Adetokunbo, son of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, on Wednesday officially announced the death of the monarch, saying he would be buried on Friday.
Addressing newsmen at the Government Office in Osogbo, the younger Sijuwade said that the body of the late monarch would be flown in from London on Thursday and buried on Friday at 10 a.m.
Oba Solomon Omisakin, the Obalufe of Iromo and Vice Chairman of the Ife Traditional Council as well as High Chief Joseph Ijaodola, the Lowa of Ile-Ife, both corroborated what Sijuwade said.
They expressed gratitude to the people of Osun and prayed that God would provide another king who would excel as the late Ooni did.
The press briefing was also attended by the Ooni’s daughter, Mrs Aderounmu Fadeyi, and members of Ife Traditional Council.
Also speaking, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun said the “late Ooni represented the Yoruba nation and has done a lot in uplifting the traditional institution in the state.”
Aregbesola, who read the last text message he received from the Ooni at the briefing, said the late monarch informed him of his frail health, adding that he was travelling to London for treatment.
He described the death of the Ooni as a great loss to the state and the Yoruba race, stressing, however, that a king could not die in Yorubaland.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday extended sincere condolences to the late Ooni’s family, his friends, associates and subjects, as well as the government and people of Osun State on the monarch’s passage.
An Aso Rock statement says: “The President joins them in mourning the revered traditional ruler who will be long remembered and celebrated for his worthy service, over more than three decades, as the Chief Custodian of the traditions of the Yoruba and his invaluable contributions to the sustenance of the cultural heritage of his people within and outside Nigeria.
“President Buhari believes that Oba Sijuwade’s place in posterity has already been assured by his long and worthy service to his people and country as well as his notable contributions to the development of his community, state and country as a leading businessman, administrator and inspirational traditional ruler.
“As they mourn his passing, President Buhari urges the Ooni’s family, friends, associates and subjects to be consoled by the knowledge that he lived a very fulfilled life, and has left worthy legacies for his successors to build upon.
“He prays that God Almighty will comfort all who mourn Oba Sijuwade and bring forth a worthy successor to take his place on the ancient throne of Ile-Ife.”
