Controversies has trailed the death of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, Olubuse II as the Royal Traditional Council of the town on Wednesday said the paramount ruler is alive and in good state of health.
The RTC, which comprises of all traditional chiefs and title holders in Ile-Ife, said Oba Sijuade is not only in sound state of health but added that the royal father was preparing for his son’s wedding holding next week Sunday in Lagos.
Addressing newsmen in House of Chiefs located within the premises of Ile-Oodua palace of the Ooni, Lowa of Ife, Oba Joseph Ijaodola, who spoke in Yoruba, said the report in the media that the monarch died in a London Hospital of an undisclosed ailment was untrue.
Also speaking, the Secretary Royal Traditional Council of Ife and Ladin of Ife, High Chief Adetoye Odewole, said the Ooni is hale and hearty and he even spoke to the chiefs on the phone few hours earlier.
Odewole added that “Those behind the death story are enemies of Ife and as I speak with you, chiefs have not heard anything like that. This is not the first time such rumour will be carried about our father.
“They did it in 1984, also in 2004 and now these people are coming up with another rumour. Oba Sijuade remains in sound state of health.”
Commenting in a similar vein, the Chairman of Ife Development Board, Prof. Muib Opeloye, told Vanguard Newspapers that Ife as a town with rich tradition has its way of managing its affairs.
Opeloye maintained the royal father was preparing for his son’s wedding, urging people not to panic and go about their normal daily activities.
Meanwhile, the entrance of Ooni’s palace was shut to visitors as only newsmen, chiefs and relations of Oba Sijuade were allowed into the premises.
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Source:: New Mail
