Nigerian Senate, Prominent Nigerians Mourn late Oni of Ife

The Senate is sending a high-powered delegation to commiserate with the family, people and government of Osun State over the demise of the Ooni of Ife.

Other prominent Nigerians are also   paying homage to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, as his remains are set to be interred today.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, his then deputy, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and others said the monarch lived a life worthy of emulation, adding that his legacies would endure forever.

Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa also mourned the late monarch.

Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Senate also yesterday took time out to pour encomium on the late monarch and described his death as a national loss.

The upper chamber also observed one minute silence in honour of the late Oba. This followed the adoption of a motion entitled “The apotheosis of his imperial Majesty Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Ooni of Ife”. The motion was brought pursuant to Order 42 and 52 of Senate Standing Rule by Senator Babajide Omoworare (Osun East.)

Omoworare, in the preamble to his lead debate, noted that few weeks ago it was rumoured that the “leopard” had gone back to the forest.

He said on Wednesday it was announced that the “leopard” had actually gone back to the forest; hence he decided to inform the Senate accordingly.

The Osun lawmaker said the Kabiyesi was born on January 1, 1930 into the Ogboru ruling house, Ilare, Ile-Ife in Osun State.

Omoworare said the late Oba Sijuwade attended Abeokuta Grammar School, under the well-known educationist, The Rev. I.O. Ransome Kuti.

The late Oba, Omoworare said, also attended Oduduwa College, Ile-Ife and proceeded to the United Kingdom to further his studies in Business Management.

 Omoworare added:” In his early life, Prince Okunade Sijuwade was conscious of his royal birth and pedigree, his carriage even in school was regal, one who was destined to wear the crown.

“As a successful business man, his company WAATECO was sole distributor of Soviet made vehicles, tractors and engineering equipment in Nigeria with a least 50 Russians on its staff and a dozen branches all over Nigeria.

“This small beginning marked the start of trade with the Soviet Union in Nigeria and for Prince Sijuwade the birth of a business empire that was to include at least 50 companies.”

Omoworare recalled that the late Oba Sijuwade ascended the throne on December 6, 1980 “and ever since he ascended the throne, Oba Sijuwade has been a worthy ambassador-at-large for Nigeria and a symbol of pride for the Yoruba race, not only in Nigeria but in Diaspora”.

He noted that knowingly or unknowingly, the deified monarch for mostly pursued the sustainability, unity and peaceful co-existence of every single component of the Nigeria nation in furtherance of Section 14(3) of the Constitution.

He said it was a fact that the Ooni, the former Emir of Kano and the former Obi of Onitsha, were referred to as the three musketeers who fought tooth and nail to bring the country together.

Omoworare observed that the late Oba Sijuwade was a great family man and highly revered in the Diaspora, especially in Cuba, Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago.

The late Oba, he said, received many national and international awards and decorations in honour and recognition of his various achievements which included, Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR), Keeper of the sea of Yoruba land, Honourable Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria, Former Honourable Chancellor, University of Technology, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, Docter of Literature (Honoris Causa) University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and Doctor of Civil Laws (Honoris Causa) Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

The lawmaker said the late royal father held the highest national honour of the Republic of Poland; Royal Belgian Distinction of Commander in the Order of the Crown; and Grand Commodore, Ohio State, USA.

Senators, Saraki mourn great king

SenatorBiodun Olujimi, who seconded Omoworare’s motion, and spoke glowingly and the Oba, describing him as a very distinguished Nigerian.

Senator Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West) said the death of Oba Sijuwade was a personal loss to him because of the special relationship the Oba shared with him.

Adamu said the late Oba was a special Nigerian, a great bridge builder across the country and a man who stood for the country always in all affairs.

The Nasarawa lawmaker said the late Oba Sijuwade reached out to the North, East and everywhere in the country.

“His Majesty, Oba Sijuwade has only stepped on a journey to meet his forefathers. He is on a journey to meet the Oodua himself,” Adamu said.

Senate Joseph Gbolahan Dada (Ogun West) also spoke glowingly about the Oba.

Saraki described the demise of the Oba as a monumental loss to the country. He said there was no doubt that Oba Sijuwade was a bridge builder, who contributed immensely to peace, unity and development of the country.

A statement by Saraki’s Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, said: “On behalf of my family and the National Assembly, I convey my most heartfelt and sincere condolences to the royal family, people and Government of Osun State, the entire Yoruba race and Nigerians as a whole on the departure of the foremost traditional ruler, the Arole Oodua.”

Tinubu: Ooni helped keep Nigeria together

Former Governor of Lagos State and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed sadness over the death of the monarch. He said the oba would be missed.

“Oba Sijuade will be missed but will be remembered as one of the foremost rulers in Nigeria and a powerful and influential custodian of the Yoruba culture whose influence reached beyond Nigeria to continental and international levels.”

Tinubu said the late Oba Sijuade was an embodiment of culture and tradition who made Yoruba race proud.  He was a nautical figure whose interventions in the political process helped to keep the country united.

Atiku: the oba’s legacy will endure forever

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the deceased Ooni of Ife as a traditional ruler whose lofty legacies will endure for generations.

The former Vice President, who is also the Aare Adimula of the Source, said in a condolence message released by his media office in Abuja  yesterday that Oba Sijuwade’s reign was epochal and in a class of its own.

