The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Friday, joined family and friends to celebrate his former wife, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, at her convocation ceremony.
Naomi graduated from Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Relations.
The monarch arrived in full royal regalia, dressed in white, with a white crown and coral beads, while a large white ceremonial umbrella was held over him. He exchanged pleasantries with Naomi, who wore a black graduation gown, a cap with a yellow tassel and a green-and-yellow academic sash.
In a video first shared by gospel musician Dare Justified, the Ooni was seen greeting guests, carrying his son, Prince Tadenikawo, and celebrating alongside Naomi’s family. In one scene, he brought out two bundles of N1,000 notes and handed them to the boy as they posed for photographs.
He described Naomi’s graduation as “another beautiful milestone” for the former queen and prayed for greater opportunities ahead.
Ahead of the convocation, Naomi had shared her academic journey, revealing that she returned to school after more than a decade and retook the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examination to secure admission.
She spent four years combining motherhood with full-time studies, an achievement that drew praise from social media users, who described it as a testament to her resilience and determination.
At the combined 10th and 11th convocation of Elizade University, 964 graduands received their degrees, including 116 First Class graduates.
The Ooni and Naomi married in October 2018 and welcomed their son, Prince Tadenikawo, in November 2020. Naomi announced their separation in December 2021.
Many Nigerians on social media also praised the monarch for celebrating Naomi despite their separation, while congratulating her on her academic achievement.
Naomi Chima is an entertainment and lifestyle correspondent at Punch Newspapers with over three years of experience. She covers Nigerian entertainment, culture, and social events, conducts personality interviews, and contributes to features across desks. Her work demonstrates hands-on newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a commitment to engaging, accurate, and audience-focused journalism.