source of this article is from www.theooni.org
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ILE-IFE – Ife Ooye - is a name that was deliberately coined by the founding fathers of the Yoruba Race; as earlier indicated, it was neither a coincidental nor a careless coinage. Its antecedents date to the very beginning.
From Ile-Ife according to the Yorubas, the world took off; from Ile-Ife, empires and kingdoms were founded. Oduduwa sent out his sons to found and rule over these empires and kingdoms. The relationship of the rulers of such empires and kingdoms to Ife in the distant past is unclear. Eventually, it came to be recognized that although they had political power over these kingdoms and empires, spiritual power was believed to reside in Ile-Ife, it was this spiritual power that made it possible for them to rule successfully over their kingdoms and empires.
Since Oduduwa, many years ago, Ile-Ife has been regarded by the Yorubas as the cradle of their race, the land of the gods and the Ooni of Ife is reffered to as God’s own representative on earth – Arole Oduduwa, Oluaye, Iku Alase, Orisa Keji – and regarded with awe and reverence.
The coronation of Ooni Olubuse II on Saturday, 6 th December, 1980 like that of the 49 preceding Oonis is believed to have been specifically chosen and ordained by the gods. However, this coronation was different from previous coronation of an Ooni to take place in independent Nigeria. The immediate preceding one, that of His Royal Highness, Ooni Adesoji Aderemi, fifty years before, took place in a colonized Nigeria.
At the time of coronation of Ooni Olubuse II in 1980. Nigeria was not only an independent country, but a relatively prosperous one as well, with a sizeable, well-educated middle class. All these factors combined to make his coronation one of the grandest and most well attended in the history of Ife and indeed in Yorubaland. Besides, the personality of this Ooni, something of a homme du monde, attracted quite a ceremony. Never before had such a colourful array of personalities from various parts of the world converged in Ile-Ife to honour an individual; but then this was no ordinary individual.
In his life-time, Ooni Adesoji Aderemi KBE, it was generally acknowledged, was a giant in every respect. He affected his society at every level and certainly left a vacuum that could not be filled by any but a giant n his own right and so when it was announced that Ooni Adesoji Aderemi departed these earthly shores was much curiosity well beyond the boundaries of Yorubaland as to who would succeed this unique son of Oduduwa, the first Ooni in modern Yoruba history to successfully combine his crucial tradition role as Ooni with secular political functions, in an emerging and highly fractious nation-state.
The traditional rulers added colour to the ceremony with their costumes and entourages; their presence was also a demonstration of solidarity and evidence, (if any was still needed) that the gods had indeed given their approval to the day’s event. The roll call of traditional rulers included the Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, the Amayanabo of Opobo, the Emir of Kano, the Olu of Warri, the Oba of Lagos, the Oba of Benin, the Shoun of Ogbomoso, Ataoja of Osogbo, the Awujale of Ijebuland, the Elejigbo of Ejigbo, and the Alake of Egbaland.
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The arrival of chief Obafemi Awolowo, the acclaimed political leader of the Yorubas brought particularly loud ovation from the crowd of scores of thousands. Chief Awolowo was of course accompanied by his wife, Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Awolowo who as part of the epoch making installation was conferred with the title “Yeye Oba”.
Many other giants in the Nigerian political scene were also present – former and incumbent governors of the Western states, civilian and military (Chief Bola Ige, the day’s host, Alhaji Lateef Jakande of Lagos, - Major General Adeyinka Adebayo, Brigadier Oluwole Rotimi and Major General David Jemibewon). The queen of England sent personal representatives and nearly every diplomatic mission in Nigeria was represented.
With the stage set and the square filled beyond capacity nothing remained but for the day’s programme to commence. Just then a long and obviously regal procession was seen to slowly make its way from the palace towards the Square. As the procession got closer, the 50 th Ooni of Ife was seen in the middle accompanied by his brother Obas from all over the country.
It was a colourful royal procession. The Ooni was regally attired for this great occasion. He was wearing a rich robe whose design suggested that this modern Ooni was determined to establish a unique sartorial style. The beaded crown on his head glowed and reflected the light of the sun on this bright and sunny Saturday in December. He carried a tall staff, not unlike that of Biblical Moses. Everyone seemed to want to catch a glimpse of the latest in the royal line of the Dynasty established by Oduduwa.
Ooni Sijuwade took measured but elegant steps to the grand stand amid a standing ovation and shouts of “Kabiyesi, Kabiyesi”. Everyone remained standing until the Ooni got to his throne and the ceremony formally began with the playing of the National Anthem – another indication of how the society had changed since the last coronation. As another concession to modern society, the primate of the African Church of Nigeria, The Most Revd. J. A. Ademulegun said the opening prayers.
The speech concluded, the Governor paused momentarily then commenced the presentation of the staff of office:
"Whereas a vacancy occurred in the ruling house chieftaincy of Ooni of Ife in the area of authority of Oranmiyan Local Government on the 2nd of July, 1980 and whereas in accordance with the provisions of section II oj the chiefs law chapter 19 and the approved and registered declaration of the cus tomary law regulating the selection of a person to be the leader oj the ruling house chieftaincy of Ooni of Ife.
The kingmakers on the 7th day oj August 1980 declared Prince Okunade Sljuwade appointed as the Ooni oj Ife, which appointment -was subsequently duly notified. Now therefore, I, Bola Ige, the governor of Oyo State of Nigeria hereby declare in exercise of the power conferred by subsection one of section sixteen oj the chiefs law chapter nineteen and by virtue of all other powers enabling in that behalf the appointment of Prince Okunade Syuwade as the Ooni of Ife in area of authority of the Oranmiyan local government by the governor in council on the 17th day oj September 1980, given under my hand and the public seal of Oyo State of Nigeria this 3rd day of December 1980."
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As His Royal Highness rose in his majesty to deliver his address, the crowd grew ecstatic. The applause was unending. When it quietened, Kabiyesi's voice rang out in greetings and salutations welcoming all and sundry to the ancient city. He alluded to the last coronation fifty years back and paid glowing tribute to the memory of his predecessor, the revered Oba Adesoji Aderemi KBE.
He then proceeded to thank the kingmakers, chiefs, state officials and all connected with the evet. He ended on a very strong note, rededicating himself "to the service of Ife, of the State, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all of Yoruba Speaking people all over the world".
"This torch" he said "is handed on to me by a hand that I know. I shall hold it high in service to the people. I shall not let it fall. Its light shall not fail... And thus the new Ooni ascended the throne and a new era began.
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