Rafatu Awofisayo, the last surviving child of Ooni Ademiluyi Ajagun, the 48th Ooni of Ife, has died at the age of 102. Her passing marks the end of a direct lineage to the 48th Ooni, a significant figure in Yoruba history. Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the current Ooni of Ife, confirmed her death in a statement released on Wednesday. He described her life as one of fulfillment, service, and cultural preservation.
Awofisayo was widely respected as the Iya Adinni of Ifeland, a revered position within the Muslim community of Ile-Ife. The Ooni praised her for her humility, wisdom, and role in nurturing generations across religious lines. She was recognized for her contributions to the growth of Islam and for promoting unity and compassion among followers in Ile-Ife and beyond. "Mama was more than a royal figure; she was a spiritual beacon and a bridge between generations, whose life reflected divine grace and purpose," Oba Ogunwusi said.
He urged people to honor her memory by living lives rooted in service, faith, and unity. Her 102 years were described as a testament to a life deeply impactful and spiritually grounded.
Rafatu Awofisayo lived longer than any of her generation, outliving the world she was born into. Her death at 102 closes a direct chapter of the 48th Ooni's lineage, leaving no living descendants from that reign. For Nigerians, particularly in Ile-Ife, this signals the end of personal memory giving way to recorded history. The role of royal elders as cultural anchors is now carried forward by institutions, not bloodlines.
