He can probably be said to be Africa’s most flamboyant king of recent times and one of the wealthiest at that, he is the great Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, Olubuse II.
Flamboyancy ran through his veins. He is undoubtedly one of the wealthiest Nigerian monarchs with top range automobile littered in his garage and many good things of life at his beck and call.
Kabiyesi had been reported dead in the evening of yesterday, but just like it is in the African culture especially in Nigeria, kings don’t die but join their ancestors. It is safe to say, Oba Sijuade the great royal father and direct descendant of Oduduwa is not dead, but has transcended this realm and gone to be with his fathers. The sad occurrence happened yesterday, Tuesday at age 85. He was crowned December 6,1980, making that 35 years on the throne. He was the 50th Ooni of Ife.
He was flown out in an air ambulance on Friday to London and eventually died of cardiac arrest.
The sad incident was witnessed by two of his wives (Oloris) at about 5pm on Tuesday (yesterday).
Before his death, the monarch was treated at the famous St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington.
Africa, Nigeria, Osun State and the whole of the black world has lost a great son. May his soul rest in peace.