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As the wife of His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Saliu, the Oloworo of Oworo, Olori Oluwabukola Mariam Saliu has embraced the responsibilities of royalty with grace, humility and a deep commitment to community service. A graduate of Banking and Finance from the University of Lagos, the Queen combines her royal duties with philanthropy, family life and a passion for uplifting others.
In this exclusive interview with City People, Olori Oluwabukola opens up on what life is like behind the palace walls, the qualities that endeared Kabiyesi to her, balancing family with the demands of royalty, and the significance of the annual Ota Festival, which has grown into one of the most anticipated cultural celebrations in the Oworo Kingdom. She also shares what visitors should expect at this year’s expanded eight-day festival and why preserving the community’s rich cultural heritage remains close to her heart
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Olori Oluwabukola Mariam Saliu, wife of His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Saliu, the Oloworo of Oworo. I am a queen, a mother and a philanthropist with a passion for giving back to society.
I graduated from the University of Lagos, where I studied Banking and Finance. Beyond my royal responsibilities, I enjoy interacting with people and supporting worthy causes that positively impact lives.
How has life been as an Olori? What are your responsibilities like daily?
Becoming an Olori has not changed who I am as a person. I am still the same Oluwabukola. However, the office comes with enormous responsibilities. It is a very demanding role because there is always something to attend to. Hardly a week passes without official engagements, community activities or social events.
Despite the busy schedule, I make it a priority to create time for my family—my husband and our children—as well as members of the community who regularly come to the palace seeking support, guidance or intervention.
What kind of person is Kabiyesi?
Kabiyesi is a calm, caring and compassionate man. He is a loving husband, a devoted father and someone who listens attentively before making decisions.
He is also a philosopher in every sense of the word. He believes in wisdom, thoughtful conversations and always encourages people to see situations from different perspectives. Those are qualities I deeply admire.
Which of his qualities attracted you to him?
His humility was one of the first things that caught my attention. He is highly educated, God-fearing and very reserved. He is not someone who seeks unnecessary attention, and I found that very attractive. His calm disposition and simplicity made him someone I knew I could spend my life with.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I wouldn’t say I have a fixed routine because every day comes with different responsibilities.
My day begins with prayers. After that, I spend time with my husband and children before attending to the day’s activities. The palace receives people from all walks of life daily. Some come with family issues, others seek advice, assistance or traditional intervention. We welcome everyone, and attending to their needs forms a major part of my daily responsibilities.
Apart from my royal duties, I also have personal business interests, although I prefer not to discuss them at the moment.
Tell us about the Ota Festival. Which edition will hold this year?
This year’s celebration will be the third edition of the Ota Festival, and we are making it bigger and better than the previous editions.
Last year’s festival lasted seven days and was a huge success. It featured several activities, including the Royal Walk, free medical outreach, schools’ quiz competition involving both public and private schools, an Artists’ Night, the main Ota Festival celebration, Artisan’s Day and a colourful grand finale that featured performances by leading entertainers including Naira Marley, Nice, Malaika, alongside several indigenous performers from the community.
What should people expect from this year’s festival?
This year’s festival has been expanded into an eight-day celebration.
The programme begins with the Royal Walk, followed by a free medical outreach in collaboration with several healthcare organisations and medical professionals.
The third day will feature the Schools’ Quiz Competition, with participation from schools within and outside the community. This will be followed by Artists’ Day, while the fifth day will be the main Ota Festival celebration, during which participants will dress in white to symbolise peace, purity and unity.
The sixth day is dedicated to Artisan’s Day, while the seventh day will celebrate culture and heritage through a pageantry event. The festival will conclude with a grand finale featuring performances by top Nigerian artistes, including Terry G, while discussions are ongoing with Seyi Vibez and Asake, subject to availability.
We understand there will also be a Boat Regatta during the festival.
Yes. One of the major attractions of the main Ota Festival Day is the traditional Boat Regatta. It is a significant cultural and spiritual aspect of the festival.
However, because it is rooted in our customs and traditions, there are certain aspects I cannot fully explain. Some details are better discussed by our traditional custodians, who are more knowledgeable about the rites, symbolism and historical significance of the event.
What is the essence of the Ota Festival?
The Ota Festival is one of the most important cultural celebrations of our people. It is a period when the community comes together to preserve our heritage, promote unity and offer prayers for peace, prosperity and progress.
It also serves as an opportunity to celebrate our identity, showcase our rich traditions and pass our cultural values from one generation to another. Beyond the festivities, the festival strengthens the bond among our people and reminds us of the importance of preserving our history and customs.
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