a realm, each governed by its own royal family, with palaces that still echo the wisdom of their ancestors.
Together, they form the Confederation of Ifẹ Kingdoms, a powerful testament to the Yoruba philosophy of unity in diversity. And at the spiritual and ancestral center of this confederation stands the Ooni of Ifẹ, the sacred custodian of Odùduwà’s throne, a throne which he was blesssed with by the then selfless King who considered old but see Odùduwà as a young vibrant and innovative man. Odùduwà, whose
palace is encircled by the six kingdoms. The guardians and brothers of the sacred stool.
The Ajọ Sooko, the council of Ifẹ dukes, stand as the emissaries of these kingdoms, men of honor, descended from noble families who represent the heritage of their people.
Even the Ooni himself has a representative among them. Together, they uphold the bond that makes Ilé-Ifẹ not just a city of people, but a city of kings.
For this reason, it is often said, “Ifẹ kì í ṣe ìlú ènìyàn lasan ṣùgbọ́n ìlú ọba,” Ifẹ is not a city of men, but a city of kings.
Every child born within its sacred boundaries carries the mark of royalty in their blood. It is in their speech, their stride, their sense of destiny.
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Part two: The descendants of Oranfe, the Son of Ilode; Babatunde Oralusi
From among these six pillars came a son, Hareter Babatunde Oralusi, a native of Ilode Kingdom, from the Degelu’s Compound of the distinguished Oralusi family.
Born fifty-four years ago, Babatunde embodies the true spirit of Ifẹ brilliance, resilience, and vision. From an early age, he was known for his keen intellect and a boundless curiosity that pushed him beyond limits. Over the years, he has grown into a seasoned entrepreneur, a thought leader, and a champion of human capital development, carrying with him the quiet dignity and royal bearing of his Ilode ancestry.
In his heart burns the timeless Yoruba proverb, “Ilé là ti ń kẹ́sọ́ r’òde” Charity begins at home. Babatunde understands this deeply. He knows that a man who forgets his source is like a river that abandons its spring, soon it runs dry. Thus, he returns home, not as a stranger, but as a true son of the soil, reconnecting with his ancestral roots and the elders who guard its traditions.
Part three: The return and the Blessing of the six pillars
When Babatunde Oralusi visited the six kingdoms of Ifẹ, Ilode, Iremo, Iraye, Okerewe, Moore, and Ilare, the land itself seemed to awaken in joy. Each palace he entered welcomed him not just as a guest, but as a son returning home.
And when he appeared before the Ajọ Sooko, the council of dukes of Ifẹ, on Sunday, the 9th of November, 2025, it was a moment steeped in history and meaning. Their acceptance of him was not born of politics or ambition, but of kinship, a recognition of shared blood, shared purpose, and shared destiny.
The gathering of the Sooko under the blessing of the six pillars symbolized the enduring unity of Ifẹ, the belief that every child of this sacred city, no matter where they journey, remains tethered to its royal heartbeat.
Part four: The glory of Ife kingdom
The name “Ògò Títun Ifẹ̀” Ife New Glory. Captures both the ancient and the new. It honors the sacred legacy of a civilization that has shaped the Yoruba world, while also celebrating the emergence of a new generation of Ifẹ sons and daughters who bear the torch of progress and service.
In the person of Babatunde Oralusi, Ifẹ sees a reflection of itself, ancient yet youthful, royal yet humble, wise yet forward-looking. His story reminds us that the strength of a people lies not only in their history but in their ability to honor it while shaping the future.
And so, as the sun sets over the sacred hills of Oke Mogun and the winds carry the chants of the ancestors across the six kingdoms, one truth remains unshaken, Ilé-Ifẹ is eternal.
Its children are its glory. Its unity, its power. “Ògò Títun Ifẹ̀” Ife New Glory.
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