Former
Osun state governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, on Thursday, recalled
his relationship with the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and
described him as a father and a mentor, a nationalist and a rare
patriot.
Prince Oyinlola, in a statement issued in Osogbo, the state capital, on Thursday, described the passage of the monarch as a personal loss to him given the very close relationship he had with the monarch before, during and after his governorship of Osun State.
"He was a father-figure, a mentor and a confidant. From the moment I showed interest in politics in 2001 till the very last day, he did not stop giving support to me and my government. He believed so much in the development of his domain, Ile Ife, Osun State, Yorubaland and Nigeria.
"A measure of his commitment to the peace and progress of his people and of the nation was the resolution of the over a century old Ife-Modakeke crisis. Oba Sijuwade believed in and worked very closely with my government to achieve that feat. History will record him as the Ooni whose time enduring peace returned to Ifeland.
"Given my closeness to him, I am also well placed to attest to his concern and commitment to the unity and development of Yorubaland in the context of a united Nigeria. He was a Yoruba nationalist and a Nigerian patriot.
" As a businessman, he made money and spent it quietly on the development of his people and for the needy. Oba Sijuwade ruled his people with passion and left no one in doubt that he was the Arole Oodua. He lived well and, he, very well, through deliberate actions, achieved his earthly mission of further elevating the throne of Oduduwa.
"His passage has definitely robbed us of a father-figure whose counsel and support in critical situations were very invaluable," Prince Oyinlola declared.
While commiserating with Oba Sijuwade's immediate family and the Ile Ife community on the death of the monarch, Prince Oyinlola prayed for the repose of his soul and protection for all he left behind.
Prince Oyinlola, in a statement issued in Osogbo, the state capital, on Thursday, described the passage of the monarch as a personal loss to him given the very close relationship he had with the monarch before, during and after his governorship of Osun State.
"He was a father-figure, a mentor and a confidant. From the moment I showed interest in politics in 2001 till the very last day, he did not stop giving support to me and my government. He believed so much in the development of his domain, Ile Ife, Osun State, Yorubaland and Nigeria.
"A measure of his commitment to the peace and progress of his people and of the nation was the resolution of the over a century old Ife-Modakeke crisis. Oba Sijuwade believed in and worked very closely with my government to achieve that feat. History will record him as the Ooni whose time enduring peace returned to Ifeland.
"Given my closeness to him, I am also well placed to attest to his concern and commitment to the unity and development of Yorubaland in the context of a united Nigeria. He was a Yoruba nationalist and a Nigerian patriot.
" As a businessman, he made money and spent it quietly on the development of his people and for the needy. Oba Sijuwade ruled his people with passion and left no one in doubt that he was the Arole Oodua. He lived well and, he, very well, through deliberate actions, achieved his earthly mission of further elevating the throne of Oduduwa.
"His passage has definitely robbed us of a father-figure whose counsel and support in critical situations were very invaluable," Prince Oyinlola declared.
While commiserating with Oba Sijuwade's immediate family and the Ile Ife community on the death of the monarch, Prince Oyinlola prayed for the repose of his soul and protection for all he left behind.
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