Passage
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Nigerians eulogise Okunade Sijuwade, Ooni of Ife who died in July
FOR about three weeks after his passing, the Ife Traditional Council of Chiefs, denied the death of Okunade Sijuwade, Ooni of Ife. But on Wednesday, August 12, and in line with the tradition, the chiefs led by Solomon Omisakin, were at the Osun State Government House in Osogbo, to break the news of Ooni’s death to Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
Adetokunbo Sijuwade, eldest son of the late Ooni, was in company of the chiefs as they finally confirmed the obvious and formally announced the demise of Sijuwade. He was 85.
Since the death was announced, condolences and tributes have been pouring in to eulogise the late royal father. President Muhammadu Buhari, who expressed sadness over the news of the transition of Sijuwade, said the late monarch’s place in history was assured.
In a statement by Femi Adesina, his special adviser on media and publicity, President Buhari extended his condolences to the late Ooni’s family, his friends, associates and subjects, as well as the government and people of Osun State.
The president said he joined Nigerians in mourning the revered traditional ruler, whom he said, would be long remembered and celebrated for his worthy service for 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.”
The statement said in part: “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 would comfort all who mourned Sijuwade and bring forth a worthy successor to take his place on the ancient throne of Ile-Ife.
Governor Aregbesola, in his reaction, 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.”
Aregbesola recalled the last message he received from the late monarch on his medical trip abroad on July 23. Reading 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 described Sijuwade as a monarch, who during his lifetime, did everything humanly possible to promote the Yoruba tradition across the globe. He said it was during his reign, the late monarch showcased and left the traces of Yoruba tradition everywhere he visited.
“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,” he said.
According to the governor, the Ooni embodied the best in traditional pomp and pageantry and described his passing as a sad loss to humanity.
In his condolence message, Bukola Saraki, Senate president, in a statement signed by Sanni Onogu, his chief press secretary, said he was particularly saddened by the death of the Ooni at a time when the country was in dire need of his wise counsel, respected interventions and patriotic stand on issues of national significance.
While describing the passing Sijuwade as a “national loss”, Saraki commiserated with members of the Olubuse royal family, people of Ile Ife, government and people of Osun State and the entire Yorubaland. He said the late royal father represented the best of Yoruba traditions and customs. The Senate president also described the late Ooni as a royal father who would remain dear to his heart for a long time because of his deliberate efforts to promote Yoruba culture and tradition.
“On behalf of my family and the National Assembly, I convey my most heartfelt and sincere condolences to the royal family, people and Government of Osun State, the entire Yoruba race and Nigerians as a whole on the departure of the foremost traditional ruler, the Arole Oodua”, Saraki stated.
Similarly commiserating with the members of the Sijuwade’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 a statement by Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, executive director of the foundation, said the passage of the monarch came as a shock. Describing his 35 years on the throne as glorious, the Awolowo foundation noted that Sijuwade 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,” the foundation said.
Nevertheless, it commiserated with the members of the royal family, the entire Yoruba race all over the world and the entire nation, asking them to take solace in the fact that he lived well and left a precious heritage of which all could be forever proud.
A lot of messages have also been pouring in from different parts of the world to commend the Ooni and commensurate with the family and the nation.
Sijuwade, a foremost traditional ruler, died at Saint Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London, United Kingdom, UK, where he was receiving treatment for undisclosed ailment on Tuesday, July 28.
The late traditional ruler was flown out of the country on Friday, July 24, in an air ambulance from Lagos for treatment at the London hospital when his health reportedly suffered a relapse.
He ascended the throne as the 50th Oba in the ancient city in 1980, taking the regal name Alayeluwa Olubuse II upon his installation. He later dropped “Alayeluwa” from his name, saying that only God is fit to be called “Alayeluwa.” Alayeluwa in Yoruba language means omniscience.
But he was crowned on December 6, 1980 at a ceremony that was graced by notable personalities, including Ado Bayero, the late Emir of Kano, Omon’oba Nedo Uku Akpolopolo, Oba of Benin, the Amayanabo of Opobo and the Olu of Warri. The Queen Elizabeth of England sent representatives.
Sijuwade was born on January 1, 1930 in Ile-Ife to the Ogboru Ruling House. He was the grandson of Ooni Sijuwade Adelekan Olubuse I.
He was educated at Abeokuta Grammar School, Ogun State and Oduduwa College in Ile-Ife.
After working for three years in his father’s business and another two-year stint with the Nigerian Tribune, the late Ooni enrolled at the Northampton College in the UK to study Business Management.
At 30, he was already a manager in Leventis, a Greek-Nigerian conglomerate and by 1963, he was sales director of National Motor, as state-owned company in Lagos.
After spotting a business opportunity during a 1964 visit to the Soviet Union, he formed a company to distribute Soviet-built vehicles and equipment in Nigeria, which became the nucleus of a widespread business empire.
He also invested in real estate in his Ile-Ife country home. By the time Sijuwade was crowned Ooni in 1980, he had become a wealthy man.
The late Sijuwade, a Christian, attended the Annual General Meeting, AGM, of the Foursquare Gospel Church, where he declared himself a “full member” of the church in November 2009.
The remains of the late monarch were flown into the country on Thursday, August 13, for interment on Friday, August 14.
— Aug 24, 2015 @ 01:00 GMT
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