First-class monarch Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Okunade Sijuwade was interred in Ile-Ife on Friday, 14th August 2015. Eminent personalities stormed Ile-Ife for the burial. Below is a blow-by-blow account of how the highly-revered king was buried:
WIVES & CHILDREN NOT TO ENTER OONI’S ROOM/SEE HIS CORPSE
As his the tradition in Ile-Ife, once the Ooni dies his wives and children are not allowed into his room. Also they must not set their eyes on his corpse before interment. If they did, such children and wives may die prematurely.According to the leader of the priests, Chief Apena Ogboni, Iledi Ooni, “As the corpse will be brought, it must be brought straight to us. Not all people can see it. As we are, we are not the ones to bury the remains , but they must bring the corpse to us so that all necessary rites would be done. Even, no child or wife of the monarch must see the corpse. Any child that sets his eyes on the remains could die suddenly. Only Lokore can see the corpse. It is not their property, it is the property of Ife people. If they do not bring the corpse to us, the corpse will not be buried.”
MILD DRAMA BETWEEN VICE PRESIDENT & AREGBESOLA’S AIDES
The intervention of some Ife elders stopped what could have been a big drama when the aides of Nigeria’s VP, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and those of the Osun governor(who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government). What caused friction was the seating arrangement. The VP’s aides insisted that there was no way their principal would have sat at the back of the governor. The issue was later settled and expectedly the VP sat in front.
3-FAITH SERMONS
Sermons were delivered by heads of 3 religions. First was the Bishop of Ife Diocese(Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Ranti Odubogun whose sermon was titled, “How are the mighty fallen. Odubogun took the Bible reading from II Sam. 1:19 and said the late Ooni brought fame and popularity during his days. In the Islamic exaltation, Alhaji Mufutau Yussuf, Mufashir of Ibadanland, highlighted the immeasurable contributions of the monarch to Islam and Ife, Yorubaland, and Nigeria as a whole. Before, Ifaloba, the representative of traditionalists spoke, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who came with a retinue of his aides at exactly 11:12am, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, all Christian and Islamic clerics all left leaving families and friends behind.
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OSINBAJO & AREGBESOLA EULOGIZED OONI
Nigeria’s VP Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in his tribute said, “Ooni as a title does not die. We are celebrating a happy end. Our Papa lived a wealthy life. If our father could steer the ship of Yoruba race successfully, he did well.” Governor Aregbesola who was represented by the Secretary to the state Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, described the monarch as a man who “excelled in social life, commerce, royalty and industry. He was a successful businessman. His life is worthy of celebration for the service to his community, the state and the nation at large in the last three decades”.
ROLL CALL
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; Secretary to Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; former Military Governor of the defunct Western Region, General Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd); former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Alani Akinrinade (ertd); Rear Admiral Akin Aduwo (rtd); former Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Bashir Awotorebo; President, IDB, Prof. Muheeb Opeloye; Senator Baju Bamgbetan; Prince Rasaki Adele Adewole; Prince Adegoke Sijuwade; Prince Adebayo Sijuwade; Prince Adedamola Aderemi; Revd. Mrs Omotola Oyediran; Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu; former Deputy Governor of the state Senator Iyiola Omisore: Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi; Chief Dele Momodu; Mr. Yemi Omisore; and Prof. Tale Omole.
OONI’S RESTING PLACE
Oba Okunade Sijuwade would be buried beside the immediate past Ooni, Oba Adesoji Aderemi.This is because the cemetery inside the palace where other Oonis were buried, was full, and this informed the decision to build a mausoleum inside the palace for Oba Aderemi. The mausoleum is said to be located at the rear end of the palace, and it is expected to be the final resting place of Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
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