Ooni of Ife dies at 85

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, is dead. He was 85 years old.

It was gathered that the Ooni, who fell ill was flown out in air ambulance on Friday, died at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, United Kingdom Tuesday evening.

The monarch, who had been on the throne for 35 years, was billed to give out one his children out in marriage on Saturday.

Confirming his death, a monarch in Ife, Osun State, who pleaded anonymity, since the Ooni's death would only be officially announced by the palace, said the royal father had been ill, which got worse last Friday, prompting his evacuation to the United Kingdom for treatment. He could not disclose the nature of the illness, which eventually claimed Ooni's life.

Oba Sijuwade was born on January 1, 1930 and became the 50th Ooni of Ife in 1980, taking the name Olubuse II. He was crowned on December. 6, 1980 in a ceremony attended by the Emir of. Kano, Olu of Warri as well as representatives of the Queen of England, among others.

Sijuwade 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.

He also participated in advanced business management training programmes with companies in Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Scotland, West Germany and Israel.

Armed with the immense experience he acquired in these places, he returned to Nigeria a few years later to launch a career in business.