Brief History Of Late Oba Okunade Sijuade Of Ile-Ife

  
 

By Ipoola Ayodeji

Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade , or Sijuade, (1 January 1930 - 28 July 2015) became the fiftieth traditional ruler or Ooni of Ife in 1980, taking the regnal name Olubuse II . Ife is a traditional Yoruba state based in the town of Ife in Osun State , Nigeria. He was crowned on 6 December 1980 in a ceremony attended by the Emir of Kano , Oba of Benin , Amayanabo of Opobo and Olu of Warri , as well as by representatives of the Queen of England .

The late Oba Sijuwade was born on 1 January 1930 in Ile-Ife to the Ogboru ruling house, grandson of the Ooni Sijuwade Adelekan Olubuse I. He studied at Abeokuta Grammar School and Oduduwa College in Ile-Ife . He worked for three years in his father's business, then for two years with the Nigerian Tribune, before attending Northampton College in the United Kingdom to study business management. By the age of 30 he was a manager in Leventis, a Greek-Nigerian conglomerate. In 1963 he became Sales Director of the state-owned National Motor in Lagos. After spotting a business opportunity during a 1964 visit to the Soviet Union , he formed 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 home town of Ile Ife. By the time Sijuwade was crowned Ooni in 1980 he had become a wealthy man.  Sijuwade is a Christian. 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 a was full member of the church, and said all the monarchs who accompanied him would now become members. 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".

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. In 1976 the Governor of Oyo State, General David Jemibewon , had decreed that the Ooni of Ife would be the permanent chairman of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs. Other Obas led by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi said the position should rotate. The dispute calmed down when Osun State was carved out of Oyo State in August 1991, but ill will persisted. In January 2009 Sijuwade was quoted as saying that Oba Adeyemi was ruling a dead empire (the Oyo Empire , which collapsed in 1793). Adeyemi responded by citing "absurdities" in Sijuwade's statements and saying the Ooni "is not in tune with his own history".  Adeyemi, Permanent Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, was conspicuously absent from a meeting of Yoruba leaders in April 2010. 

Towards the end of 2009 a more local dispute between the Ooni, the Awujale of Ijebuland and the Alake of Egbaland was finally resolved. Sijuwade traced the dispute back to a falling out between Obafemi Awolowo and Ladoke Akintola during the Nigerian First Republic , which had led to a division between the traditional rulers. He noted that the traditional rulers were an important unifying force in the country during the illness of President Umaru Yar'Adua .
In February 2009, Sijuwade helped mediate in a dispute over land ownership between the communities of Ife and Modakeke , resolved in part through the elevation of the Ogunsua of Modakeke as an Oba. The new Oba, Francis Adedoyin, would be under the headship of Sijuwade. 

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. 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. 

Celebrating his 80th birthday in January 2010, Sijuwade conferred Chieftainship titles on a number of politicians and their wives, including Imo State governor Ikedi Ohakim, Oyo State governor Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala , Niger State governor Babangida Aliyu , Abia State governor Theodore Orji , Senators Jubril Aminu and Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello and others. Guests at the ceremony included former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, president of the Republic of Benin Dr Thomas Boni Yayi and King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene of Kumasi, Ghana. When Peter Obi, controversial governor of Anambra State, was reelected on 7 February 2010, Sijuwade congratulated him, saying his victory was the will of God. 

In August 2010 he mediated in the ownership dispute between Oyo and Osun states concerning Ladoke Akintola University , calling a meeting attended by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola , governor of Osun State , Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala , governor of Oyo State and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education which resulted in an action plan.  Sijuwade and Governor Oyinlola were said to have the power to decide who became the next Osun State governor. In February 2010 Sijuwade and 16 other traditional rulers endorsed Senator Iyiola Omisore as candidate for Osun State governor in the 2011 elections.  Later there were allegations that Senator Omisore had fallen out with Sijuwade due to his failure to maintain support for Omisore's bid to become governor. Omisore denied the allegations, saying that the relationship was cordial and that "Ooni is our king and we should preserve and respect him as well".  In June 2010 Sijuwade and other traditional rulers endorsed the candidature of Fatai Akinade Akinbade for governor. 