“Oba Sijuwade’s 35 years reign on the royal stool of Ife is unquestionably a source of pride to every Yoruba son and daughter and everyone who cherishes the culture and tradition of the Yoruba people,” the Turaki Adamawa said.

According to him, “Oba Sijuwade’s wealth of experience in the corporate world, his wisdom and the royal candour he exuded combined with the historical pre-eminence of his stool made his reign a defining one as we knew it to be.

“His lofty legacies as the Ooni of Ife will endure for several generations after him. His depth in the richness of Yoruba’s culture and tradition will also remain a source of attraction not only for admirers of Yoruba ethos, but for scholars with bias for African cultures and royalties.”

The former Vice President also acknowledged that the demise of the Ooni of Ife is a loss not only to the royal family, people and government of Osun State, but Nigeria as a whole.

He prayed for the royal family to have the fortitude to bear the loss of the outstanding Oba (ti o wo’aja) who has gone to meet his ancestors and for peace to continue to reign in Ile-Ife.

He was a great monarch, says Amosun

Amosun described the exit of first-class Yoruba monarch and foremost traditional ruler as lamentable.

In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, the governor said the transition of the Chairman of the State of Osun Traditional Council is “ worthy of celebration, because his life truly ran its full course.”

“Oba Sijuwade was a great monarch. He joined his ancestors at a time when his wealth of experience in all spheres of life was mostly needed to guide the younger generation,” the governor said.

Amosun  commisserated with the  governments and  people of South West, particularly the State of Osun  and the traditional institutions in Nigeria on the loss of the highly revered king of Ile-Ife, the cradle and source of the Yoruba.

He urged them to take solace in the fact that the late paramount ruler led an exemplary life and “his regal footprints are endured on the sands of time.”

Amosun prayed for the eternal repose of the soul of the late king.

Ahmed: he bestrode traditional institution with panache

Ahmed described the late traditional ruler as an icon of International status who bestrode the traditional institution with candour and panache.

 In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, Ahmed said the passage of Ooni marked a glorious close of a glowing chapter in the tradition and culture of the Yoruba nation.

Ahmed noted that the late Ooni would be sorely missed not only by the people of Ile Ife, Osun State but the entire people of Nigeria.

 He prayed God to grant the departed soul eternal rest, the family of the deceased, the people of Ile Ife and Osun State in general the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Fayemi: he was a man of love

Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode, described the late Oba Sijuwade as a highly respected traditional ruler who had and demonstrated immeasurable  love for his subjects as well as citizens within and outside his domain.

The former Ekiti Governor recalled his encounters with the late first class ruler both in and out of office, described him as great traditional ruler who was well endowed with wisdom. “Kabiyesi had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Yoruba tradition and history and had an amazing way of relating with both the low and mighty.”, he said.

Saying that Oba Sijuwade lived a glorious life, Dr Fayemi said the late monarch would be remembered for his patriotism, generosity and the rare manner he combined royalty with service and glamour. “He would surely be missed for his exemplary service to humanity as a bridge builder and as a great custodian of the Yoruba cultural heritage” he added.

Fayemi urged the children and the entire family of the late Oba Sijuwade to be consoled by the fact that the late first class monarch lived a good life, impacted lives and left  legacies of good name and honour.

“For Oba Sijuwade, it is a celebration of a life well spent in the service of humanity. I urge the children, family and the entire people of Ile-Ife not to mourn but rather celebrate the passage and legacies of this great monarch who gave his very best and a touch of class and royalty to every assignment he handled” the statement added.

Akala: he was citadel of culture, tradition

Former Governor of Oyo State Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala has described the late Ooni of Ife as a citadel of Yoruba tradition.

Describing the news of the Ooni’s passing as a great loss to the human race, Alao-Akala in a condolence message, said that Oba Sijuade was an epitome of remarkable virtues who lived a life worthy of emulation.

“He was known for his conviviality, camaraderie, sense of judgment and magnificence around the world. He was a unifying factor for the Yoruba race, particularly, he was a fount of knowledge, little wonder everybody across all the continents of the world took recourse in his judgement and magnificence. I am deeply saddened at the news of the Ooni’s passing but take solace in the fact that Baba lived a life worthy of emulation. He left behind an enviable legacy that outlives his generation.”

While commiserating with the family, the people of Osun State and Nigerians, he further remarked that the late Ooni was a man of goodness who ensured progress of the Yoruba race and nation at large.

He raised the royalty stake, says Adelabu

Ekiti State’s former deputy Governor Prof Modupe Adelabu described the exit of the monarch as a painful loss to Yoruba as a race, pointing out that the late monarch raised the stake of royalty in his days.

Describing the Ooni as a father to all, Mrs. Adelabu recalled the interest the late monarch, who she describe as her ‘father’, showed in her family.

She said: “Kabiyesi’s demise is a personal loss to me. I have lost a loving, kind and trustworthy father, who over the years, have shared in my family’s pains and gains. He had set a pace that will be difficult to meet.”

Lagos Speaker: a bridge-builder is gone

Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa described the monarch as a bridge-builder.

He condoled with the people of Ife, Osun and Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

“He was a bridge-builder who always wanted the best for his people and Nigerians in general. Yes, this is the time the country needs his fatherly role especially as government at all levels march graciously to tackle the various challenges facing it. But the ultimate decision lies with God Almighty and He has decided to take away Ooni at this time; as human, we don’t have the power to question God,” he said.