By Dapo Akinrefon

THE recent demise of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, has made Ile-Ife, the ancient town in Yoruba history,  a beehive of activities. It is no longer news that Ooni’s death has iluminated the once sleepy ancient town as people from all walks of life continue to throng the source of  Yoruba land. Oba Sijuwade’s larger than life personality, will no doubt rob off on the new Ooni. This is because the late Sijuwade, who ruled for 35 years, brought glamour and panache to the Ooni throne.

Entrance to the palace of the Ooni of Ife

Infact, his admirers posit that after his ascension to the throne, Oba Sjuwade was a worthy ambassador-at-large in Nigeria and a symbol of pride for the Yorubas. Before his ascension to the throne in 1980, the late Ooni had armed himself with the essential training needed as a prince. His training was essentially in Northampton and with the Leventis Group in Manchester in 1957.

In addition, he participated in  advanced business management training programmes  with companies in  Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Scotland, West Germany and Israel. Armed with the immense experience he acquired in these places, he returned to Nigeria a few years later to  launch a career in business. Shortly after he (Sijuwade) returned to Nigeria, he was appointed the Sales Manager of Leventis Motors in Western Nigeria, with its headquarters in Ibadan. By 1960, with Nigerian Independence, he became an adviser to the Leventis Group.

With his vast expereince in the business world, Sijuwade was able to attract investors to Ile-Ife. The late Ooni embarked on two major projects in Ile-Ife which turned out to be a wise decision both from a business angle and as a means of enhancing his image in his community. First, was the construction of a modern housing estate which he built in one of the quieter and newer parts of the town, which provided housing for senior staff of the Obafemi Awolowo University (formerly University of Ife), and helped relieve the University’s acute staff housing shortage.

It was for Sijuwade not only a business investment but a contribution to the development of the University and his home town. It was the same thinking that inspired his decision to build a first class motel for V.I.P. visitors to Ife, the Motel Royal. This also turned out to be a far-sighted decision because at his coronation a few years later, when the town played host to thousands of guests, the accommodation problem was not nearly as chaotic as it might have been.

Interestingly, during his lifetime, indigenes and non-indigenes had the opportunity of being conferred with chieftancy titles, at regular intervals. The list of conferees ranged from Presidents, former Presidents, former Vice Presidents, serving and former governors, philantrophists, entreprenuers, business moguls among others. For instance, a chieftancy conferment of Soko Adimula Obaninuola of The Source, was made on the President of the Republic of Benin, Dr Thomas Boni Yayi.

The list of conferrees remains endless Meanwhile, since the official announcement of his demise, condolences and tributes continue to pour in for the late monarch, who many consider as a foremost traditional ruler in Nigeria. Letters and visits from every nook and cranny have not stopped in honour of the late Ooni.

As preparation for his interment gathers steam that Friday, notable Nigerians, including the President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yussuf Sulaimon Lasun, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara State), Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) among other prominent Nigerians expressed their condolences to the government and people of Osun State over the demise of the Ooni of Ife.

The president said he joined Nigerians in mourning the revered traditional ruler, whom he said, would be long remembered and celebrated for his worthy service for 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.”

In a statement by Femi Adesina, his special adviser on media and publicity, President Buhari extended his condolences to the late Ooni’s family, his friends, associates and subjects, as well as the government and people of Osun State.

Place inposterity

The statement said in part: “President Buhari believed 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 prayed that God Almighty would comfort all who mourned Sijuwade and bring forth a worthy successor to take his place on the ancient throne of Ile-Ife.

The Senate, on its part, sent Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who himself was conferred with a chieftaincy title to deliver a condolence letter on the death of the traditional ruler. Also, in a show of honour, the House of Representatives at the plenary, observed a minute silence in honour of the late monarch.With Sijuwade exiting the scene, it is believed that a big vacuum has just been created, which indeed poses a great challenge for the incoming Ooni of Ife.