By, Eni Olukotun, Lagos Nigeria
The prominent Monarch, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade is dead. He passed on at the age of 85. He reportedly gave up the ghost Tuesday evening at St. Mary Hospital in London, where he was flown about five days ago.
Early Life
The Monarch was born on 1 January, 1930 to a great royal family in the Ogboru house, Ilare, in the ancient city of Ile-Ife.
Sijuwade was said to be aware of his royal status even when he was a little boy in School. His composure, mannerism and carriage depicted someone heading for the throne.
Reports also have it that late Sijuwade when he was a young student at Abeokuta Grammar school, dared his Principal, Reverend Ransome Kuti who wanted to flog for misdemeanor to beat a king. The renowned Disciplinarian soft pedal.
He left Abeokuta Grammar school after five years and got transferred to Oduduwa college in Ile-Ife to complete his studies under the Reverend S. A. Adeyefa.
Oba Sijuwade worked for three years in his father’s business, then for two years with the oldest surviving Nigerian newspaper, the Nigerian Tribune. He later attended Northampton College, United Kingdom. He studied Business Administration.
By the age of 30 he was a manager in Leventis, a multinational company. In 1963 he became Sales Director of the state-owned National Motor in Lagos.
The late Monarch foray into the business world was spurred by the opportunity he discovered during a 1964 visit to the defunct Soviet Union. H subsequently floated 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 home town of Ile Ife.
His Influence
Oba Sijuwade influence cut across Nigeria. Powerful Nigerians including top politicians, business tycoons craved his company. He was a ‘father’ to many Head of States and Presidents. Immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan frequented late Monarch’s palace before and during the 2015 electioneering campaign apparently to enlist the support and blessings of the respected Monarch.
Ooni , in his lifetime also conferred dozens of Chieftaincy titles on top politicians, Governors, Ministers and frontline business moguls. While celebrating his 80th birthday in January 2010, Sijuwade conferred Chieftainship titles on many former Governors and their wives. Those whose got the royal titles were ex-Governors : Ikedi Ohakim(Imo), Otunba Alao Akala (Oyo), Babangida Aliyu(Niger), Theodore Orji (Abia). Senator Jubril Aminu and former President Obasanjo’s daughter, Iyabo among others.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his counterpart from Republic of Benin, Thomas Boni Yayi were among the friends of Oba Sijuwade who honoured him with their presence during the landmark birthday celebration.
His Squabbles With Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi
Supremacy tussle between the Ife and Oyo had been on before Oba Sijuwade became Ooni of Ife in December 1980. In 1976 the Governor of Old Oyo State, General David Jemibewon, had decreed that the Ooni of Ife would be the permanent chairman of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs. Other Obas led by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi insisted that the position should rotate among first class monarchs. Though, the tussle lost steam when Osun State was created out of the old Oyo in August 1991, but the rivalry raged on.
In January 2009 Sijuwade opened the old wounds when he was quoted as saying that Oba Adeyemi was ruling a dead empire. (The Oyo empire collapsed in 1793).[7] Adeyemi fired back saying the remark was absurd accusing the Ooni of “not in tune with his own history”.
Affinity with Foursquare Gospel Church
Unknown to many, late Sijuwade was a Christian. He belonged to the Pentecostal denomination of Foursquare Gospel Church. The late Monarch in November 2009 dragged 17 other traditional rulers to attend the annual general meeting of the church.
He was said to have declared his full membership of the church at the event . He ‘converted’ the Obas who accompanied him to Foursquare members. The then Primate of the Anglican Communion described Sijuwade as “a humble monarch, who has the fear of God at heart”.
