ONE of Nigeria’s foremost traditional rulers, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who died in a London hospital recently, will be buried amidst a flurry of tributes in the ancient city today.
The Ife Traditional Council confirmed the passage and burial date of the respected monarch to the Osun State Government on Wednesday, following initial unofficial reports of his demise.
The passage of this highly revered king whose coronation in December 1980 promoted peaceful co-existence in the “cradle of the Yoruba race”, has expectedly been eliciting glowing tributes from across the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari, in his condolences to the Sijuwade family and the people of Ile-Ife, noted that the “Ooni will be 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.”
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, observed that Nigeria has lost one of its most revered traditional rulers, while the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, affirmed that he left indelible marks in the sands of time, not only in Yorubaland and Nigeria, but across the world.
Oba Sijuwade was apparently well prepared for the office of Ooni before he received his staff of office in 1980. His education was wide and deep, and his exposure to other cultures further enhanced and widened his horizon, not only in relation to the stool but also to his ability to establish and maintain good relationships with his counterparts in other parts of Nigeria and beyond.
He was equally exposed to various fields of human endeavor. He was a reporter at the Nigerian Tribune, and later a sales executive, before he joined the Leventis Group as Sales Manager for Leventis Motors.
A highly talented man, his performance was such that when the Western Nigerian Government wanted to lure him into its service, Leventis reportedly insisted on an undertaking that he would later be released to return to its service.
Oba Sijuwade was an accomplished businessman who deployed his wealth of experience to the service of his people and the country. At his coronation, he was already a wealthy man. He immediately turned his attention to the development of Ile-Ife. Indeed, in his inaugural speech, he appealed to all Ife people to invest in the city and make it a showpiece.
His trade mark of development is written all over the city today. One of his last acts was getting the Obafemi Awolowo University to suspend a strike. In 2010, he mediated in the ownership tussle between Oyo and Osun States over the ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University.
Oba Sijuwade, who was born on January 1, 1930, was a king extrordinaire. He brought so much honor and prestige to the stool, and ensured peace with neighbours of Ile-Ife. His ability to ensure peaceful relations all around him testifies to his administrative sagacity. He bestowed titles on numerous Nigerians and was an inspiration to all Yorubas at home and abroad. He was considered a man of peace. Indeed, during his reign, the decades-long animosity between the Ife and Modakeke people was finally settled.
Sijuwade, who ushered in a glorious era in Ile-Ife, effortlessly maintained the dignity of the stool for about 35 years. The Ife Kingdom will now begin a search for a new ruler. We wish the town well in this endeavour.
We condole with the Ile-Ife Royal Family, the people of Ife and Osun State, and all Nigerians on the passage of Oba Sijuwade. The greatest tribute that can be paid to the late king, who was a son of Oba Adereti Sijuwade, is to sustain his many laudable legacies and ensure that peace continues to reign in his domain.
21:06
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