By Hon Ipoola Ahmed Omisore.
HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY THE 50TH OONI OF IFE!!!
Oba Okunade Adele Sijuwade, was born in Ile-Ife in January 1,1930 to the Royal Family of the Ogboru Ruling House,Ilare, Ile-Ife.His father was Late Prince Adereti Sijuwade, the son of Oba Adelekan, Olubuse I,who reigned as Ooni of Ife between 1894 and 1910. His mother was the Late Yeyelori, Emilia Ifaseesin Sijuwade from Iredumi compound in Ile-Ife.,who was lucky, to see her son crowned before her demise.
Prince as he was then called started his elementary education at Igbein School, Abeokuta, an institution owned by the CMS Mission. He lived with his other brothers, under the care of their father’s good friend, Chief G. A. Adedayo and his family. After his elementary school, he proceeded to Abeokuta Grammar School, under the governance of the well-known educationist, the Reverend I. O. Ransome-Kuti who was theeee principal.
Upon leaving Abeokuta Grammar School, the young prince was transferred to Oduduwa College, Ile-Ife to complete his studies under the tutelage of Reverend S. A. Adeyefa and Chief Johnson Omisakin Omisore,who took adequate care of the prince,after his father’s death..
At school,he began to exhibit royalty..rode on a special bicycle,walking late to Assembly grounds,and fond of telling all that cares, to hear,that one day,he would be,an Ooni.Infact,loved to taunt his seniors,that attempts,to punish him,that,one day..”they would prostrate for him,as Ooni”.He was,stylish, confident and cocky,as a young man.
After Oduduwa college, Prince Sijuwade joined his father’s business for about three years after which the elder Sijuwade convinced his son that he had acquired sufficient training and decided he should proceed for a course of study overseas. Before he left, the young man, on his own volition, decided, to have journalistic training, so he joined the Nigerian Tribune where he spent two years, first as a reporter and later as a sales executive.
As customary of youngsters of then, he proceeded to, the United Kingdom in the early fifties for further studies.
While in the U.K., he enrolled for Business Management course at Northampton Technical Before returning,he also trained at Leventis Group in Manchester in 1957. Young Sijuwade also participated in several advanced management training programmes, with various companies in Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Scotland, West Germany and Israel.
Armed with immense experience, acquired in these places, he returned to Nigeria to launch a career in Business. Bestowed with an agile mind and highly motivated and possessed with iron-will and courage, he drove himself to limits that many would considered punitive,by today’s standards,but the success achieved as a result,of his going extra-mile,more than compensated for the efforts put in.
Shortly after his return to Nigeria, he was appointed the Sales Manager of Leventis Motors in Western Nigeria with its headquarters in Ibadan. By 1960, with Nigerian Independence , he became an adviser to the Leventis group.
In 1963, the government of Western Nigeria, now getting increasingly involved in a lot of industrial activities in the country, approached the Leventis
Group to release the Prince for five years in the re-organisation of some of their companies. The request was reluctantly granted after months of hard negotiation by the then Chairman of the Leventis Group, Chief A. G. Leventis, who considered the young prince Sijuwade to be an asset to their organsiation. The Leventis Group made the Western Nigerian Government, to promise to let the prince return to,their organization at the end of the assignment.
Prince Sijuwade was saddled with the task of marketing product of National Motors in Lagos as Sales Director. He subsequently headed the management of the company with numerous Nigerian and expartriate staff under him.
His efforts at expanding the business of National Motors took him to Soviet Union around 1964, with believe that products from there are cheap and durable. But to his disappointment, the home government in Nigeria was not favourably disposed to his proposal from Russia. As a fast thinking businessman, Prince Sijuwade quickly seized the opportunity by registering a business organization along with three friends to form WAATECO-West African Automobile & Technical Company Limited, which was to become in a few years, the sole distributor of soviet made vehicles , tractors and engineering equipment in Nigeria, with a least fifty Russians on its staff list and a dozen branches all over Nigeria.
The success recorded by prince Sijuwade’s foray into private business did not deter his primary assignment with National Motors, a company he eventually turned around to profit making outfit by 1965. At the same time, his business contacts in the West also continued to grow and develop. The coup of January 1966 and the counter coup of July of the same year however redirected his focus, which made him to leave the service of the government and went fully into private business of his own.
With this fresh zeal, prince Sijuwade began to explore new opportunity at the international scene, which working with government could not have permitted him to.
As usual, it was success all the way for the young prince of the cradle,urbane, relaxed and self-confident, and with a large international circle of friends, contacts and business associates, Prince Sijuwade drew on a wealth of experience in the pursuit of his business success. For fifty years of his life, Prince Sijuwade pursued excellence in business and built an enviable family, only to begin a fresh journey of nation building in another capacity as the monarch of the foremost Yoruba town in the world.
