Oba Okunade Sijuwade
Olubuse II | |
---|---|
Oba Okunade Sijuwade | |
Ile-Ife | |
Spouse | Yeyeluwa Oyetunde Sijuwade
Olori Morisola Sijuwade Olori Oladunni Sijuwade Olori Odunola Sijuwade |
Issue | List
|
House | House of Sijuwade |
Dynasty | Oranmiyan Dynasty |
Father | Omo-Oba Adereti Sijuade |
Mother | Yeyeolori Emilia Ofasesin Sijuwade |
Religion | Christian |
Styles of Olubuse II | |
---|---|
Reference style | His Majesty |
Spoken style | Your Majesty |
Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade
Early life
Oba Okunade Sijuwade was born in 1930 to the ruling House of Sijuwade which is a fraction of the Ogboru ruling house, Ilare, Ile-Ife. His paternal grandfather was Ooni Adelekan Sijuwade - Olubuse I the 46th Ooni of Ife who ruled from 1984-1910. While his father was Omo-Oba Adereti Sijuade (1895- May 11, 1949) and his mother was, Yeyeolori Emilia Ifasesin Sijuwade (nee Osukoti Adugbolu), from the town of Akure. He was a Christian and in November 2009 he attended the annual general meeting of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria accompanied by 17 other traditional rulers. He declared that he was a full member of the church and said all the monarchs who accompanied him would now become members.[3] At his birthday celebration two months later, the Primate of the Anglican Communion described Sijuwade as "a humble monarch, who has the fear of God at heart”.[4]
Education
Oba Okunade Sijuwade or Prince Okunade Sijuwade as he was then called started his elementary education at Igbedin School, Abeokuta from where he proceeded to Abeokuta Grammar School under the governance of the well-known educationalist Reverend I O Ransome-Kuti, who was the principal of the school. Upon leaving Abeokuta Grammar School, Oba Okunade Sijuwade transferred to Oduduwa College in Ile-Ife before attending Northampton Technical College in the United Kingdom to study business management.[5][6]
Business career
He worked for three years in his father's business, then for two years with the Nigerian Tribune, first as a reporter then a sales executive before going to university. By the age of 30 he was a manager in A.G Leventis, a Greek-Nigerian conglomerate. In 1963 he became Sales Director of the state-owned National Motors in Lagos.[7] After spotting a business opportunity during a 1964 visit to the Soviet Union, he formed WAATECO a company to distribute Soviet-built vehicles and equipment in Nigeria, which became the nucleus of a widespread business empire. He also invested in real estate in his hometown of Ile Ife. By the time Sijuwade was crowned Ooni in 1980 he had become a wealthy man.[8] Shortly after becoming the 50th Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade founded
Supremacy disputes
When Sijuwade became Ooni of Ife in December 1980 he inherited an ongoing dispute over supremacy between the obas of Yorubaland. In 1967 a crisis had been resolved when Chief Obafemi Awolowo was chosen as the leader of the Yoruba.[11] In 1976 the Governor of Oyo State, General
Personal life
Oba Okunade Sijuwade had 4 wives and 20 children in total. His wives were:[17][18]
- Yeyeluwa Oyetunde Sijuwade, Oba Okunade Sijuwade’s first wife and the first Yeyeluwa of Ife. She was the mother to Prince Adetokunbo Sijuwade.
- Olori Morisola Sijuwade, Oba Okunade Sijuwade’s second wife and the second Yeyeluwa of Ife from 1986 after Yeyeluwa Oyetunde Sijuwade’s death.
- Olori Oladunni Sijuwade, Oba Okunade Sijuwade’s third wife and the daughter of the very popular politician Chief Adedamola Harold-Sodipo.
- Olori Odunola Sijuwade, a princess of Ila-Orangun and the daughter of the revered Ila-Orangun, Oba William Ayeni.
Wealth
According to Forbes Oba Okunade Sijuwade was the third Richest King in Africa. He also owned several residentials properties in Nigeria and the United Kingdom including Chester Terrace, Grosvenor Square, and a country home in Burnham, Buckinghamshire.[19] In the 80’s, shortly after Oba Okunade Sijuwade became the Ooni of Ife, he visited President Rajiv Gandhi of India and King Fahd Al Saud of Saudi Arabia at the invitation of both countries to foster friendly relations between them and Nigeria. Few years later as Ooni, he visited Japan to meet Emperor Akihito along with Emir Ado Bayero of Kano.[20] In 1995, Oba Okunade Sijuwade along with his son Prince Adetokunbo Sijuwade, Emir Ado Bayero and Nasiru Ado-Bayero, visited Ethiopia to have a meeting with President Meles Zenawi to converse about the Sijuwade-Ado Bayero joint family office investing in Ethiopia's railway system.
