Palace chief dismisses arrival of monarch's remains in Ile-lfe

The Chief Priest of Oduduwa and Obadio Agbaye Orisun of Yoruba land, Oba Farotimi Faroba, has dismissed the reported arrival of remains of Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, to Ile-Ife, Osun.

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Faroba told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Ile-Ife that the Ooni was hale and healthy.

"Ooni is hale and healthy, and that is to confirm to you that nothing has happened to him. And if he is still alive why the rumuor that his remains has arrived in the ancient town?"

Ooni's death cannot be hidden, he said.

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"Assuming his reported death is true, you will notice crowd at the main palace gate, while the gate would be locked and no one will be allowed to enter. Also, the Oduduwa chief priest will announce the demise of the Ooni upon sounding of a bell at Enuwa square located in front of the palace.After the announcement, all the trees in the market would be cut; markets would be closed while all forms of merrymaking such as drumming or partying would be suspended in town for a number of days," he explained.

Faroba said since Ooni is still alive there was no need to perform any of the rites.

According to him, the wedding of one of the Ooni’s sons which was slated for Aug. 2 in Lagos still went ahead as planned to confirm that the monarch is still alive.

"Ooni is second in command to the deities and if anything happen to him, the 200 gods and goddesses would be aware before Oduduwa chief priest would announce it.I am saying all these to confirm to you that Ooni is still alive," Faroba said.

Read Oba Okunade Sijuade's last interview