Prince Sijuwade’s affinity with his home town, Ile-Ife made him to be loved by everyone in the town. He never shied away from attending ceremonies at home, and this he always did with much funfare, spraying money on everyone at the party, both young and old. Even his arrival in town was always heralded by a special horn attached to his car with a slogan, “Mo sese bere aye jije,ni “ ( I just start to enjoy life) Small kids were fond of following his car from city entrance to his mother’s home at Obalogun area of Ilare, Ife. Beside this, he was always ready to assist the community within his power. When there arose a need for accommodation for teeming staff of newly established University of Ife, he answered the call by embarking on housing estate on his acquired land,near Ondo road,very close to iraye,near Modakeke.
The estate was the first of it’s type in the ’70’s,with about 30-40 buildings with access road around the estate..The complex,was meant to house, University of Ife lecturers and Senior staff,just to satisfy the yearnings of the new institution.
Alas,all in the estate were burnt down by the Modakeke People, during one of the,Communal clashes.Today, the estate are in ruins,covered by thick jungle and no one can know that a luxurious estate,once upon a time,existed on the site.What a loss?..What a sacrifice,on Prince Sijuwade’s part, even in his early days.
So when the ancestors’ call came for Oba Adesoji Aderemi in 1980 and the stool of Ooni became vacant, the prayers of teeming Ife population was that,Prince Okunade Sijuwade should be interested in the stool,as his name had already became a household one. Beside his affinity with home-base,coupled with the, several juju musicians,that had sang songs of praise in his favour was an added advantage.
On the Government side, Okunade as a prince,was already close to the,Unity Party of Nigera (UPN)-the party of the Government in power.He was then,like a son,to Chief Obafemi Awolowo-the party leader and his family,so getting endorsement,was not difficult,hence All,these attributes,endeared him to people back home.
Though he faced little resistance from the other, Agbedegbede;Giesi Ruling House,he however,overan,the candidate,presented by the Giesi Ruling House.So when the time came to pick a successor to Oba Aderemi,came, the kingmakers had little trouble in picking young Prince Okunade Sijuwade Adele.
Oba Okunade Sijuwade became the Ooni of Ife on Saturday 6th of December, 1980 in a colourful ceremony that attracted crème de la crème of personalities from all walks of life to the ancient city of Ile-Ife.His coronation was very flamboyant and colorful.
Ife indigines, had thought that it was impossible to get an Ooni,that would match, the status or flamboyancy,that the immediate past,Ooni Adesoji Aderemi, who had reigned for 50 good years,had with great unprecedented achievements,of the immediate past monarch but alas,young Ooni Sijuwade who was merely 50-year old,looked equally magnificent and up to the task.
His coronation signaled the beginning of another journey of life, for the young king.. Not too long after his installation, Oba Sijuwade together with his bosom friend in the person of His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Ado Bayero, the Emir of Kano and a close friend of the Ooni, His Royal Majesty Igwe Okagwe, the Obi of Onitsha, Ofala Okagbue representing the former 3 regions of Nigeria formed a committee to work together in making sure that Nigeria remains as one entity and for Nigerians to see themselves as brothers and sisters of the same family.
He proved, a bridge builder and symbol of unity in the country, linking the Southwest with the rest of the country.
Ooni Okunade Sijuwade, began to be close to all Government in power and most importantly at the centre, to the torment of most of his subjects who were playing regional politics.Even during the military rule,he was uncomfortably,too close to the khaki boys.
Oba Okunade, enlarged the image of the Ooni-throne,mediating in crisis all over the country and even within Political and Government circles.He began to,make ile ife’s Honourary Chieftancy titles,most preferred in geria.
He used Ife Honourary titles to attract prominent Ife,Yoruba sons and daughters of Nigerians,’at large, to be close to ile Ife.He cleverly coined the word,”The Source”,to describe the position of ile Ife,as where,all Yorubas’,emanated from.
That appellation,sticked on the town till today.He brought nearer him, intellectuals like,Late Dr Toso Eluyemi,Prof Saburi Biobaku and a lot of captains of industry,all who were of immense benefit to him and ile ife.
Ooni Sijuwade was very tactical,he pocketed the politicians, particularly-the state governors,making the Ife palace,very relevant in appointments and distribution of Political largesse,where slots,like ministerial, legislative, judicial,and all appointments,are determined, while,he ensured that his people and Yorubas’,in particular were adequately taken care of. Infact,Ooni Okunade carried a larger than life,image.He was very phonemenon,as he ensured that ife’s secured good Government positions,in Executive,Civil service and judiciary.Infact the state governors,were at his beck and call.
