Tradition had its way yesterday, with
the Ife Traditional Council breaking the news of the death of the Ooni
of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Olubuse II.
He was 85.
The announcement ended three weeks of
denial by the chiefs, who had insisted that the frontline royal father
was hale and hearty – contrary to the news of his death in the media.
The development attracted condolences
and tributes from prominent Nigerians, including President Muhammadu
Buhari, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the Obafemi Awolowo
Foundation, among others.
Buhari, who expressed sadness over the
news of the transition of Oba Sijuwade, said the late monarch’s place in
history was assured.
Aregbesola, who was the first to be
briefed by the Ife chiefs, said the era of the late Ooni brought
prestige, honour and dignity to the traditional institution, describing
him “as a study and model in royalty.”
Commiserating with the members of the
Oba’s immediate family, the Yoruba race and the country, the Obafemi
Awolowo Foundation said it was taking solace in the fact that the Ooni
lived well and left a precious heritage worthy of emulation.
In line with tradition, the chiefs, led
by t he Obalufe, Solomon Omisakin, were at the Osun State Government
House in Osogbo to break the news of Ooni’s death to Aregbesola.
Obalufe told the governor that Oba Sijuwade has joined his ancestors.
The Obalufe explained that the delay in announcing Ooni’s death was due to strict adherence to Yoruba tradition.
But he said it was imperative for the
council to lay to rest the rumours on the death of Oba Sijuwade, adding
that the announcement of the monarch’s death could not be made in the
market place or in a social gathering.
The Obalufe solicited for the
cooperation of the governor and the state government for peace and
progress of Ife Kingdom and Yorubaland.
He said: “We, the chiefs in 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 death
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 pedestrian news that one can just announce at a market
place or a social gathering.
“The announcement of the death of a
great man like our royal monarch is great news that must be announced in
a grand style. 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 Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade,
Olubuse the II.”
The late monarch’s first, son Prince
Adetokunbo, also announced the demise of his father, stating that his
remains would be buried tomorrow by 10am.
Adetokunbo, who was in the entourage of
the chiefs, told the governor that the body of the late monarch will be
flown in from London, where he died, today ahead of tomorrow’s
interment.
Responding, Aregbesola recounted the last message he received from the late monarch on his medical trip abroad on July 23.
The governor described Oba Sijuwade as a
monarch, who during his lifetime, did everything humanly possible to
promote the Yoruba tradition across the globe.
According to the governor, it should be
on record that during his time, he showcased and left the traces of
Yoruba tradition everywhere he visited.
Aregbesola, who had promised to wait for
the news on the demise of the Ooni before making public the last
telephone conversation between him and the late Ooni made good his
promise.
Quoting from the text message verbatim,
the governor said: “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 governor further said: “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.”
In a statement after the chiefs broke
the news to him, the governor said in a statement: “I, Governor Rauf
Adesoji Aregbesola, join other sons daughters of Osun to mourn the
translation of this highly celebrated monarch, whose era brought
prestige, honour and dignity to traditional institution in our clime,
his reign brought tremendous development and increased global attention
to his domain.
“Ooni Sijuade was a study and model in
royalty. He embodied the best in traditional pomp and pageantry. 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 is
huge.
“A sad loss though, we are, as a people,
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.
“On behalf of my family, the great
people of the Land of the Virtuous, I extend our heart-felt condolences
to the immediate royal family of Oba Sijuade, the ruling houses of
Ile-Ife, all the princes and princesses of Ile Ife, royalties far and
near, and Yoruba people of the world. Ajanaku sun bi Oke, Erin Wo.”
Earlier at Ile-Ife, traditional rites
leading to the formal announcement of the final passage of the Ooni were
performed by some traditional chiefs in the ancient town.
Very few people and vehicles were seen
on major streets of Ile-Ife, from Sabo to Moore, Ilode, Enuwa, Iremo,
Lagere to Ibadan Road.
Markets, shops, banks were under lock and key. Only few filling stations opened for business.
Along the Old Ede Road at the Obafemi
Awolowo University Campus area, students of the institution remained on
campus in compliance with an order from one of the Ife High Chiefs that
there would be restriction on movement between 9am and 4pm yesterday.
Few minutes after ten in the morning,
about eight traditional chiefs, known as the “Isoros’ in white garments
were seen with one of them carrying a clay pot at Enuwa Square, few
metres away from the palace.
They marched in a procession to and fro outside the palace gate.
The tradition cutting of the leaves of some trees within the palace was later done by the chiefs, it was learnt.
The leaves’ cutting preceded the trip by the Ife chiefs to Osogbo.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on
Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari expressed sadness
over the Ooni’s transition.
He extended condolences to the late
Ooni’s family, his friends, associates and subjects, as well as the
government and people of Osun State.
The statement reads: He (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.
“President Buhari believed that Oba
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.
“As they mourn his passing, President
Buhari urges the Ooni’s family, friends, associates and subjects to be
consoled by the knowledge that he lived a very fulfilled life, and has
left worthy legacies for his successors to build upon.”
He prayed that God Almighty will comfort
all who mourn Oba Sijuwade and bring forth a worthy successor to take
his place on the ancient throne of Ile-Ife.
In a statement by its Executive
Director, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation
said the passage of the monarch came as a shock.
“The statement reads: “We received with
shock and utter dismay, news of the sudden departure from this earthly
realm of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, the
Ooni of Ife, after 35 glorious years on the throne of his ancestors.
“Kabiyesi ascended the throne better
prepared than most for the uniquely critical leadership role of the Ooni
in Yoruba land. He had a formidable geo-political and social network,
nationally and internationally. He possessed considerable material
wealth. And he possessed ample personal attributes of kindness,
generosity and tolerance, amongst many others, to make his reign the
outstanding success that it turned out to be.
“We commiserate with the members of
Kabiyesi’s immediate family, the entire Yoruba race at home and in the
Diaspora, and indeed, our nation Nigeria. We take solace in the fact
that he lived well and has left a precious heritage of which we can be
forever proud. May his great and kind soul rest in perfect peace.”
The senator representing Osun East
Senatorial District, Babajide Omoworare, Senator Felix Ogunwale, Speaker
of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam and Chief Abiola
Ogundokun, also mourned and commiserated with the family.
No comments:
Post a Comment