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Ooni of Ife and the late Ado Bayero |
Foremost
Nigerian traditional ruler and Ooni of the Source, Ife-Ife, H.R.M Oba Okunade Sijuwade
died exactly one year and 52 days after the death of his best friend, Alhaji Ado Bayero the emir of Kano.
While Oba Sijuade passed away around
5pm on Tuesday July 28, 2015, Ado Bayero
breathed his last in the early hours of Friday June 6, 2014 at the ripe age of
83.
Nigerian traditional ruler and Ooni of the Source, Ife-Ife, H.R.M Oba Okunade Sijuwade
died exactly one year and 52 days after the death of his best friend, Alhaji Ado Bayero the emir of Kano.
While Oba Sijuade passed away around
5pm on Tuesday July 28, 2015, Ado Bayero
breathed his last in the early hours of Friday June 6, 2014 at the ripe age of
83.
Oba Sijuade who was in the UK receiving
treatment for an undisclosed ailment died at the ripe age of 85. He passed away
at Saint Mary Hospital, Paddington, and London, United Kingdom.
He was reportedly flown out of Nigeria via Ibadan Airport, Oyo state-South West
Nigeria in an air ambulance for treatment at the London hospital when his
health reportedly relapsed and he died Tuesday evening. Although close sources
said he might have passed away in the early hour of the day but news only
frittered out in the evening.
treatment for an undisclosed ailment died at the ripe age of 85. He passed away
at Saint Mary Hospital, Paddington, and London, United Kingdom.
He was reportedly flown out of Nigeria via Ibadan Airport, Oyo state-South West
Nigeria in an air ambulance for treatment at the London hospital when his
health reportedly relapsed and he died Tuesday evening. Although close sources
said he might have passed away in the early hour of the day but news only
frittered out in the evening.
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Ooni of Ife with Ovation Magazine Publisher, Bashorun Dele Momodu |
Both Sijuade and Bayero were best of friends in their life time and there was hardly
one event Sijuade organizes that you
won’t find Bayero attending and vice-versa.
In fact despite the fact that their kingdom is far apart, one in the north and
the other in the west, Bayero and Sijuade do find common trust in
political opinion and there was hardly a decision taken by Oba Sijuade that will not get the endorsement of Emir Ado Bayero.
one event Sijuade organizes that you
won’t find Bayero attending and vice-versa.
In fact despite the fact that their kingdom is far apart, one in the north and
the other in the west, Bayero and Sijuade do find common trust in
political opinion and there was hardly a decision taken by Oba Sijuade that will not get the endorsement of Emir Ado Bayero.
Sijuade was crowned as the 50th Ooni of Ife on December 6, 1980 and one
of the prominent personalities who attended the event was the late Emir of
Kano, Ado Bayero. Others were late
Oba of Benin, Omon ‘Oba Nedo Uku
Akpolopolo, the Amanayabo of Opobo and the Olu of Warri.
of the prominent personalities who attended the event was the late Emir of
Kano, Ado Bayero. Others were late
Oba of Benin, Omon ‘Oba Nedo Uku
Akpolopolo, the Amanayabo of Opobo and the Olu of Warri.
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late Ado Bayero |
Sijuade was born on January 1st,
1930 in Ile-Ife to the Ogboru ruling house. He was the grand
son of Ooni Sijuade Adelekan, Olubuse I.
1930 in Ile-Ife to the Ogboru ruling house. He was the grand
son of Ooni Sijuade Adelekan, Olubuse I.
Ado Bayero on his own part ascended the throne
of Kano on October 22, 1963 when Mohammadu
Sanusi his half brother was dethroned and Inuwa who succeeded him reigned for only 3 months. Ado Bayero’s reign remains one of the
longest in the history of Kano emirate.
of Kano on October 22, 1963 when Mohammadu
Sanusi his half brother was dethroned and Inuwa who succeeded him reigned for only 3 months. Ado Bayero’s reign remains one of the
longest in the history of Kano emirate.
While Sijuade spent 35 years on his father’s
throne, Bayero spent 51 years on the throne of his ancestors. While Bayero had his own career background in
the diplomatic sector as a former ambassador to Senegal, Sijuade cut his own career teeth at Leventis Group where he worked as a Manager before he became a
Sales Director of the state-owned National Motors in Lagos.
throne, Bayero spent 51 years on the throne of his ancestors. While Bayero had his own career background in
the diplomatic sector as a former ambassador to Senegal, Sijuade cut his own career teeth at Leventis Group where he worked as a Manager before he became a
Sales Director of the state-owned National Motors in Lagos.
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The Ooni with one of his Oloris |
Ooni of
Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade is one
of the most prominent rulers in Yoruba land and he is being listed among the
top 5 Richest Kings in Africa with an estimated wealth worth of $75 Million Dollars.
Famously
known as Alayeluwa Okunade Sijuade, he
was born on January 1, 1930 and died on 28 July 2015 at 85.
known as Alayeluwa Okunade Sijuade, he
was born on January 1, 1930 and died on 28 July 2015 at 85.
Ile-Ife or The Source is a traditional Yoruba state based in the town of Ife in Osun state-South West Nigeria.
Sijuwade is a Christian by birth and religion.
In November 2009 he attended the annual general meeting of the Foursquare Gospel Church of Nigeria
accompanied by 17 other traditional rulers. He declared that he was a full
member of the church, and said all the monarchs who accompanied him would now
become members.
In November 2009 he attended the annual general meeting of the Foursquare Gospel Church of Nigeria
accompanied by 17 other traditional rulers. He declared that he was a full
member of the church, and said all the monarchs who accompanied him would now
become members.
At his
birthday celebration two months later, the Primate of the Anglican Communion described
Sijuwade as “a humble monarch, who
has the fear of God at heart”
birthday celebration two months later, the Primate of the Anglican Communion described
Sijuwade as “a humble monarch, who
has the fear of God at heart”
His death is
expected to be announced by palace official and traditional chiefs in the next
twenty four hours.
expected to be announced by palace official and traditional chiefs in the next
twenty four hours.
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The Ooni of The Source, HRM Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubuse II (1930-2015) |