 

He was reported dead on July 28, 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. His passing away was officially announced by the Ife High Chiefs when they visited the governor of Osun State in Nigeria , Mr Rauf Aregbesola on Wednesday 12th of August, 2015 at the governor's office in the state capital, Osogbo . The Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed condolences to his family on his passing.

Traditional Oriki Of Olubuse

 "Olubuse Eri Ogun
Sagogo nju
Okun mo losun kun molata
Oribiti Apelunda Solukue
Abanise mase banise mo
Osun mo sile sunmo eni
Igi meta ona ilare
Bi idi baba odi obadi
Ki ire baba ore obare
Bi ologun sese ba dari so o/ o daso
Oni ilare nfobi kan
Oloriburuku nfoju di
Nle o, Olodo Tunbumbi
Ogborun lokun, ajiwunmi bi omo
Oke ilare ko jugun, aje lo ngbeni gun
Omo Ogboru keke fo isa Olori
Omo Ladejokun, Ojire loni  o"

Source

Word War II: Fajuyi, Awolowo, Alumni & Angola Make It To Second Round

It was truly war on Saturday, 8th August, 2015 at the Awolowo Hall Café where the various halls of residence battled each other with words in a debate competition hosted by Team Reflector. The debate started around 11am.

The debaters of the halls who were paired beforehand then debated on their various topics with Fajuyi Hall and Akintola Hall setting the pace. The queens of Mozambique hall then faced the Castle of Great men in what could be described as a real tussle as the Chief Speaker of Mozambique Hall came with a vocal prowess and points that made a shiver run down the spines of the great men of Awo. ETF Hall then faced Alumni Hall and finally the Bedrock of Militancy had nobody to face as the Ladies of Moremi Hall did not show up. This however gave the Angola Hall debaters more work to do as they then had to meet a threshold mark of 60% to qualify.

In as much as the turnout of students was low compared to what was expected, some popular faces were present at the event: Hon Seun, The Secretary General of the OAU Student’s Union; O.Busayo, The Editor-in-chief of the Association of Nigerian Authors, OAU Chapter and even the ever lively “Awo boys” were present to cheer their representatives.

The results were announced; Fajuyi Hall, Awolowo Hall, Alumni Hall after defeating their opponents and Angola Hall, having slightly scaled through, qualified to proceed to the next round which was slated to come up this Saturday, 15th August, 2015 at Awo café.

The finals of the debate and the awarding of prizes for the poetry and essay contest was slated to come up on the 5th of September, 2015.

Ooni's Rite: Awo Boys Mimick 'Oro' Day Procession (Photos)

Students of Obafemi Awolowo University resident in the popular Awolowo Hall are at it again. This time around, they are mimicking the much talked about 'oro' (rite) allegedly ongoing in Ile-Ife that is expected to precede the announcement of the demise of the Ooni of Ife.

See pictures below.

Pakistan; A Country Just Like All Others by Kelvin Odanz

“Show a people as one thing, as only one thing, over and over again and that is what they become" -Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.


I work with a student organization in my university which, among many other things, aims to break racial stereotypes, foster an all-inclusive world by training youths on leadership with international exchange(volunteering) as a major tool. In my various roles in this organization, I have encountered single stories about Nigeria and about many other countries. I am more interested in the single stories about Nigeria because I am Nigerian and I love my country dearly.

But this story is not about Nigeria. I will discuss the single stories I've heard about Nigeria sometimes in the future. This story is about Pakistan, it is about friendship and how far we are from an ideal global village where everyone is not just technologically interconnected, but tolerant and open-minded.