He embarked on uniting all Yorubas,worldwide,making routine visits, to the Americas, especially,Brazil,Cuba,including other countries, and locations across the world where descendants of Oduduwa lived.Wherever,he went,he was honoured,infact,he was,almost being turned to a diety,in some countries.He overhauled the Aafin(Palace)mixing modernity with ancient decor.
He was a super glamorous Socialite and a delight to musicians,right from his younger days as a prince.Top musicians and artistes sang,his praise.Legendary musicians like, Ebenezer Obey,King Sunny Ade,Tunde Nightingale,Orlando Owoh, Durojaiye Aremu,DescencyOlayera,Dan Maraya Jos,etc waxed recorded music,in honour, of this great descendant of Oduduwa.
He enlarged the palace,beautified it with gardens and swimming pool and it’s compound became,a large complex.He took Ife Cultural heritage across the world and,created archieves for Ife history and sought the return of Ife, stolen artifacts spread across world museums.
Ooni Okunade Sijuwade,was a poligamist and Fashionista,with wide range of fashion styles,expensive gold watch,specs…hardly seen,wearing one dress,twice.He was handsome and elegant till old age and a delight at social circles.He lived large, with state of art cars and large estate in the UK.All these plus other factors,made Ooni, to become,subject of envy to some,Yoruba obas, particularly-the Alaafin of Oyo,Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and ocassionally,Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of ijebu ode and the Olowo Eko of Lagos,Oba Rilwan Akinolu, but he was able to manage,the crisis,and towered above all,till he joined his ancestors.
Ooni Sijuwade was a great business man, with International connections,he was highly respected by British Royal family and other European monarchs.He had so much to spend and did all to silence his adversaries.He raised the standards of the palace chiefs and ensured they lived a better life.
His reign faced several,civil unrest from the Modakeke settlers,right from the start.The Civil war ignited by Modakeke people,burning ife’s properties and several killings shook him but Ife and Oba Sijuwade overcame the initial, uprising with attendant loss of lives.He brought together,ifes from diverse backgrounds,be it youths,wise elders and patroitic ifes closer to him,so when later during his reign,that, subsequent crisis came again,from the Modakeke people,ile Ife was able to decisively deal with the insurgency and resulted in enduring peace,over the years.
Ooni Sijuwade,was desperate for improvement in the fortunes of the town,as soon as he ascended the throne.He initiated, the idea of an office,that would coordinate all Ifes both at home and in diaspora hence,he floated the idea of having,DEPARTMENT OF IFE AFFAIRS,through which he organised the first,”ILE IFE DAY”.He immediately,set up,”Ife Day Planning Committee”,that was saddled with the planning,organisation and execution of the event,which was a huge success.
On noticing the success of the Day,which was attended by the high and the mighty in Society and sizeable funds raised during the event.Ooni took, the advise from several sources,floated a Corporate body or organization, called:”IFE DEVELOPMENT BOARD”-IDB.
Ooni cleverly, converted members’,of the Ife day planning committee to,automatic Members, of the Board.Today,it is part of the ile Ife history,that through the IDB;Ile Ife,was able to build,”Mokuro water Bottling plant”, producing bottled water and sold across town and beyond, to Ife citizens and residents,thus,creating employment opportunity and improved,commerce in Ifeland.The Board,under the Chairmanship of Late Prince Adeyera Adeyemo,also was responsible for the conception and construction of the befitting new Ife City Hall at Oke Mogun,Ile Ife,which was later renamed,”Oba Okunade Sijuwade Memorial Hall”,simply,in the honour of the great monarch.Infact during the reign of Oba Sijuwade,the Ife Development Board-IDB, did a lot for the development and emancipation of Ife in areas of security and interfacing with various Government Agencies on matters, concerning the progress of the town.,
Truly,Kabiyesi did put a lot of his own,personal resources behind all these bodies,that he initiated.Ooni Sijuwade also,personally,had earlier,in his younger days,built an Hotel on the Ede/OAU Road,called Motel Royal,which was handy to accommodate his numerous guests and tourists,in town before other ifes,later invested on good hotels.He had many businesses like,Royal carpets under his umbrella Organization called;Alfred James Ltd.
Ooni Okunade Sijuwade shall also be remembered for his ability to shelve Ooniship-pride,by deciding to devolve the powers of Ooni’risa,as the sole monarch and owner of Ifeland-An advise he had,earlier rejected,with utmost annoyance from young Ahmed Omisore,who advised him,on the 7th day of July,1982,at his,Ladipo Oluwole Street,ikeja home, to create many,District Obas,along with an Oba for, Modakeke,to ascertain peace and progress in ifeland.
