Ooni: Don’t come out during Oro rites, chiefs warn male, female residents

…Ife chiefs confirm passage of Oba Sijuwade

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NIGERIA: AT last, Ife chiefs have officially confirmed the demise of their supreme monarch, Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II.

The chiefs had recently debunked media reports about two weeks ago that Sijwade “joined his ancestors” at Saint Mary Hospital in London where he was rushed to for medical treatment.

But, while speaking on the preparations for the traditional funeral rites of the late monarch, the Awara of Iwara-Ife, Layi Adereti, said that the official proclamation of the demise of the royal father would be disclosed on Wednesday August 12 between 9am and 4pm.

Adereti, who is the head of Oro cult and spoke in Ile-Ife, stated that the Oro festival was the final rite of passage for the Ooni.

“This is an official statement from the palace of Awara of Iwara-Ife who is the head of Oro deity that on Wednesday 12th August 2015, there would be official proclamation of the demise of Ooni of Ife,” Awara said, adding: “The proclamation will be made public during the Oro festival, being the final rites on the demise of Ooni of Ife.”

He added: “The residents of the ancient town are, therefore, urged to keep away from the streets between the hours of 9am and 4pm during which the Oro diety will be out.

“With the announcement, people are advised to stay in-doors for the period when the Oro will be out.”

Adereti cautioned the residents of the town, whether male or female, to remain indoors during the Oro rites, adding that immediately after the rites and the proclamation, subsequent traditional rituals would commence.

While appealing to all residents of the ancient town to heed the restriction orders, Adereti stressed that though only females were normally barred during Oro festival, but that during ongong funeral rites there would be no respect for the two genders.

Oba Sijuwade, who was born on January 1, 1930, died on June 28 at the age of 85.

The monarch, who was accompanied on the medical trip to London by his wives, Olori Moni and Olori Odun, was alleged to have been hurriedly flown to UK six days ago after he slumped at his Ile-Ife residence.

But, the chiefs had denied his death, describing it as mere rumour.

While addressing reporters on the development, the Lowa Adimula of Ifeland, Joseph Ijaodola, described the reported death as unfounded rumour.

Ijaodola said that not only that the ailing traditional ruler spoke with Ife high chiefs, but that he would attend his son’s wedding which was held recently in Lagos.

Similarly, the Secretary, Royal Traditional Council of Ife, High Chief Adetoye Odewole, corroborated Ijaodola’s statement.

“As I speak with you, chiefs have not heard anything like that,” Odewole, who is the Ladin of Ife, said, adding: “This is not the first time such rumour will come up about our royal father.”

He also said: “They did it in 1984, 2004 and now. Those behind the death story are enemies of Ife.  Oba Sijuade remains in sound health.”

In similar vein, the President, Ife Development Board, Prof. Muibi Opeloyeru, denied the demise of Oba Sijuwade.

“Ife as a town with rich tradition has its way of managing its affairs and there is no way such a thing will happen that traditional chiefs in the land will not be adequately be briefed,” he said, while further stressing: “I can confirm to you that the Oba will be in Lagos this Saturday to attend the wedding of his son.”