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Tag: Ooni of Ife

  • Ooni of Ife is dead

    Ooni of Ife is dead

    Oba Sijuwade passes on at 85 in London

    FOREMOST traditional ruler Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Ooni of Ife, is dead. He was 85.

    The royal father passed on at Saint Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London, United Kingdom (U.K), where he was being treated.

    Sources close to the palace at Enuwa, Ile-Ife, Osun State, confirmed his demise last night.

    He was reportedly flown out on Friday in an air ambulance for treatment at the Lodon hospital when his health reportedly suffered a relapse.

    It was not immediately clear last night what may have caused Oba Sijuwade’s death.

    Family members did not pick their telephone calls.

    Sources close to the state government said the palace was yet to inform Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the development.

    St. Mary’s is a general acute hospital that diagnoses and treats a range of adult and paediatric conditions.

    The hospital is one of the four Major Trauma Centres (MTCs) in London, acting as the hub for the northwest London trauma network and a vital part of the London-wide trauma system which connects a series of trauma units and rehabilitation facilities.

    It pioneered the use of robotic surgery, including the UK’s first da Vinci robot for keyhole surgery.

    One of the late Ooni’s sons, Adegbite, is set for his traditional marriage with ace television presenter and actress Dolapo Oni on Sunday.

    The intending couples had their wedding introduction a few days ago at the Oni’s family compound in Lagos.

    The late monarch mounted the throne as the 50th Oba in the ancient city in 1980, taking the regal name Olubuse II.

    But he was crowned on December 6, 1980 at a ceremony that was graced by notable personalities, including the former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, the late Oba of Benin, Omon’oba Nedo Uku Akpolopolo, the Amayanabo of Opobo and the Olu of Warri.

    The Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth, sent representatives.

    The late Ooni was born on January 1, 1930 in Ile-Ife to the Ogboru Ruling House. He was the grandson of Ooni Sijuwade Adelekan Olubuse I.

    He studied at Abeokuta Grammar School, Ogun State and Oduduwa College in Ile-Ife.

    After working for three years in his father’s business and another two-year stint with the Nigerian Tribune, the late Ooni enrolled at the Northampton College in the UK to study Business Management.

    At 30, he was already a manager in Leventis, a Greek-Nigerian conglomerate and by 1963, he had become Sales Director of the state-owned National Motor in Lagos.

    After spotting a business opportunity during a 1964 visit to the Soviet Union, he formed a company to distribute Soviet-built vehicles and equipment in Nigeria, which became the nucleus of a widespread business empire.

    He also invested in real estate in his Ile-Ife country home. By the time Sijuwade was crowned Ooni in 1980, he had become a wealthy man.

    The late Sijuwade, a Christian, attended the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Foursquare Gospel Church, where he declared himself a “full member” of the church in November 2009.

    He was accompanied by 17 other traditional rulers.

    Sijuwade conferred chieftainship titles on a number of politicians and their wives. The recipients include: former governors Ikedi Ohakim (Imo); Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo); Babangida Aliyu (Niger) and Theodore Orji (Abia).

    Others are: Senators Jubril Aminu and Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello as well as erstwhile military governor of the Old Western Region, Gen Adeyinka Adebayo.

     

     

  • Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuade is dead

    Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuade is dead

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade is dead.
    Details later.

  • President visits Ooni, Owa, Ataoja for blessings

    President visits Ooni, Owa, Ataoja for blessings

    PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday visited the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, all in Osun State, in the latest of his vote seeking trips to the Southwest ahead of this month’s presidential election.

    Oba Sijuwade wished Jonathan success at the poll and mandated about 50 other traditional rulers present at the event to pray for the president, who sat down while the prayer went on.

    Earlier in their separate remarks, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, the Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adeniran and the Oluresi of Iresi, Oba Sikiru Adeseun, demanded the creation of Oodua State with headquarters in Ile Ife, and the completion of ongoing federal government projects.

    President Jonathan said he had reduced the cost of importing food annually from N3 trillion to N600 billion.

    Jonathan, who was accompanied by the  chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, and other PDP chieftains, listed his administration’s achievements in various sectors, including agriculture, education, health and road construction.

    He said: “In other countries affected by the crash in prices of oil in global market, people are already queuing to buy food and other things, but we are able to avert a situation like that here because of increase in food production over the years.

    “We have used N3.3 trillion to import food but we ensured that our national food production expanded by an additional 21 million metric tons between 2011 and 2014, a record, exceeding set target of 20 million metric tons we targeted for 2015.

    Responding to issue of marginalisation of the South West, Jonathan promised to correct all errors against the geo-political zone in his second term if re-elected.

    He assured that whatever belongs to the South West will not be taken to another region.

    He said ideas in the National Conference report will transform Nigeria and further assured that he was ready to implement what are contained in the report if re-elected.

  • I will shake Nigeria after 2015 elections – Akiolu

    I will shake Nigeria after 2015 elections – Akiolu

    The Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, on Monday vowed to make startling revelations that will shake the country after the 2015 general election.

