Modernity Clashes with Tradition: Ife Chiefs Insist Ooni is ‘Alive’

Modernity characterised by the social media and citizen journalism clashed with Nigerian tradition, when the Royal Traditional Council of Ile-Ife categorically denied news reports of the death of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, adding that the paramount Yoruba traditional ruler was “alive and well”, and preparing for his son’s wedding this weekend.

Despite the denial, disbelieving residents of Ife and its environs thronged the Oba’s palace, which was shut to the public, to sympathise with the traditional council and his family, even as his first son, Prince Adetokunbo (Tokunbo) Sijuwade, arrived London on board a British Airways flight yesterday morning.  Tokunbo had departed Lagos Tuesday night the minute he got word of his father’s “condition”.

He joined other members of the family comprising Olori Mori Sijawade, the Ooni’s most senior wife; Olori Odun Sijuwade; Olori Ladun Sijuwade; Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, who had a daughter – Oyinade Ademide – for the Ooni; and his nephew Prince Rasak Adewole.
Other children from across the world and Nigeria, as well as close family members had also all converged in London wednesday.

Upon his arrival, Tokunbo, took full charge of the situation in London, and all members of the family were said to have deferred to him as the their new head.

However, addressing journalists in the House of Chiefs located within the premises of Ile-Oodua Palace of the Ooni, the Lowa of Ife, Oba Joseph Ijaodola, said the reports in the media that the monarch had died in a London hospital from an undisclosed ailment was untrue.

Also speaking, the Secretary, Royal Traditional Council of Ife, the Ladin of Ife, High Chief Adetoye Odewole, said the Ooni was “hale and hearty” and even spoke to the chiefs on the phone a few hours earlier.

He said that those behind the death story were enemies of Ife, adding: “As I speak with you, chiefs have not heard anything like that. This is not the first time such a rumour will be carried about our father.
“They did it in 1984, also in 2004 and now, these people are coming up with another rumour. Oba Sijuade remains in a sound state of health.”
Commenting in a similar vein, Chairman of Ife Development Board, Prof. Muib Opeloye, said Ife as a town with rich tradition has its way of managing its affairs.

Opeloye maintained that the Ooni was preparing for his son’s wedding and urged the public not to panic.
Despite their assurances to the public, the entrance of the Ooni’s palace was firmly shut to visitors and only newsmen, chiefs and relations of Oba Sijuade were allowed into the premises.

Many indigenes and residents of Ife had converged on the palace but were prevented from entering by the palace guards.

The Osun State Government on its part, kept mum on the death of the Ooni, as the state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, did not issue a statement nor did he pay a visit to the ancient town of Ife to confirm the truth of the traditional monarch’s death.
Also, at the family house of the Ooni, the Ogbooru Olubuse compound, there was no sign that the monarch had died as people were seen going about their normal duties.

The denial by the traditional council and refusal to confirm his death by the state government, notwithstanding, a renowned Christian cleric, Mr. Toluwase Akeredolu, said if indeed the Ooni was dead, it meant he died as a born again Christian, having confessed his sins recently.

Akeredolu said he was privileged to have ministered to the monarch a few weeks ago, adding that the Ooni, a staunch Christian, confessed all his sins to God after the ministration.

The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) pastor, who hails from Ido-Ani in Ondo State, said he lived as a youth  in Ile-Ife and got to know Oba Sijuwade during a revival programme he organised in the ancient town.

He recalled that the monarch, at one of the last crusades he attended publicly, announced his acceptance of Jesus Christ as his Lord and saviour.

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