Why we delayed announcement of Ooni’s death – Council

From left: Prince Adetokunbo Sijuwade; the Obalufe of Iremo, Oba Solomon Folorunso Omisakin and Lowa of Ile-Ife, Chief Joseph Ijaodola, during the Ife Traditional Council’s visit to inform the governor of the demise of the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, at Government House, Osogbo yesterday.

The leader of the Ife Royal Traditional Council delegation, Oba Solomon Omisakin, who visited Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola in Osogbo yesterday to announce the death of the Oooni of Ife, Oba Sijuwade, said the delay was in strict adherence to Yoruba tradition.
At the official announcement in Government House yesterday, two weeks after the Oba’s death in a London hospital, Omisakin, the Obalufe of Iremo Quarters, said: “The Ife Traditional Council has come here to brief the governor about the passing on of our royal majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Ooni of Ife. The announcement must follow tradition, that is why it is coming at this time. The news of the transition of any Yoruba monarch is not pedestrian news that can just be announced anyhow. On behalf of the entire Sijuade family, the Ife Royal Traditional Council and the entire Ife indigenes, we hereby announce the passing on to glory of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuade, Olubuse the II”.
Responding, Aregbesola recalled that the late monarch briefed him on his medical trip abroad on July 23. He noted that Oba Sijuade during his life time did everything humanly possible to uplift the Yoruba tradition around the world.
Aregbesola read a message the late Ooni sent to him when he was going for his last medical trip abroad.
“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 who left an indelible mark on the sands of history, not only in Yorubaland and Nigeria but across the world,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, the Oro Cult shut down Ife town from 9:00am to 4:00pm yesterday as residents stayed in-doors in compliance with the order of the Awara of Iwara Ife, Oba Layi Adereti, the Chief Priest of Ile-Ife.
Schools, markets, banks and other institutions were shut while the streets were empty throughout the duration of the curfew.
In a tribute, former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, described Oba Sijuwade as a very eminent citizen whose death would be felt not only by his people but the entire nation.  “We can, nevertheless, be consoled from knowing that Oba Sijuwade has gone to rest in the bosom of his maker and left behind him a good name and worthy legacy.
Indeed, Erin wo. As we bid farewell to this great Nigerian, let us rededicate ourselves to the values he cherished and lived by such as love of the country and community as well as the readiness to help the less-fortunate at all times”.