    Akiolu’s outburst at the public presentation of a book: “Corruption and Human Rights Law in Africa,” authored by Dr. Kolawole Olaniyan was in response to a statement credited to the Ooni of Ife, ‎Oba Okunade Sijuade, that only two out of the country’s renowned monarchs are free of corruption.

    Akiolu said he would reveal top secrets that cannot be disputed by those who think their hands are clean, but refused to give further details when approached after the event.

    He lambasted the monarch who alleged that he lifted oil and collected contract during the  late Gen. Sani Abacha regime, noting that he was a serving policeman in that era.

    On the issue of corruption, Akiolu said over 90 percent of Nigerians are corrupt, adding that the way out was for all hands to be on deck.

    “I will shake this nation after the election in February. The man who made the statement that I lifted oil should cover his face in shame because I was still a serving police officer. Those who collected Abacha money know themselves and I will quote witnesses.

    “Let us stop apportioning blames, forget the past and work towards a better future for this country.

    “Do not put 100 percent blame on President Goodluck Jonathan because the person who caused the problem knows himself,” said Akiolu.

    Continuing, the monarch reassured that elections cannot be rigged in Lagos, adding that Lagosians were fully prepared to ensure that their votes and good governance count‎.

    “Nigeria’s problem is not caused by one person. We should be closer to God and make things better. We must assist the government to end the challenges of insurgency and Ebola,” he said.

    Meanwhile, chairman of the occasion, Femi Falana (SAN) and All Progressives Congress’ (APC) spokesman, Lai Mohammed, accused President Jonathan of fuelling corruption by romancing his appointees accused of corrupt practices.

    Falana while acknowledging that the present administration has recorded a milestone in recovering over $2.9 billion of Abacha’s loots, noted that the government was yet to account for the whereabouts of the funds.

    ‎Commending the author for a great job, Falana said corruption has crept into all facets of national life, noting that the government has not treated the issue of Ebola or insurgency in accordance with the law.

    “The author ‎looked at the issues of corruption and human rights in Africa and wonderfully linked them. Human rights are not respected because of massive corruption on the continent.

    “The government is not addressing the Ebola crisis under the law. There is a Quarantine Act‎ enacted in 1926, which says carriers of dreadful diseases should be fished out and quarantined.

    “But at the moment, we do not know how many people are affected in the country.

    “Also, Boko Haram is being fought in a corrupt way. All dead soldiers’ names are unknown, immediately a soldier dies, his family is ejected from the barracks within two weeks.

    “Jonathan’s administration has killed the good works against corruption. It is only the Abacha family that has been harassed of all those accused of corruption and it is because he is no longer alive.

    “No country has succeeded in receiving loot like Nigeria. We have done well in tracing the over 140 Abacha bank accounts across the world and we have recovered $2.9 billion although we cannot trace the recovered money,” said Falana.

  • Dignitaries honour Omoworare at mother’s burial

    The remains of Princess Teniade Areoye Omoworare, daughter of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, and mother of Senator Babajide Omoworare, were yesterday laid to rest in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    Amid eulogies, an order of requiem mass was done in her honour at the St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Lagere, Ile-Ife, where many prominent Nigerians, including the Senate President Mr. David Mark, were in attendance.

    In his sermon, the Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, charged the country’s political leaders to resolve the issue of the strike embarked upon by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) without further delay.

    He called on Nigerians to emulate the virtues of Princess Omoworare, who, he said, brought up her children in the fear of God after the death of her husband in 1986.

    Speaking briefly, Senator David Mark, urged Nigerians to always think about the unity, peace and progress of the nation.

    The deceased’s son, Senator Babajide Omoworare, expressed gratitude to dignitaries from far and near who honoured the family’s invitation to give his mother a befitting burial.

     

    At the church service were the former Chief of Staff, Gen. Alani Akirinade (retd), Chief John Odeyemi and wife, Senators Olorunnibe Mamora and his wife, Senators Ganiyu Solomon, Nurudeen Abatemi, Anthony Adeniyi, Sola Adeyeye and Mudashiru Hussein.

     

  • Alakija laid to rest amid encomiums

    Amid encomiums, the remains of the first female Head of Service in the country, Mrs. Tejumade Alakija, was on Friday laid to rest in her hometown, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    In attendance at the funeral service held at the Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Iremo in Ile-Ife were several dignitaries including the Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his Oyo State counterpart, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

    Others were the representatives of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, Gen. Alani Akinriade (Retd.) and former Governor of the defunct Western Region, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo, the Osun State Head of Service, Mr. Sunday Olayinka Owoeye, to mention but a few.

    The Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, described the late renowned civil servant as a rare gem.

    Ajimobi praised the late Head of Service, stating that the country has lost another great person who contributed significantly to the growth of civil service in the country.

    The Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said Princess Alakija’s legacy would remain indelible in the history of Nigera’s civil service.

    Fayemi recalled that the late Alakija was appointed the Head of Service based on merit and not due to the influence of her father, whom he described as a respected and foremost politician and traditional ruler.