It is 6 years that the Royal Eagle of the Yorubas, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, the immediate past Ooni of Ife joined his ancestors, the good people of Ife, Yorubas at home and the diaspora and the whole country still continue to mourn his demise.
Oba Sijuwade who reigned from 1980 to 2015 was one of the greatest traditional rulers of his time contributing in no little measure to the development of Ife, Yoruba land and indeed Nigeria as he was a rallying point not only within the traditional institutions domain but also the socio-political arena.
During his reign, Ile-Ife witnessed a spate of rapid development in every sphere of life building on the great foundation laid by his predecessor, Oba Adesoji Aderemi.
Politically, Ile-Ife became a point of reckoning not only in the affairs of the State of Osun but Nigeria as a whole, with presidents, heads of states, governors, ministers and other political leaders trooping Ile-Ife to seek his blessings and endorsement.
Ife, during his reign produced deputy governors, senators, ministers, House of Representatives members and heads of government agencies and parastatals to the envy of other communities.
Industrially, Ife also grew with the springing up of many small scale industries with Ife rising to become the economic hub of the state generating the highest revenue for the state government.
The traditional institutions also benefitted during the time of the late monarch with many hitherto unrecognized traditional rulers gaining recognition and many other traditional rulers in Ife land also having their statuses upgraded
In the field of education, not only did Obafemi Awolowo University, formerly University of Ife established during the time of his immediate predecessor, Oba Adesoji Aderemi rise to become a world class university, the era of Oba Okunade Sijuwade also produced two additional world class private tertiary institutions, the Polytechnic, Ile-Ife and Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Ife North Local Government both established by an illustrious son of the soil, His Royal Eminence, Dr Abdulrahaman Adegoke Atobatele Adedoyin.
It is on record that His Imperial Majesty; late Oba Okunade Sijuwade played significant roles in the lives of these two great citadels of learning. As a matter of fact aside his fatherly moral support, he donated 25 acres of land for the use of the institution.
This is why the great monarch is particularly being sorely missed by all the good people of Ife and the Yoruba nation at large.
In his tribute, an Ife Prince, Kunle Okero Ademiluyi described Oba Okunade Sijuwade as the epitome of elegance and good taste. “He was the first Oba of our modern Era. He transformed the stool of Ooni to the future. I was privileged to be in his presence few times and every time I tried to explain some of our past discussions to him, he would simply say "I know I know" which was to say continue Americana. He would call me such name occasionally and I would just simply smile and jokingly reply that I am a ‘born and raised’ in Ife man.”
“He loved to joke and he tried to make everybody comfortable yet fearful with supreme respect. He made the throne so appealing. A charismatic and a charming king at its best. He had a genuine love for Ifes at home and abroad. He was always appealing to us to remember home. We might not understand or know his impact among us today but history would judge him kindly,” He added
Another Ife Prince and renowned legal practitioner, Ahmed Aderoju Adewoyin; described Ooni Okunade Sijuwade as an epitome of credible integrity.
“He was a real and true leader who would do anything decent and dignified to propel and protect the interests of Ile Ife and would never allow anyone, whatsoever, trample upon the well-being of his subjects rather than exploiting or plunging them into the dungeon of untold hardship and perilous degradation.”
“Without mincing words, Olubuse II, Jigbinni Bi Ate Akun, was not only the unmatched fulcrum of local trado-cultural superiority but also the indomitable source of international recognition and unbeatable global legitimacy,” Prince Adewoyin surmised.
In the words of the founder and Chancellor of Oduduwa University, His Royal Eminence, Dr Abdulrahaman Adegoke Atobatele Adedoyin, Oba Okunade Sijuwade was more than a father to him
Adedoyin described the Late Oba Okunade Sijuwade as a great man who brought connections, businesses and great development to people of Ile-Ife. “The late Ooni was an epitome of respects. He was a giver. He gave lands to many people without collecting a dime. He was a great manager of Ife affairs. The Ife people still love and respect him till date. I have opportunity to have witnessed three Obas reign in Ife, Ooni Aderemi, Ooni Sijuwade and the incumbent and I am able to compare and contrast. I love his styles in all ramifications. He never requested for a dime from me. He had a lot of self-respect.” He said
He added that the late Ooni also had a unique dressing taste in the committee of Obas. “He raised the Ooni position to the status of the President of a country. No fraudulent thing was traceable to him. I don't need to openly tell everybody how he classed himself here.”
“Each time I got to him, he would ask about my schools, about my sisters and brothers. He even sponsored one of my sisters to UK. He loved my family. He used to call me “my dearest son." The late Ooni was always at Oduduwa University graduation ceremonies. Even when he was sick, he still came, asked his loving son Prince Aderemi to address the public. We have missed him at OUI. He was our first Pro Chancellor, a position he held until he was called to the great beyond.” He reminisced
Anytime, the University had a visitation by any important dignitary, the Ife royal court of Ooni Sijuwade was always at hand to play the royal host, it is therefore not a surprise that the institution decided to name the College of Environmental Design and Management after him.
Also, in remembrance of the great monarch, the University inaugurated the Oba Okunade Sijuwade Annual Memorial Lecture series which is always held on July 28th.
This year’s lecture with the theme: ‘Oba Okunade Sijuwade: Before, During and After;’ to be delivered by Dr L.T. Apanpa is expected to draw dignitaries and personalities from different parts of the country and provide an opportunity for lovers, admirers and families of the renowned monarch to gather together and reminisce on the life and times of one of the greatest Ooni of Ife that ever reigned.
.png)
No comments:
Post a Comment