The ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, was agog today as the remains of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, were laid to rest amid various funeral rites by Christians, Muslims and traditionalists.
Before the 10.00 am official time for the funeral rites described by the organisers as inter religious farewell service, eminent Nigerians from different walks of life across the world, government officials, diverse classes of traditional rulers, high chiefs, religious leaders from different denominations, traditionalists, community leaders among other guests had filled the highly revered Oba’s palace to the brim to be parts of the glamorous event.
As eminent dignitaries, guests and the people of the town continued to surge to the event, security was beefed as a huge number of security personnel such as the Civil Defence, the Police, State Security Service (SSS) among others were heavily armed and controlling the huge crowd with decorum.
When the event revved up, there was an interplay of burial rites as the three major religions – Christianity, Islam and tradition – represented by their various leaders offered prayers for the repose of the soul of the monarch.
The Christian segment of the programme was held with a scriptural reading, homily and special prayers and moderated by the Chaplain of the Royal Chapel, Ooni’s Palace, Venerable Bukola Oyedeji.
Pastor Olusola Akanbi, the Dean of Ife Diocese of Anglican Communion, who preached the sermon on the theme: “How Are the Mighty Falling” with a reading from II Samuel 1:19 said:
“Whatever has a beginning must have an end. When the time was ripe, Ooni joined his ancestors. There is time for everything. He lived in affluence and achieved a lot.”
He, therefore, urged the guests to remember the days of death and subsequent judgement and always do the right thing while they are still on earth and should also draw closer to God.
The Chief Imam of Ife, Muftar Yusuf, also prayed for the family of the late monarch and his soul to rest in peace, enthusing that he lived a fulfilled life.
The traditional worshippers, under the leadership of Obadio, equally commended the late Ooni for respecting the culture and tradition of the land till his death and also prayed for his soul to rest in peace.
And Nigeria Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who arrived the sprawling arena in company of a huge entourage of government officials, extolled the virtues of the departed monarch, describing him as a symbol of unity among the Yoruba and custodian of Yoruba culture.
According to him, the late oba lived a fulfilled life and urged anybody that would come on board as his successor to emulate him.
“Our highly revered monarch, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, was a symbol of unity among the Yoruba people. He was able to unite the Yoruba as a formidable race during his life time. In fact, he was a custodian of Yoruba culture and equally lived a fulfilled life. I urge anybody that will replace him to also emulate him,” Osinbajo said glowingly.
Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Moshood Olalekan Adeoti, after commiserating with the family, also described the late monarch as a pace setter, adding that he led the Osun State Council of Obas with sincerity.
Also speaking about the achievements of the late monarch, the governor stressed that he would be celebrated continually even at death.
“Ooni was a pace setter. He led the Osun Council of Obas with sincerity. He also lived an exemplary life. He will be celebrated continually even at death,” Aregbesola enthused.
It would be recalled that the first class monarch died on July 28 in a London Hospital of undisclosed illness, was brought to Lagos yesterday morning on a chartered flight and later taken to Ile-Ife where the ancient city and his palace had been agog with burial rites which climaxed in the final burial ceremonies today. [myad]