However to Oba Okunade Sijuwade’s credit, during his reign,created about 57 sub-kingdoms in ile Ife and crowned coronated obas for all the new towns, including Modakeke and got all backed up by Government gazzette.It was a great feat for which he shall be remembered in history,as that singular decision opened up ile Ife and got all ifeland,fully utilized,and protected,than when it was,only, Ooni-Centralized Authority.It was indeed a major accomplishment,on his part and for which, his name shall be written in gold.
Despite Ooni Sijuwade’s many achievements,during his 35-year,he had,his share of challenges,that shook him.Among the list,were the death of his senior brother;Sooko Adekanmi Sijuwade;a former National Bank Senior Manager followed by,the death of his mother;Yeyelori Ifasesin Sijuwade.He mourned, and was deeply touched.
As if that was not enough, Kabiyesi lost his dear, wife,Olori Yetunde Sijuwade and his junior brother,popular Prince Dapo Sijuwade,also died, during his period on the throne.As ‘igbakeji Orisa’ that he was,he took all, calmly, to utmost respect of all his subjects,as Ooni must not be seen,to cry.He proved himself a hero.
.He never allowed,all,these misfortunes, to distabilize him nor affect his demeanor as the custodian of Culture.
Among,Ooni Sijuwade’s failure, was his inability, to get,, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida(who,all,then,was acknowledged,as his bosom friend.
The,military President,failed in his promises,to name ile Ife as Capital of the anticipated,new(Osun) state, despite assurances from the powers that be,that Ile Ife, would be announced…Oshogbo was chosen instead.Ooni,must have really been distrubed,by the failed, promise.He was too trusting of his friend.
Oba Sijuwade,lived the life of a statesman, throughout his,life and pursued, the cause of peace and development, transversing the nook and cranies of the country to ensure that Nigeria remained as one. It must be pointed out however, that in this task, he suffered personal attack, humiliation from the very people and government he was striving to safeguard for posterity. Most memorable was in his early years on the throne,when a restriction order placed on him and his Kano counterparts by the military regime of General Buhari/Idiagbon on the spurious allegation of working for Israeli government, the allegation that later turned out to be false but concocted by their enemies to discredit them.
Another one was the public humiliation he suffered when Babangida summoned the traditional rulers in the southwest to Aso Rock following his, planned annulment of theJune 12 election,won by Late Chief M.K.O.Abiola and the president,was trying to justify his action as against popular opinion, where Sijuwade was quoted to have said that “Babangida was talking sense”,.He was for many years in the bad book of the pro-june 12 elements and Western state progressives,yet he remained great and was,a father-figure to all Yorubas,till his demise.
Oba Sijuwade in the words of Professor Saburi Biobaku has an enduring legacy in his promotion of peace and concord in Yorubaland and his endless effort to link the Yoruba of the diaspora with their African roots.
An affable and pleasant being, whose capacity for generousity is said to be prodigious. Similarly, his capacity to build bridges across ethnic, cultural and continental divides would do many,seasoned diplomat proud.
For his efforts, Ooni Sijuwade was rewarded with avalanche of awards and Honourary Doctoral degrees both at home and diaspora too numerous to mention. Topmost however is the Federal Government,Award of The Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR).
When Ooni Okunade Sijuwade,started, getting advanced in age,he started delegating his many Obacovgrounds,for his many Social engagements and involvements.
He made peace his watchword.He gave crown to Ogunsua of Modakeke and blessed many Ile Ife families with royal kingdoms.
It is remarkable to mention that,when Kabiyesi was young on the throne,he used the appellation of OLUAYE OF IFE,but as he advanced in age with some years on the throne,he dropped the appellation,on reflection commented,that only God, should be called;”OLUAYE..What a sensible monarch?..He started,to move,nearer Christ,set up a church within palace premises and frequented Jerusalem-the Holy Land on pilgrimage,with active support of his,Olori Ladun Sijuwade.
As Kabiyesi was mere mortal,he after some bout of illness,due to old age, Kabiyesi joined his ancestors..”Oba waja”,like Yorubas’ do say.
The news crept out like a thunderbolt.The People in town could not believe..No one thought that,Ooni could die.. Yorubaland shook to it’s foundations.Nigerians took the news with utter shock.News that “The elephant has fallen”..rent the air.
Kabiyesi rested with his fore-fathers and was buried according to the traditional rites on palace ground.He was mourned across the world.
Alas ile Ife, Yorubaland and Nigeria lost a gem.An irreplaceable personality.
MAY KABIYESI’S GREAT AND GREGARIOUS SOUL, CONTINUE TO REST PERFECT PEACE!!!
NOTE:
Please no one is allowed to use any part of my research efforts and history written by me without written approval-Hon.ipoola Ahmed Omisore.
ipoolaomisore@gmail.com
