Traditional ruler reveals how monarch died

monjola sotubo

July 29, 2015 9:17 AM

Oba Sijuwade passed on at the Saint Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, is dead.

According to an Osun traditional monarch who spoke to Punch, the king was flown abroad for treatment after he slumped five days before his death.

“The Ooni is dead. It is true. He died about two hours ago in the UK. His two oloris (wives) – Olori Moni and Olori Odun – were with him in the UK. He travelled out for treatment anytime he fell ill but he couldn’t make it this time. It is sad but I believe it is God’s time. There was nothing anyone could do to stop it,” another traditional ruler said.

A former commissioner and indigene of Ife also said of the monarch’s passing:

“It is true. I was with him on Wednesday. Last Thursday when we held the political summit in Ife, he supported us and sent an emissary to the summit. He slumped on Thursday and was rushed to Ibadan airport from where he was flown to Lagos in an air ambulance en route to England for treatment. He became stable by Saturday. It is sad that he relapsed and passed on.”

Oba Sijuwade was the fiftieth ruler of the ancient kingdom of Ife and had been on the throne since 1980.

monjola sotubo