At Last!! Ife Chiefs Confirm Ooni Is Dead

 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,