29th July, 2015
Nicholas Ojo-Awo/Ile-Ife
As news of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade demise continues to circulate, his subjects, admirers and others across the country have thronged his palace as to mourn his passing.
Our correspondent observed that many of those at the palace expressed disbelief while others were in utter shock and surprise but the people of Ife are taking it the hardest, our correspondent observed.
The entrance of the palace witnessed a huge amount of people, many of them trooping in to pay condolence visit to the Ooni’s family.
PM News gathered that the central market has been closed in respect to the Ooni who is the paramount ruler of the Yoruba people and his believed to be a direct descendant of the founder of the Yoruba race.
Our correspondent could however not ascertain how long the market would be shut as were no market leaders or security operatives to talk to.
At the palace, a security man stationed at the gate who pleaded anonymity informed PM News that the palace has begun playing host to loads of chiefs and local rulers as well as dignitaries from communities not too far from Ile-Ife.
He also said that more dignitaries are expected as the day wears on. As at the time of filing this report, the police security around the palace was being beefed up.
The general traffic flow in the town has drastically reduced. With fewer buses and motorbikes plying the roads but also there is a low number of commuters thronging the main roads of the town.
One Mr. Rafiu, an Okada rider that who was plying the Mayfair-Sabo-General route claimed that the usual hustle and bustle of day has diminished and most of his colleagues had agreed to stop work in respect to the late king.
The general disposition of the Obafemi Awolowo University campus is also quite mooted. Although, students are going about their regular academic activities, some members of NASU (non academic staff union) who recently just ended their strike action over an agreement with the VC to pay 25 per cent of the arrears owed in a peace deal that was brokered by the Ooni himself before he was flown out of the country, are hoping the VC doesn’t renege on the agreement.
So while the ancient town of Ife awaits the return of the body of its most Illustrious son, the inhabitants are awaiting more information from the ruling family as well as chieftains of the kingdom while hoping that the peace enjoyed in the town for over a decade continues to prevail.