The former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Queen Silekunola Naomi Ogunwusi, who recently clocked 30, shares with SAMSON FOLARIN some of her life’s experiences and how they have shaped her into who she is
Queen Silekunola Naomi Ogunwusi is a woman of different parts. Can you provide a highlight of your journey so far?
I started ministry at a very young age, or let me say that I started to have a good relationship with God at a very tender age. Before I got to know the Lord, I was having some supernatural experiences. However, at the age of nine, I gave my life to Christ, and got baptised with the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in tongues. I went through primary and secondary schools at the Akure Academy before I got admitted to Adekunle Ajasin University. I became popular there.
I was going to 18 years when I got God’s call to start my ministry formally, and I went into evangelistic ministry. For some reasons, I could not continue at the university at that time; that was because of the call. I was doing fine academically; I came out with flying colours in anything I did at that time. However, one was stronger than the other.
I continued full-time until I was 25 and got married. I am still in ministry; many assumed that I got married and stopped ministry. I had several crusades while in the palace, and I have gone on outreaches; we have videos to back it up. I am currently back in school, studying at the Elizade University.
…You are naturally beautiful and attractive, how do you ward off men?
Early enough, I took some measures even before I came into the limelight, and some people started seeing them as excessive, awkward and off. However, those things I structured helped me. A pretty young girl, it does not matter if you spit fire, you walk into a space, they don’t care if you are coming to minister. The first thing they are seeing is not what is coming out of you, but what is outside of you. And would you blame a complete man? Because once a man is complete, he is attracted to anything beautiful. Would you blame him if he started making advances? Those who are uncouth and ill-mannered will even want to take it by force.
I was always going in company with people, especially family members. I had older siblings and I had my mum. Every time I went out to minister or see people, you would never see me alone. It was like that and it was so difficult that people wondered, ‘Who’s going to marry her?’ Because, how are you going to approach me? You’re never going to see me alone.
I always have someone, and my phone is always on speed dial. So, once I press it, they will get me in a matter of seconds or minutes, and you will also know that I am not alone even though we are together in this room alone, there is somebody waiting outside.
So, that was a kind of put-off for people who would have loved to do something. They don’t really find me that attractive; they find me as, ‘This one must be old school, why will she be going around with people, why can’t she just walk alone?’
…You are out of the palace at the moment. Are you single and ready to mingle?
It’s a different thing to be single and it is a different thing to be ready to mingle. But what I can say for sure is that I am a bride waiting to be dressed up.
Can you clarify that?
You know, ‘Eni ti won gbe iyawo bo wa ba ko kin garun’. I don’t know how God plans to do it because He is my event planner. But there is a big event waiting to happen (if you are) talking about that aspect of my life.
Hmmm, you see this queen, it will take a strong king to get me; I am single.
Is there a possibility of reconciliation with the Ooni?
I am going to answer that question with a question. As I have been speaking to you for the past one hour, do I look like someone who can survive in the midst of six mature and strong women? No! She is but a soft, strong, gentle woman and I can’t be a square peg in a round hole.
…What plans do you have for the future?
I love surprising people. I want it to come and let everybody just wow! The world should just wait; there is something huge and beautiful. I am launching a business soon and
