Ooni of Ife: passes on
As
news of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade demise continues to
circulate, his subjects, admirers and others across the country have
thronged his palace as to mourn his passing.
Our correspondent
observed that many of those at the palace expressed disbelief while
others were in utter shock and surprise but the people of Ife are taking
it the hardest, our correspondent observed.
The entrance of the
palace witnessed a huge amount of people, many of them trooping in to
pay condolence visit to the Ooni’s family.
PM News gathered that
the central market has been closed in respect to the Ooni who is the
paramount ruler of the Yoruba people and his believed to be a direct
descendant of the founder of the Yoruba race.
Our correspondent
could however not ascertain how long the market would be shut as were no
market leaders or security operatives to talk to.
At the palace, a
security man stationed at the gate who pleaded anonymity informed PM
News that the palace has begun playing host to loads of chiefs and local
rulers as well as dignitaries from communities not too far from
Ile-Ife.
He also said that more dignitaries are expected as the
day wears on. As at the time of filing this report, the police security
around the palace was being beefed up.
The general traffic flow in
the town has drastically reduced. With fewer buses and motorbikes
plying the roads but also there is a low number of commuters thronging
the main roads of the town.
One Mr. Rafiu, an Okada rider that who
was plying the Mayfair-Sabo-General route claimed that the usual hustle
and bustle of day has diminished and most of his colleagues had agreed
to stop work in respect to the late king.
The general disposition
of the Obafemi Awolowo University campus is also quite mooted. Although,
students are going about their regular academic activities, some
members of NASU (non academic staff union) who recently just ended their
strike action over an agreement with the VC to pay 25 per cent of the
arrears owed in a peace deal that was brokered by the Ooni himself
before he was flown out of the country, are hoping the VC doesn’t renege
on the agreement.
So while the ancient town of Ife awaits the
return of the body of its most Illustrious son, the inhabitants are
awaiting more information from the ruling family as well as chieftains
of the kingdom while hoping that the peace enjoyed in the town for over a
decade continues to prevail
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