Why Otun Ekiti Oba Should Announce Sijuwade’s Death

Ooni Sijuwade

Yoruba has a rich tradition. The age-long culture gives form, content and predictability to the beliefs of its people. The custom has been inherited from generation to generation. The symbol of the unity of the race is kingship. Its cradle is Ile-Ife, the cherished sacred abode of its progenitor, Oduduwa. 

Whenever any Owooni (Ooni) Adimula joins his ancestors, the news is not broken without following the due process of culture. Ooni is the property of Yoruba race. He is the custodian of the household of Oduduwa, its shrine and the protector of its legacies. Therefore, it is absolutely a taboo for any prince, royal family and palace chiefs to break the news without clearance or approval from the appropriate traditional quarters.
The announcement of the Ooni’s death is a traditional role conferred on his brother, the Oore of Otun and Mobaland, a son of Oduduwa and one of the 16 foremost monarchs in Yorubaland. The reigning Oore is Oba Adedapo Popoola, an economist and chartered accountant.

After ascertaining that the Ooni has waja (died), the palace chiefs are expected to inform the Oore. The Oore will mourn his passage in a traditional way. He will not waste time in breaking the news to other Oduduwa children, especially the Alaafin, the descendant of Oranmiyan Akinorun, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, the Oba of Benin, the Onipopo of Popo, the Onisabe of Sabe, and the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijeshaland..

The Oore will also carry along the Ajero Asotemaru, the Alara and the Obalufon Alayemore. The foremost rulers will break the news to their towns and vassal towns. Days of mourning will be declared. The attention of the towns and villages will focus on Ile-Ife, the Orirun, where their kings obtained their legitimate crowns.
In ancient times, a celebration will be proclaimed, with its characteristic visitation to the cradle by monarchs, accompanied by their chiefs and families. The palace chiefs will play dominant roles during the burial
ceremony. They will also play dominant roles during the selection of a new prince for the prestigious throne.
After the new Ooni is crowned, Yoruba monarchs will accord him automatic recognition and respect. He may visit selected palaces of his brother obas in the spirit of brotherhood. As a prince, the history of the race must be on his lip. He is expected to be factual. In the days of yore, the Ooni was the custodian of knowledge. Thus, during the early days of colonial era, Owooni Derin Ologbenla, the Ooni of Ife, who doubled as the Baale of Oke-Igbo, was the only son of Oduduwa, whose testimony could be trusted when the foreigners were trying to resolve the rift between the Awujale of Ijebuland and the Epe monarch over land. The Ooni declared that Epe and Ikorodu were extension of Ijebuland. His evidence was upheld by the British.


The List Of All 50 Ooni’s Of Ife Till Date.

1st Oduduwa

2nd Osangangan Obamakin

3rd Ogun

4th Obalufon Ogbogbodirin

5th Obalufon Alayemore

6th Oranmiyan

7th Ayetise

8th Lajamisan

9th Lajodoogun

10th Lafogido

11th Odidimode Rogbeesin

12th Aworokolokin

13th Ekun

14th Ajimuda

15th Gboonijio

16th Okanlajosin

17th Adegbalu

18th Osinkola

19th Ogboruu

20th Giesi

21st Luwoo (Female)

22nd Lumobi

23rd Agbedegbede

24th Ojelokunbirin

25th Lagunja

26th Larunnka

27th Ademilu

28th Omogbogbo

29th Ajila-oorun

30th Adejinle

31st Olojo

32nd Okiti

33rd Lugbade

34th Aribiwoso

35th Osinlade

36th Adagba

37th Ojigidiri

38th Akinmoyero 1770-1800

39th Gbanlare 1800-1823

40th Gbegbaaje 1823-1835

41st Wunmonije 1835-1839

42nd Adegunle Adewela 1839-1849

43rd Degbinsokun 1849-1878

44th Orarigba 1878-1880

45th Derin Ologbenla- He was a powerful warrior! 1880-1894

46th Adelekan (Olubuse I)- He was the first Ooni to travel outside Ile-Ife to Lagos in 1903 when he was invited by the then Governor General to settle the dispute involving Elepe of Epe. All Yoruba Kings including the Alaafin left their respective thrones as a mark of respect for the Ooni. They returned to their respective stools after Ooni returned to Ile-Ife from Lagos. Oba Adelekan Olubuse was nicknamed ‘ERIOGUN’; Akitikori; Ebitikimopiri. 1894-1910

47th Adekola 1910-1910

48th Ademiluyi (Ajagun) – He also was reputed to be a powerful Monarch. 1910-1930

49th Adesoji Aderemi- Very intelligent with good foresight, he was invited to be minister without portfolio when he ruled from 1951 to 1955. He was the first indigenous governor of Western Nigeria. One of his most laudable achievements was the establishment of the GREAT University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) at Ile-Ife. 1930-1980

50th Okunade Sijuwade- He is the grandson of Olubuse l (The 46th Ooni) from Ogboru
Ruling Family. Until his death some described him as ‘the Royal Eagle’, Elegant, Self-confident,
well-informed and hardworking. Some describe him as ‘the Royal Eagle’, Elegant, Self-confident,
well-informed and hardworking

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