By Ajibola Aminu
The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has shared his experience as a parent, stating that he had his first child when he was only 19.
The influential monarch disclosed this on his Instagram page on Monday, October 18 as he celebrated his daughter’s 28th birthday.
Ooni revealed the challenges associated with parenting, stating that it was not to be compared to the game of squid.
He took to his Instagram page on Monday, October 18, he said, “Parenting can be a big dream with unique challenges. It is never a game of squid. I have had my share of its beauty as a young father who was blessed with the most precious daughter at the age of 19.
“It was a huge responsibility for me, and I relied on a leap of faith and determination.
“The journey with my daughter, Princess Adeola, was incredibly filled with uncertainty as a young father, nonetheless, I guided my heart with all diligence and girded my loins for all the challenges.”
He also revealed that having a child at a young age made him live through pockets of circumstances that called his integrity and competence to questioning.
He said, “I equally realized that being a single parent to a daughter in an unfamiliar footprint can be a major shift in human experience and a daunting journey as you need to help your child to navigate day-to-day social situations, complex feelings, and developmental changes that life prescribes.
“Profoundly, life taught me to exhibit an abundance measure of resilience, compassion, determination, and above all empathy which my daughter sought from me.”
Ooni described his daughter as his “closest friend and great confidant”. He added that they had both formed an unbroken bond.
“She is and will always be a huge blessing to me and life successes.
“I celebrate you, Princess Adeola Ogunwusi, for being the epitome of my strength and dignity.
“Your tenacity, doggedness, and unshakable optimism to be the best in life are unarguably lifelong lessons that I cherish in you.”