Few weeks ago, I visited the DHL office in my university; not to redeem a parcel (sorry to disappoint you) but to make enquiries about sending some books to a friend of mine in Pakistan. This friend is female, so that greatly limits the chance that we met in a terrorist camp somewhere in Syria, Yemen or the semiautonomous regions of Afghanistan. Myself and Romasa met through AIESEC and have become quite close ever since. We make video calls via Skype, sharing life experiences, sharing our individual cultural experiences and, most importantly, discussing books and authors---from Hawkin's "A brief history of time" to Chimamanda's Americana.I once shared a link to Chimamanda's TEDx talk on Gender inequality and for a while our discussions revolved around the themes of Chimamanda's works--- gender inequality, racism, and most importantly, single stories. One day we decided to exchange books; she will send a book from her country and I will do likewise. After so much wrangling with myself, I decided to send two copies of Chimamanda's books because I have lots of them and my Romasa was already in love with her.

After a long day of work, I decided to make a stop at the DHL office to have an idea of how much it will cost to send two copies of Chimamanda's books to Pakistan. The office is a very small one, hewed out of the base of a larger auditorium with the yellow and red colouring that characterises most DHL properties. Because of its small size, it had few staff -A gentleman flirting with a younger lady.

I walked in, said hello to the two of them amidst their loud giggles and jokes. After few seconds, the lady acknowledged my presence with that characteristic faked smile you see often in banking halls and other public offices. Then they began haggling on who will attend to me; after few harrowing moments of more giggles and jokes, the young man conceded. I walked up to his small desk, exchanged greetings and told him why I was there.

"I want to send some items to a friend of mine, so I just wanted to find out how much it will cost" I said. He gave me that broad, fake office smile---the masculine version of the lady's.

"What country are we talking about here? " he asked

"Pakistan" I replied.

The fake grin disappeared, there was a momentary silence in the small room.

"Pakistan?" he asked and I said yes. He shifted uncomfortably in his small chair, picked up a pen and asked:

"What do you want to send to your friend in Pakistan?"

"Books. Two copies of Chimamanda's novel" I replied.

He was obviously displeased, he didn't hide it; I could see the frown spread across his face. Then he heaved forward towards the edge of his desk. I could feel his eyes on me,ripping me apart, scanning me from head to toe, turning me inside out. At this stage I was already getting amused. The office was silent save for the sound of the young lady typing away on a computer keyboard and the momentary click of a mouse.

"Are you sure it is just books you want to send to PAKISTAN? " he asked, placing so much emphasis on the "PAK" in Pakistan.
"Yes of course" I replied with a half assuring, half amused smile. Then he began murmuring, I could only make sense of words like Pakistan, young man, Nigeria. Then he asked the lady to hand him a chart in the most indifferent way possible. He got the chart, picked up a calculator and began pressing some numbers in between murmurs. For over a minute, he seemed engrossed he didn't look up for once.


At this stage I was already aware of my overtly overgrowing beards. I was still amused, with a smile hanging at the corner of my lips. While he took took his time on the chart and calculations, I was feeding my eyes with the sparse items in the office while gently stroking my beards----A map of the world in yellow and red, a poster telling you how fast and reliable DHL is, another poster reminding you they have been in existence for a long time and how boundless their reach is.

Then a tart voice gave my mind a jolt. It was the young man.

"Hello Sir." And almost immediately, a louder, more tartly "Hello Sir".

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realise you were done" I apologised, feigning a mild shock. Then he asked, pretending I had said nothing:

"What is the weight of the books?"

By now, I was looking both confused and bemused. I didn't realise I had to weigh the books. I told him I sincerely had no idea and tried making an analogy with a book on his desk. I asked if he is familiar with Purple Hibiscus and Half of a yellow sun, all by Chimamanda Adichie. He gave me such a blank look that I really felt sorry for asking such question. He turned to his mate to whom he has not said a word to all this while except when he wanted a chart, spoke some words in Yoruba I didn't understand.

