The eldest son of the Ooni of Ife, Prince Adetokunbo Sijuwade, on Wednesday, said the remains of the late traditional ruler will arrive Nigeria from United Kingdom (UK) today and would be buried tomorrow
This came as the delegation of Ife high chiefs, accompanied by Prince Sijuwade, officially announced the demise of the traditional ruler, during a meeting with Governor Rauf Aregbesola, at the Government House in Oke-Fia, Osogbo.
The new development was contrary to reports in some newspapers (Nigerian Tribune not included) that the corpse of the first class Oba had arrived Ile-Ife two weeks ago and kept in the palace for final burial rites.
It was gathered that the remains of Oba Sijuwade would be brought into the country in a chartered flight early today, “accompanied by a few prominent Ife indigenes.”
Prince Sijuwade, addressing journalists at the Government House, Osogbo, said the body would be buried by 10.00 a.m. tomorrow.
Though, Aregbesola had been expecting the delegation at the Government House by 2.00 p.m., they did not arrive until 4.15 p.m.
The Obalufe of Iromo and Vice Chairman of Ife Traditional Council, Oba Solomon Omisakin, who led the traditional council to the Government House, told the governor that the king had joined his ancestors.
Alongside the Lowa of Ile-Ife, High Chief Joseph Ijaodola, he emphasised that the delay in the announcement of Ooni’s death was due to strict adherence to Yoruba tradition on announcing the death of a monarch.
Omisakin stressed that it was imperative for the council to lay to rest the rumours making the rounds on the death or otherwise of the late Ooni of Ife, saying the announcement of the death of the monarch was not one that would be made in the market place or any other social gathering.
He asked for the support and cooperation of the governor and government of Osun for peace and progress of Ife Kingdom and Yorubaland in general.
“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.
“The news of the transition to glory of any Yoruba monarch is not a pedestrian news that one can just announce at a market place or a social gathering.
“On behalf of the entire Sijuwade family, the Ife Traditional Council and the entire Ife indigenes, we hereby announce the passing on to glory of His Imperial Majesy, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse the II,” Omisakin stated.
Responding, Aregbesola recounted the last message he received from the late monarch on the July 23, when he briefed him of his medical trip abroad.
He described Oba Sijuwade as a person who, during his life time, did everything to uplift the Yoruba tradition the world over.
“It should be on record that during his life time, he showcased and left the traces of Yoruba tradition anywhere he visited across the globe,” he said.
In the course of his address, Aregbesola read verbatim the message the late Ooni sent to him when he was going for 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 hand of God and under His continuous guidance,” the text message read.
“This was the last conversation I had with the late monarch, we dearly miss his charisma, demonstration of loyalty and his position as a rallying point for all Yoruba people and a bridge builder across all ethnic groups in Nigeria.
“Indeed, he was a great man and he left an indelible mark on the sand of history, not only in Yorubaland, Nigeria, but across the world,” the governor said.
The briefing was also attended by Ooni’s daughter, Aderounmu Fadeyi and members of the Traditional Council.
It will be recalled that the monarch, who was flown out in an air ambulance, died on July 28.
But the news of his death, which was immediately made known on the social media, was outrightly debunked by palace chiefs, led by the Lowa of Ife, Oba Joseph Ijaodola, who insisted that the Ooni was alive, hale and hearty.
Oba Ijaodola had also led top Ife chiefs in a meeting with Aregbesola on July 29, where he restated that Oba Sijuwade was not only alive, but also in sound health. – Nigerian Tribune.
