story by Adeolu Adeyemo, Philip Nyam and Emmanuel Anule
Body arrives today from London
Finally, Ife chiefs confirm monarch’s death
Buhari, Dogara, Aregbesola, Kalu mourn
After a series of denials, the Ife Traditional Council yesterday admitted that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, has passed on. Members of the council, comprising high chiefs in Ife, visited Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, in Osogbo to formally break the news of the death of the monarch to the governor, ahead of his burial tomorrow.
The monarch’s body will arrive in Nigeria today from London, the late Sijuwade’s son, Adetokunbo, said yesterday. The chiefs, who criticised the violation of Ife tradition by the media, had until yesterday, strenuously denied the passage of the king after it was reported that he died in London on July 28 at the age of 85. With the official confirmation of the monarch’s death, President Muhammadu Buhari, House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Aregbesola and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, paid tributes to the late Sijuwade.
The traditional chiefs arrived at the Government House, Osogbo, around 2pm to brief the governor. The Obalufe, Chief Solomon Omisakin, who led members of the traditional council, told the governor that the king had joined his ancestors. He said: “The delay in the announcement of Ooni’s death was due to strict adherence to Yoruba tradition of announcing the death of a monarch.
“It is imperative for the council to lay to rest the rumours making the round on the death or otherwise of the late Ooni of Ife but the announcement of the monarch is not one that would be made in the market place or any other social gathering. “We, the Ife Traditional Council, have come here to brief you the governor and the government of Osun about the passing on of our royal majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Ooni of Ife. “The breaking of the news of the demise of the king must follow traditional ways and rites; that is why it is coming at this time.”
In his response, the governor recounted the last message he received from the late monarch on July 23 when he briefed him of his medical trip abroad. Aregbesola described the late Sijuwade as a person who during his life time did everything humanly possible to uplift the Yoruba tradition.
“It should be on the record that during his life time, he showcased and left the traces of Yoruba tradition any where he visited across the globe.” During his address, Aregbesola read the text message the late Ooni sent to him when he was going for a medical trip abroad.
“I am still not feeling good, so I am travelling abroad for further medical treatment this week. “I place you and your government in the hands of God and under His continuous guidance,” the governor quoted the late monarch as saying in his text message. Also, a separate letter signed by Obalufe of Iremo quarters and Vice Chairman, Ife Traditional Council, Oba Folorunso Omisakin and Prince Adetokunbo Sijuwade, for and on behalf of the Olubuse Royal Family of Ogbooru Ruling House, also officially told Aregbesola of the death of the monarch.
The letter, dated August 12, 2015, a copy of which was made available to reporters in Osogbo, read: “On behalf of the entire Royal House of Olubuse Family, we write to formally notify you of the transition to eternal glory of our father, grandfather and great grandfather, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II.
“Our father, until his death recently, was the Ooni of Ife and permanent Chairman of Osun State Council of Obas and Co-chairman, Nigeria National Traditional Council. He ascended the throne of his ancestors on the 6th December, 1980.
“Kindly also be informed that an interdenominational service will hold in his honour on Friday,14th, August at 10.00 am prompt in front of the palace. “We will be grateful sir, if Your Excellency would honour us with your presence at the event.” On the day the chiefs formally announced the king’s passage, his kingdom looked like a ghost city as traditional priests took over the affairs of the town to perform traditional rites. Many of the residents stayed indoors to avoid any untoward incident.
The traditional worshippers who were said to have kept vigil at the palace to perform rituals, continued with it in the early hours of the day by cutting down all trees in the palace and in the markets.
Also, the ancient traditional door located in the palace, which always remains permanently closed until the passage of any monarch, has been opened by the fraternity group members. It was gathered that the door plays a significant role in the life and death of any traditional ruler of the ancient town as its opening and closure mean “life and death” of any king in the land.
Meanwhile, Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of the Sijuwade. The president, in a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, condoled with the late Ooni’s family, his friends, associates and subjects, as well as the government and people of Osun State on the death of the monarch. Buhari joined them in mourning the revered traditional ruler who will be long remembered and celebrated for his worthy service, over more than three decades as the chief custodian of the traditions of the Yoruba and his invaluable contributions to the sustenance of the cultural heritage of his people within and outside Nigeria.
According to the president, the late Sijuwade’s place in posterity has already been assured by his long and worthy service to his people and country as well as his notable contributions to the development of his community, state and country as a leading businessman, administrator and inspirational traditional ruler. Dogara on his part, expressed shock over the demise of Sijuwade. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, yesterday, Dogara described the Ooni`s death as a monumental loss to Nigeria.
The Osun State Government also commiserated with the family of the Ooni, the people of the state and the Yoruba on the death of the monarch. The government expressed its condolence message in Osogbo through a statement by Director, Bureau of Communication & Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon. “Ooni Sijuwade was a study and model in royalty.
He embodied the best in traditional pomp. He exalted the place of the royalty among our people. His contributions towards maintaining a place of pride for the Yoruba race on the world are huge.
“A loss though, we are, as a people, are consoled by the fact that our Imperial Majesty lived a fulfilled life; one happily hallmarked by the great impact on his subjects, the entire state, region and nation,” the statement said. Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam, in his condolence message, commiserated with Buhari, Aregbesola and the Yoruba nation over the death of Sijuwade. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Goke Butikakuro, Salaam expressed the regrets of the parliament over the departure of the king, saying his absence at this critical phase of national life would be deeply felt. In his tribute, Kalu described the late monarch as an embodiment of peace.
According to Kalu in a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser, Prince Kunle Oyewumi, the paramount ruler was an elder statesman who displayed love and fairness to all irrespective of tribal, religious and political differences.
“Nigeria has lost a great personality. Oba Sijuwade demonstrated genuine leadership by contributing to both local and national issues objectively. He was a symbol of culture and tradition beyond the shores of the African continent. His reign brought unprecedented development to Ile- Ife and his memories will remain evergreen in the minds of the people.
“His reign brought unprecedented development to Ile-Ife and his memories will remain evergreen in the minds of the people. Above all, he was humane, cerebral and outstanding in all ramifications. Our hearts and prayers are with the Sijuwade family at this grief-stricken period,” Kalu said.
SOURCE: NEW TELEGRAPH
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