Last Child of 48th Ooni of Ife Passes Away at 102

Alhaja (Princess) Rafatu Ademinure Awofisayo, who was the last surviving child of the 48th Ooni of Ife, has passed away at the age of 102. Her death occurred peacefully in early April 2026.

Family sources have confirmed her passing, which has prompted tributes from various figures, including the current Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), Muslim organizations, and other associates. She has been remembered as a figure embodying faith, resilience, and the preservation of culture.

Princess Awofisayo was the daughter of Oba Ademiluyi Ajagun Lawarikan I, who held the title of Ooni of Ife from 1910 until June 24, 1930. Her departure signifies the end of a direct generational connection to this important period in Ife's history.

Born into the Otutu Royal Compound of the Lafogido Ruling House in Ile-Ife, she was the final living link to her father, whose reign was a notable chapter for the ancient town. Her death is seen by many as the symbolic closure of a bridge connecting modern Ile-Ife with its early 20th-century monarchy.

Princess Awofisayo received her early education at the Salvation Army Elementary School in Ile-Ife and later attended Saint Paul’s Anglican Church Elementary School in Aiyegbaju, Olopo, following her father's demise in 1930. Raised by her mother, Olori Elizabeth Odunlade Ige Ademiluyi, she developed a strong work ethic from a young age, becoming involved in trading activities that included mats, kolanuts, and palm oil.

In 1942, she married the late Alhaji Jimoh Elutide Awofisayo, a cocoa merchant and farmer from Ilode, Ile-Ife. Throughout her life, she became an influential figure within the Muslim community in Ifeland, holding significant titles, most notably Iya Adinni of Ifeland.

Responding to the news of her death, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, characterized her passing as "the end of a remarkable era." In a statement released on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, via the Palace Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, the monarch commended her for maintaining her father’s legacy and for her contributions to cultural and religious unity.

The Ooni stated, "Mama was more than a royal figure; she was a spiritual beacon and a bridge between generations, whose life reflected divine grace and purpose." He encouraged the people of Ife to honor her memory through unity, service, and faith.

Similarly, the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), through its President, Rasaki Oladejo, and Executive Secretary, Wole Abbas, lauded her as a "beacon of faith, resilience, and service." The organization praised her lifelong dedication to promoting Islam and her role in strengthening the Muslim community in Ile-Ife and beyond.

Princess Awofisayo is survived by six children, along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other extended family members. Details regarding funeral arrangements are expected to be announced soon.