Controversy Shrouds Ooni of Ife's Purported Death

The Royal Traditional Council of Ife has come out to announce that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, is well and alive contrary to rumours of the demise of the monarch as earlier reported in the media.

Lowa of Ife, Oba Joseph Ijaodola, who spoke to new men in the Ooni's palace said the monarch was alive and in good health.

The council which is a combination of traditional chiefs and title holders denied the report.

Ijaodola said, "I hereby dispel the rumour that our baba, the Olubuse is dead. As I speak with you, the chiefs have not heard anything like that. This is not the first time such rumour will be carried about our father.

“They did it in 1982 , also in 2004 and now, these people are coming up with another rumour. Oba Sijuade remains in sound state of health."

The gate to the palace of the Yoruba ruler was shut to the crowd that trooped to ascertain if the death of the king was true or not.