"It will cost you twenty thousand Naira Sir" he said to me, throwing a pen into the air with sudden glee. That amount is roughly $116. With that I could buy at least 10 copies of the books I intended sending.

"Twenty three thousand Naira for what Sir? " I asked helplessly.

The reply was quick, tart: "For sending Chimamanda to Pakistan"

I was still trying to suppress the laughter that was already bubbling in me when the lady let out a loud throaty laughter. I could not hold back mine any longer.I laughed out, not as loud as the lady who seemed obviously more amused suddenly.

"When you are ready, you come back" the young man said to me loudly.

"Okay Sir" I replied and left the office feeling amused.

And a week later when my friend Romasa told me she was having beer with her friends, I could not help but recall this event and the young man I met at DHL---How flattened his perception of Pakistan and its people is; I could not help but imagine how stunned he would be if I told him about my friend Romasa---a young, intelligent, open-minded Pakistani Muslim girl from Karachi who also struggles to understand the Taliban and terrorism like the rest of the world, who is modest even without a veil, who goes to the club with her friends for the laughter and light heartedness it offers, who drinks beer, falls in Love with a Hindu from India, takes trips to Nepal. I imagined how he will struggle to come to term with the fact that, above religion and geographical placement, we share a common humanity with those in Pakistan, a common desire for peace, for happiness, for fulfilment; And that bombs, hate speeches and guns aren't the only things that go in and out of Pakistan; that perhaps even the Talibans can also love good authors like Chimamanda Adichie.


The author of this article is Kelvin Odanz. He is a student of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering in Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.

Barcelona Wins Super Cup

By Adigun Olayemi

Barcelona FC of Spain has won this year's edition of the UEFA Cup.

Barcelona, the winner of the UEFA Champions league and Sevilla, the winner of the UEFA Europa league went head to head on Tuesday evening in a keenly contested football match. Barcelona eventually won the match after loosing a big lead they secured during the early hour of the game.

Sevilla came from a 4-1 loss to level up in regulation time which saw the match enter Extra time. Pedro eventually scored the wining goal of the tie for Barcelona in the 115th minute. The previous edition of the Super Cup was won by Real Mardrid.

Ooni's Rite: Management Advice OAU Students To Remain Indoors

The Management of Obafemi Awolowo University through her Division of Student Affairs has strongly advice students of the institution to remain indoors on Wednesday owning to the speculated rites for the demise of Ooni of Ife.

Below is a copy of the Release signed by the Acting Dean of DSA, Dr (Mrs) L. M. Durosinmi.

Buhari Appoints Prof. Sagay As Head Of Anti-Corruption Advisory Committee

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed a Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption headed by Professor Itse Sagay, a prominent professor of law and civil rights activist.

The Committee’s brief, according to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, is to advise the present administration on the prosecution of the war against corruption and the implementation of required reforms in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

Other members of the Committee, which is also expected to develop comprehensive interventions for achieving recommended reforms, are:

(i) Prof. Femi Odekunle (Professor of Criminology, Ahmadu Bello University) – Member
(ii) Dr. (Mrs) Benedicta Daudu (Associate Professor of International Law, University of Jos) – Member
(iii) Prof. E. Alemika (Professor of Sociology, University of Jos) – Member
(iv) Professor Sadiq Radda (Professor of Criminology, Bayero University, Kano) – Member
(v) Hadiza Bala Usman (Civil Society Activist) – Member
(vi) Professor Bolaji Owasanoye (Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies) - Member/Executive Secretary of the Committee

In support of the Federal Government’s efforts, an Anti-Corruption and Criminal Justice Reform Fund has been established by three international development partners namely the Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation and Open Society Foundation.

The $5 million fund is to assist implementation of key components of the Action Plan and the work of the Presidential Advisory Committee.

The fund will be managed by Trust Africa, an international development Civil Society Organisation with programme presence in more than 25 African countries.

Source: Premium Times

 www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/188136-sagay-heads-advisory-committee-on-war-against-corruption.html