The activities lined up for the remembrance of the revered monarch began on Tuesday at Ife City Hall, now named after the late Ooni with a press conference addressed by the chairman Local Organising Committee of the
anniversary, Prof Muib Opeloye. Speaking at the event, Professor Opeloye who is also the President, Ife Development Board, IDB, described the late monarch as a traditional ruler whose political ideology because of his love for the community and his people was completely misunderstood in many quarters and who during his life time fought against political marginalization of Ife. His words: “Oba Sijuwade had been unjustifiably accused of interfering in partisan politics, whereas due to the influence he wielded within the society, governments were always currying his favour to give them support and in the process requested him to recommend names for political appointments. “This was how he secured top political appointments, ambassadorial, ministerial, commissionership and other forms of appointments for the Ifes and non Ifes alike. “If not for him, Ife as a community would have suffered worse political marginalization than it had experienced despite its status as the cradle of Yoruba civilization,” he added. Prof Opeloye recalled that while Oba Sijuwade was doing this for his people, his considerations were never for his own blood relations as others like him do, rather, he would consider his subjects in whom he reposed his confidence. He also described late Sijuwade as a monarch who contributed immensely to the development of Christian and Islamic religions adding that his contributions to the construction of many churches and the central mosque in Ile-Ife were immeasurable.
The main event was on thursday when dignitaries from all walks of lives converged on the ancient town for an interdenominational service at Saint Paul Anglican Church, Aiyegbaju, Ife. In his sermon at the ceremony, a former Bishop of Ife Anglican Diocese, Rev. Oluranti Odubogun described the late Ooni as a monarch who served God an his people until his last breath. Paying tribute to the late monarch, who died in London last year in a private Hospital, the cleric said: “late Sijuwade lived well and died well. He was a follower of Christ. I had personal relationship with him when he was alive. He will remove his crown, kneel down and direct all his courtiers out of the vicinity before praying to God.” He reminded dignitaries who filled the church to the brim of the transient nature of the world saying that all would die one day irrespective of their level of education, wealth, fame, adding that it is appointed to a man to die once, after it judgement.
After the about three hours memorial service, late Ooni Sijuwade’s children, relatives and other invited guests proceeded to the tomb of the late monarch at the Ooni’s palace. At the beautifully decorated tomb, prayers were offered for the repose of Sijuwade’s soul and for the entire Ile-Ife community.
Tributes for late Sijuwade
Speaking with our correspondent after the memorial service, Olori Odunola Sijuwade said she missed the late monarch’s company. “I miss my late husband’s style because he was fashion man and I also miss his charisma. He was fun to be with and I miss his companionship, he was a good husband but we thank God for his life,” she said. She disclosed that all the lessons learned about the late Ooni encouraged everyone to be good . “I learned from my late husband that we should spend the little time we have on earth wisely and try to touch so many lives so that when we are gone, people will be able to say good things about us and they will know that a wonderful person has departed,” she dded.
Also speaking, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnemeka Achebe paid tribute to the late king who was his close friends. According to Igwe Achebe, he missed late Ooni’s friendship and advice. He said: “I miss his warm friendship, advice, his counsel, fatherly care, his love, both for me and for humanity, he was a great man and there is a lot I miss about him.
” For one of the sons of late Sijuwade, the monarch is loved by all. “This multitude here today shows that my father was lovable and people still regard and respect him. So, I am happy and proud for being his son,” he said.
The Senator representing Ife/Ijesa federal constituency in the Senate, Jide Omoworare described late Sijuwade as a man of the people who lived and died for his people.
Also speaking, the founder of Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife, Prince Ramon Adedoyin said late Sijuwade took him as a son and was always there for him. The business mogul and educationist said: “he (Sijuwade) was my father. When he was about to die, he told me to take care of Ife land. I really missed his fatherly care.”
The three day event was rounded up on Friday with a colloquium where the Acting Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Prof. Anthony Elujoba charged the siblings of the late Ooni of Ife Oba Okunade Sijuwade to join their hands together to lift Ife to greater heights.
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