The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, has died at the age of 85 in a London hospital.
The monarch was said to have died around 5pm on Tuesday (today).
Relevant officials, who spoke on Tuesday night, however, refused to confirm the monarch’s death, saying they did not want to be quoted on the death of the foremost traditional ruler, who was said to have passed away on Tuesday.
“I have heard but please, I don’t want to be quoted on this. People have been calling but nothing has been made public. You see, another person is calling me from London,” the source said before picking the other call.
Another source, who spoke on condition of anonymity to our correspondent, explained that Oba Sijuwade was flown out of the country from Ibadan about five days ago in an unconscious state.
“Kabiyesi was flown out of the country about five days ago in an air ambulance. He was unconscious; his situation was critical.
“As a matter of fact, some people have been weeping in the palace since the weekend because of his situation when he was flown out from Ibadan in that air ambulance,” he said.
Oba Sijuwade became the fiftieth traditional ruler or Ife in 1980.
Just last week, the Ooni resolved the industrial dispute between the management of the Obafemi Awolowo University and some staff of the institution, who had embarked on an indefinite strike.
Details later…
It is time we begin to speak some truth about the dead in our clime ... Ooni represented all that is wrong in leadership...once again, we have seen that death is the ultimate boss.. May God forgive him.
ReplyDeleteYou really need help.... Fast!
DeleteYou spoke the truth , I don't know why Nigerians are blind to the truth .... at anon
ReplyDeleteRest in peace Kabiyesi. All of us will one day bow out. Don't let us speak bad about the dead
ReplyDeleteAs a traditional ruler, the Ooni of Ife stood and supported the wrong things in our national history. At the most difficult period for ordinary Nigerians, Oba Sijuwade stood with corruption, trumping up support for Goodluck Jonathan's re-election. At the end of the day, all the millions of dollars shared truly became vanity! What makes a man great if he cannot vocalize the truth at the hour of peril? We all should be grateful that the Awujale of Ijebu Kingdom (Oba Sikiru Adetona), and the upright Oba of Benin (Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa I) demonstrated good judgement and stood with the ordinary people of Nigeria when it mattered most. The case of the late Ooni of Ife should be a good lesson for those on position of authority, to daily apply themselves towards helping to make life more bearable for their fellow Nigerians. May his soul rest in peace though.
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