At Last!! Ife Chiefs Finally Confirm Ooni's Death

The Ife traditional council in Osun
State has officially confirmed the
death of the Ooni of Ife, Okunade
Sijuade Olubuse II, after denying that
the monarch had passed away.
The Awara of Iwara-Ife, Layi Adereti,
made this known in Ife while
speaking on the preparation for the
burial of the Ooni, who died at Saint
Mary Hospital in London about two
weeks ago.
He said the official proclamation of
the passage of the Ooni of Ife would
be made on Wednesday 12th August
2015.
The traditional ruler said the Oro
festival was the final rite of passage
for the Ooni, declaring that the final
pronouncement of the demise of Ooni
has been fixed for Wednesday
between the hours of 9am and 4pm.
“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,” he said.
“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 diety
will be out.
“With the announcement, people are
advised to stay in-doors for the
period when the Oro will be out.”
Mr. Adereti who is also the head of
Oro Cult in Ile-Ife, noted that
residents of the ancient town whether
male or female would remain indoors
during the Oro rites.
According to him, immediately after
the Oro rites and the proclamation,
subsequent rites would follow. He
appealed to all residents of Ife to
heed the restriction orders from the
palace.
The monarch added that though only
females were normally barred when
Oro festival is being carried out, but
this time around, it would have no
respect for gender.
The council had been in denial since
the news of the Ooni’s death broke,
claiming that its traditional rulers
don’t die.
Many of the Chiefs were also
embarrassed by the fact that the
media reported the passing, instead
of the traditional channels established
by aged long customs of Ife land.

Source: PremiumTimes