Political activities
In July 2009, Sijuwade said he was concerned that Yoruba socio-cultural groups such as Afenifere and the Yoruba Council of Elders were taking partisan positions in politics.[21] In January 2010 he attended a meeting of the Atayese pan-Yoruba group, which issued a call for a truly federal constitution in which the different nationalities in Nigeria would have greater independence in managing their affairs.[22] Celebrating his 80th birthday in January 2010, Sijuwade conferred Chieftainship titles on a number of politicians and their wives, including
Awards and honors
- Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR)
- Keeper of the Seal of Yorubaland
- Honorary Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
- Honorary Chancellor, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
- Former Hononory Chancellor, University of Technology, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria
- Doctor of Civil Laws (Honoris Causa), Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
- Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa), University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria
- Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa), University of Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
- Member of the British Institute of Management
- Highest National Honour, Republic of Poland
- Royal Belgian Distinction of Commander in the Order of the Crown
- Grand Commodore, Ohio State, USA
- Carrier of the Key to the City of Columbia, USA
- Carrier of the Key to the City of Philadelphia, USA
- Carrier of the Key to the City of Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
- Carrier of the Key to the City of Havana, Cuba
Death controversy
He was reported dead on 28 July 2015 in a London hospital at the age of 85 but the news was refuted by the Royal traditional council of Ile Ife who claimed that he is alive and in good health.[30][31] His death away was officially announced by the Ife High Chiefs when they visited the governor of Osun State in Nigeria, Rauf Aregbesola, on 12 August 2015 at the governor's office in the state capital, Osogbo.The Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari expressed condolences to his family on his death.[32][33][34] He is the first Arole Oduduwa to die outside of Yorubaland. The title of Adimula of Ife is spiritual, and is not befitting for an Ooni to depart beyond Yoruba boundaries.
See also
References
- ^ "Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II". Online Nigeria Daily News. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
- ^ "Oba Okunade Sijuwade at 80". ThisDay. 14 January 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
- ^ "Life And Times Of Oba Sijuwade 1930-2015: His Influence, Controversies And Affinity With Foursquare Church". Complete News. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "OBITUARY: Oba Okunade Sijuwade (1930-2015), the Ooni who loved Jonathan 'like a son'". TheCable. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "Ooni Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II: Celebrating one of Yoruba's finest, five years on". Tribune Online. 28 July 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ "The Unauthorised Biography: Oba Okunade Sijuwade in the eye of history - P.M. News". Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ "Oba Okunade Sijuwade: Two years after". Tribune Online. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II (1930-2015)". Daily Trust. 19 August 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "OBITUARY: Oba Okunade Sijuwade (1930-2015), the Ooni who loved Jonathan 'like a son'". TheCable. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ Awofolaju, Dr Akin. "His Imperial Majesty Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse 11, CFR, CFR, DCL, LLD, (1930 - 2015) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials". www.forevermissed.com. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ a b Bashir Adefaka (24 April 2010). "Why I Took on Ooni of Ife – Alaafin of Oyo". Vanguard. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ John Moyibi Amoda (10 February 2009). "Let The Eagle Perch and the Hawk Also". Vanguard. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ Ola Ajayi (14 February 2009). "Feud Between Ooni and Alafin Gets Messier". Vanguard. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ Abiodun Felix (30 December 2009). "Awolowo, Akintola's Rift Disunited Yoruba Monarchs – Ooni of Ife". Daily Champion. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ Gbenga Faturoti (11 February 2009). "Indigenes Laud Ife-Modakeke Peace Pact". Daily Independent. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ Gbenga Faturoti (10 February 2009). "Osun Govt, Ooni Elevate Modakeke Chief to Oba". Daily Independent. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ "Okunade Sijuwade biography, net worth, age, family, contact & picture". www.manpower.com.ng. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ Nigeria, Guardian (16 October 2015). "Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse 11 (1930-2015)". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ Nigeria, Guardian (3 September 2015). "Rare gems: Ooni Aderemi and Sijuwade". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ "Here are the 5 Richest African Monarchs". 9 February 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ Gbenga Olarinoye (9 July 2009). "Ooni Expresses Concern Over Yoruba Cultural Groups". Vanguard. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ Dele Ogunyemi (15 January 2010). "We Want Regional Autonomy Now, Says Yoruba Group". Daily Champion. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ Odogwu Emeka Odogwu (22 February 2010). "Anambra – Archbishop, Ooni, Esimai Commend INEC". Daily Champion. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ Yinka Kolawole (2 August 2010). "FG, Ooni Wade into Lautech Crisis". ThisDay. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ Ola Ajayi (7 August 2010). "Peace at Last As Oyo, Osun Sheath Swords Over LAUTECH". Vanguard. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ Ademola Adeyemo (29 November 2009). "Osun – Governorship Race Hots Up". ThisDay. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ Gbenga Faturoti (1 March 2010). "Monarchs Endorse Omisore to Succeed Oyinlola". Daily Independent. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ Gbenga Olarinoye (19 May 2010). "I'm Sure of Picking Osun Guber Ticket, Says Omisore". Vanguard. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ Zacheaus Somorin (1 June 2010). "Osun 2011 – Ooni, Others Adopt Akinbade". ThisDay. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
- ^ "Ooni of Ife is not dead – Royal Traditional Council". Daily post Nigeria. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- ^ Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji (29 July 2015). "Ife palace authority says Oba Sijuwade alive; insists only palace chiefs can announce monarch's death". Premium Times. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- ^ "Ooni of Ife's Death Confirmed". Sahara Reporters. 10 August 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
- ^ "Ooni of Ife: Oba Okunade Sijuwade to be buried Friday – Son". Premium Times. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
- ^ "Buhari mourns Ooni of Ife". Punch Newspaper. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.