Palace Insists Ooni Is Alive Despite Confirmation Of Death By Deceased Monarch's Son

Source: thewillnigeria.com

SAN FRANCISCO, July 29, (THEWILL) – The Royal Traditional Secretary of Ooni’s Palace, Ile-Ife, High Chief Adetoye Odewole, on Wednesday debunked media reports of the demise of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, despite confirmation of death by one of the senior sons of the now deceased traditional ruler.

Sijuwade died in London on Tuesday night after a brief illness in a London Hospital, the son confirmed anonymously last night to a reliable source of THEWILL, saying by tradition only the palace can officially announced his death.

But Odewole, who addressed a press conference at the Ooni’s palace, said that the reported death of the monarch was based on mere rumour. He expressed regrets that the same rumour was spread in 2002, 2004 and 2013,adding that the Ooni was hale and hearty.

Similarly, the Lowa Adimula of Ife, Chief Joseph Ijaodola, said the Ooni was alive, claiming that the monarch spoke with him from London an hour before the press conference.