Ooni’s transition to be officially announced tomorrow

SEGUN ADEYEMI, Osogbo

The official pronouncement of the demise of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, will be made public tomorrow.

This disclosure was made by the Awara of Iwara-Ife, Oba Layi Adereti, yesterday, while speaking on the preparation for the burial of the monarch who reportedly died at Saint Mary Hospital in London about two weeks ago.

According to the traditional ruler, who spoke for the first time on the reported demise of the foremost monarch, the Oro festival is the final rite of passage for the Ooni, stating that between the hours of 9a.m and 4p.m on Wednesday have been fixed for the final pronouncement of the demise of the Ooni.

Oba Adereti who is also the head of Oro cult in the entire Ile-Ife said that all residents of the ancient town whether male or female would remain indoor during the Oro rite.

He declared that after the Oro rite and proclamation, subsequent rites would follow, appealing to all residents to heed the restriction order from the palace.

The monarch added that though only females are normally barred when Oro festival is being carried out, but this time around, it has no respect for any gender.

“This is an official statement from the palace of Awara of Iwara-Ife who is the head of Oro deity that on Wednesday 12th August 2015, there would be official proclamation of the demise of Ooni of Ife.

“The proclamation will be made public during the Oro festival, being the final rites on the demise of Ooni of Ife.

“The residents of the ancient town are therefore urged to keep away from the streets between the hours of 9am and 4pm during which the Oro deity will be out.

“With the announcement, people are advised to stay in-doors for the period when the Oro will be out.”

Since Tuesday, July 28, 2015 when the news of the demise of Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II was reported in the media, traditional chiefs in Ile-Ife have continued to deny the report, saying that the monarch is alive and hale.

The traditional chiefs even after a closed door meeting with Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Wednesday, July 28, 2015 at the Oke-Fia Government House in Osogbo denied the demise of the Ooni, insisting that he is still alive.

Residents of Ile-Ife have expressed divergent views on the reason behind the on-going Oro festival in the town.

The festival, which had been held for about nine days now and which continues in the town, had instilled fear in the minds of the people.