- Osinbajo, Aregbesola, Fayose, Oshiomhole, Gani Adams, others bid him goodbye
- Whereabouts of ‘Abobaku’ still unknown
Eminent Nigerians, including sons and daughters of Ile-Ife in Osun State yesterday paid their last respect to the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade (Olubuse 11), as they converged on the ancient town for the interdenominational service held in honour of the late monarch.
Some of the personalities who witnessed the occasion were Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; former military governor of the Old Western Region, General Adeyinka Adebayo; General Alani Akinriade, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; former Osun State Deputy governor, Chief Iyiola Omisore; a representative of Ogun State Government, Lanre Banjo; Mr. Dele Momodu; Dr. Dosunmu Awolowo, Kola Awolowo, Admiral Akin Aduwo, and Senator Jide Omoworare among others. Also, all the late monarch’s children were all seated, while his wives, Oloris Monisola, Ladun, Odunola, Linda were all in the front roll at the venue of the event.However, the state Governor, rauf Aregbesola, was absent. He was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti. The town witnessed an influx of notable politicians, traditional rulers and members of the diplomatic corps.
The town, which stood still for the monarch witnessed heavy human and vehicular traffic on major roads and streets. A combined team of regular and mobile policemen, including officers from the Nigerian Army, Civil Defence Corps, State Security Service, plainclothes security men, Air Force and Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and local vigilante groups from the town and suburbs were all in attendance to control the huge crowd who turned up for the programme. In his short speech at the occasion, Vice-President Osinbajo described the late monarch as a good custodian of culture and tradition and good representative of the Yorubas.
He said he lived a fulfilled life, advocating that his successor must work towards advancing the advancement of the Yoruba the more. “His lifetime was a totality of total transformation of his domain and humanity and what he had done would continue to be a reference point in Nigeria. People of Osun State, mostly the people of Ile- Ife should not mourn but give glory to God Almighty for a life well spent by the king.”
In his sermon, the Bishop of Ile-Ife Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Right Reverend Oluranti Odubogun, called on Nigerians to see their sojourn on earth as an opportunity to serve God and humanity. Ministering at the service also, the Bishop of Ile Ife, the Very Reverend Oluranti Odubogun, said death was inevitable, hence the need for man to always prepare at all times. Represented by the Dean of the Cathedral, Reverend Olusola Akanbi, the cleric who noted that death had no respect for anybody irrespective of status and influence, described Oba Sijuwade as a devoted Christian who spent his life to serve God and humanity.
In his sermon entitled: “How are the Mighty falling”, Akanbi said what had a beginning must have an end and maintained that, there is time for everything in life and charged those in attendance to move closer to God through the Lord Jesus Christ who was the only way, the truth and the life to the existence of every creature in life.”
In his own sermon, the Muslim cleric of Ife Central Mosque, Alhaji Busirat Adedeji Balogun, said the late monarch had taken the fame of the Yoruba to the continent. He charged people to always remember the time they would not be able to raise their hands and legs again in life and advised all to be God’s friends at all time and work according to his precepts.
Also, Aregbeaola said: “His lifetime was a life of great service to Nigeria and humanity and as the Permanent Chairman of Osun State Council of Obas, he ran his administration with exemplary leadership that would continue to be a reference point in the state and Nigeria in general. Sijuwade would continue to be celebrated for his service to humanity, Osun State and Nigeria at large.” In his appreciation remark, the eldest son, Tokunbo Sijuwade, prayed that God would see them through their journey back to their different destinations.
Speaking also, Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, said the place of the late Ooni of Ife in the history of the Yoruba race was guaranteed for posterity by his enormous contributions to the upliftment of the Yoruba people in the global stage. Fayose, in a tribute in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, said: “Oba Okunade Sijuwade though born into royalty did not allow that to get to his head as he carved a niche for himself in the business world. While not forgetting his affluent background, he delved to the business world early in life.“Worthy of commendation is Oba Sijuwade’s large heart. He elevated a number of chiefs in his domain to Obaship status and did not consider that as making them his rivals.”
His Edo State counterpart, Adams Oshiomhole, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, said: “The transition of the Ooni, the custodian of the rich history and tradition of the Yoruba people, is a colossal loss not only to the people of Ile Ife, but also the people of the State of Osun, the Yoruba race and the entire nation.” The National Coordinator of OPC and Convener of the Oodua Progressives Union (OPU), Chief Gani Adams, described Sijuwade’s death as a monumental and irreparable loss to the Oduduwa race. He said: “The enigmatic and wondrous deity of the Yoruba in human form, Oonirisa Olubuse II has completed his mission as assigned to him by the owners of the world.
“Ooni Olubuse has gone to eternally dine and wine with his ancestors and to give the feedback to those who sent him to tender their stead. The biggest elephant has transited to the vault. The Iroko tree has disappeared from the forest, not to be seen or heard again, except in dreams, trance and revelation of the corpus! “It is sad, but not tragic that he returned home at 85. Ooni Olubuse was able, not only to sustain the royal majestic and reverence left behind by his predecessors, but also added colour, panache and cultivated tremendous respect to the stool of Ooni of Ife, the cradle of the world.”
Also, Ifaloba Ifagbenro from the traditional circle, describes the late Ooni as a good representative of tradition and culture. Meanwhile, the interdenominational service held in honour of Sijuwade in front of the Ife palace yesterday was not witnessed by traditional royal fathers in the state while many chiefs from the royal circle where “Abobaku”, the person to “die with the king” is being appointed reportedly absent from the event for fear of revisiting the age long tradition of the town on their household. Only noticed royal fathers at the event were those made kings by the deceased in his domain. Reason for the absence of the royal fathers could not be ascertained as at the time of filing in this report but this might not be unconnected with the Yoruba tradition that, they do not attend burial ceremony.
Saturday Telegraph investigations revealed that though, it has been cancelled in the tradition of the town, many people in the affected family said to have made themselves unavailable in the name of caution and wisdom. In the tradition before it was abolished, whenever, a king dies, ”Abobaku” must die with him but due to tradition, Oba Sijuwade reportedly put an end to it to the extent that the title of Abobaku has been cancelled and replaced with another name. Sources stated that, though, the position is still in existence and the families occupying it are still being given the titles, the title has changed to convince them that truly, ”Abobaku” is no more in existence in the town.
However, there is likely to be a final meeting to soften the passage of the monarch to his transition by the Isoro Fraternity Group overnight. Sources at the palace said some traditional lamp would be lit with fire while the group would be in possession with the corpse of the monarch for the final farewell.
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