THERE would be a total lockdown in Ile Ife, Osun State today as the remains of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, are buried.
The body of the first class monarch, who died in London on July 28 after a futile battle with an undisclosed ailment, would arrive in the country on a chartered flight this morning and taken from Lagos to Ife, where more than weeklong funeral rites of passage will be concluded.
As a mark of honour for the paramount ruler, all markets are to close for the next seven days. Preparations for the burial for which dignitaries from across the world are expected, reached fever-pitch in the town yesterday with traditionalists taking up the palace and other sacred sites, even as eminent Nigerians and sympathizers, including National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams stormed the town to mourn the monarch.
Former governor of the state, Col. Olagunsoye Oyinlola (retd), and OPC founder, Dr. Frederick Fasehun also extolled the virtues of Oba Sijuwade, describing him as irreplaceable.
Ife High Chief ordered closure of all markets and shops in the ancient town with immediate effect yesterday in the aftermath of the official announcement of monarch’s demise.
At about 10am, town criers were seen in various markets and other places delivering the message to market men and women.
One of the family heads at the family house of the late Ooni, Tejumade Olubuse, directed our correspondent to the chiefs for information on the burial programme, saying it was strictly the community’s affair and that the royal household was not normally involved.
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