The Ooni of Ife, a foremost traditional ruler in
Yoruba land, South Western Nigerian, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, is dead.
Oba Sijuwade died
in London, United Kingdom Tuesday evening, at the age 85, Ile-Ife sources
confirmed. The
late monarch was born on January 1, 1930. He reportedly fell critically sick
last week before he was flown to London.
Oba Sijuwade inherited the Ooni stool in 1980, becoming the 50th monarch of Ile-Ife regarded as the source of the Yoruba people.
Oba Sijuwade inherited the Ooni stool in 1980, becoming the 50th monarch of Ile-Ife regarded as the source of the Yoruba people.
While he lived, one of the defining aspects of his reign was rivalry with the
Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi, over supremacy claims.
In
February 2009, Mr. Sijuwade ended the Ife-Modakeke crisis, a crisis that led to
destruction of property, severance of family ties and loss of lives, following
his resolve to elevate Ogunsua of Modakeke to the status of an Oba.
The
late Ooni was said to be a successful and wealthy businessman before he mounted
the throne in 1980.
Also,
by the age of 30 he was a manager in Leventis, a Greek-Nigerian conglomerate.
In 1963 he became Sales Director of the state-owned National Motor in Lagos.
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