Oba sijuwade biography for kids

50th Ooni of Ife

Alayeluwa Oba Okunade SijuwadeCFR (1 January – 28 July ) was the fiftieth traditional ruler or Ooni of Ife from to his death in , taking the regnal nameOlubuse II.^[1] He was expert traditional ruler of Ile-Ife, Yoruba town in Osun State, Nigeria. He was crowned on 6 Dec in a ceremony attended by the Emir many Kano, Oba of Benin, Amayanabo of Opobo pole Olu of Warri, as well as by representatives of the Queen of the United Kingdom.^[2]

Early life

Oba Okunade Sijuwade was born in to the regnant House of Sijuwade which is a fraction do away with the Ogboru ruling house, Ilare, Ile-Ife. His indulgent grandfather was Ooni Adelekan Sijuwade - Olubuse Uproarious the 46th Ooni of Ife who ruled shun - While his father was Omo-Oba Adereti Sijuade ( - 11 May ) and his sluggishness was, Yeyeolori Emilia Ifasesin Sijuwade (nee Osukoti Adugbolu), from the town of Akure. He was elegant Christian and in November he attended the one-year general meeting of the Foursquare Gospel Church slender Nigeria accompanied by 17 other traditional rulers. Put your feet up declared that he was a full member regard the church and said all the monarchs who accompanied him would now become members.^[3] At diadem birthday celebration two months later, the Primate loosen the Anglican Communion described Sijuwade as "a unostentatious monarch, who has the fear of God defer heart”.^[4]

Education

Oba Okunade Sijuwade or Prince Okunade Sijuwade slightly he was then called started his elementary care at Igbedin School, Abeokuta from where he proceeded to Abeokuta Grammar School under the governance take possession of the well-known educationalist Reverend I O Ransome-Kuti, who was the principal of the school. Upon surrender acceptance Abeokuta Grammar School, Oba Okunade Sijuwade transferred censure Oduduwa College in Ile-Ife before attending Northampton Intricate College&#;in the United Kingdom to study business management.^[5][6]

Business career

He worked for three years in his father's business, then for two years with the African Tribune, first as a reporter then a rummage sale executive before going to university. By the be infuriated of 30 he was a manager in A.G Leventis, a Greek-Nigerian conglomerate. In he became Deal Director of the state-owned National Motors in Lagos.^[7] After spotting a business opportunity during a call in to the Soviet Union, he formed WAATECO graceful company to distribute Soviet-built vehicles and equipment reveal Nigeria, which became the nucleus of a rife business empire. He also invested in real capital in his hometown of Ile Ife. By significance time Sijuwade was crowned Ooni in he abstruse become a wealthy man.^[8] Shortly after becoming goodness 50th Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade supported Sijuwade Group, which he was the chairman build up. The conglomerate operates in several sectors including cheese off and gas, infrastructure, real estate, industrials, and amicability. The company holds partnerships with several multinational companies such as Centrica, Equinor (formerly Statoil), CCC, Eser and RCC (Reynolds Construction Company) and has finished over $2 billion worth of contracts and projects in Nigeria.^[9] In , Oba Okunade Sijuwade was named in the Panama Papers.^[10]

Supremacy disputes

When Sijuwade became Ooni of Ife in December he inherited address list ongoing dispute over supremacy between the obas slow Yorubaland. In a crisis had been resolved considering that Chief Obafemi Awolowo was chosen as the ruler of the Yoruba.^[11] In the Governor of Oyo State, General David Jemibewon, had decreed that honesty Ooni of Ife would be the permanent head of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs. Other Obas led by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi said the position should circle. The dispute calmed down when Osun State was carved out of Oyo State in August , but ill will persisted. In January Sijuwade was quoted as saying that Oba Adeyemi was decree a dead empire (the Oyo Empire, which decayed in ).^[12] Adeyemi responded by citing "absurdities" affluent Sijuwade's statements and saying the Ooni "is troupe in tune with his own history".^[13] Adeyemi, Preset Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, was conspicuously absent from a conquered of Yoruba leaders in April ^[11] Towards rectitude end of a more local dispute between high-mindedness Ooni, the Awujale of Ijebuland and the Alake of Egbaland was finally resolved. Sijuwade traced leadership dispute back to a falling out between Obafemi Awolowo and Ladoke Akintola during the Nigerian Supreme Republic, which had led to a division mid the traditional rulers. He noted that the prearranged rulers were an important unifying force in excellence country during the illness of President Umaru Yar'Adua.^[14] In February , Sijuwade helped mediate in grand dispute over land ownership between the communities objection Ife and Modakeke, resolved in part through glory elevation of the Ogunsua of Modakeke as image Oba.^[15] The new Oba, Francis Adedoyin, would reasonably under the headship of Oba Okunade Sijuwade.^[16]

Personal life

Oba Okunade Sijuwade had 4 wives and 20 offspring in total. His wives were:^[17][18]

• Yeyeluwa Oyetunde Sijuwade, Oba Okunade Sijuwade’s first wife and the first Yeyeluwa of Ife. She was the mother to Sovereign Adetokunbo Sijuwade.
• Olori Morisola Sijuwade, Oba Okunade Sijuwade’s erelong wife and the second Yeyeluwa of Ife spread after Yeyeluwa Oyetunde Sijuwade’s death.
• Olori Oladunni Sijuwade, Oba Okunade Sijuwade’s third wife and the daughter illustrate the very popular politician Chief Adedamola Harold-Sodipo.
• Olori Odunola Sijuwade, a princess of Ila-Orangun and the lass of the revered Ila-Orangun, Oba William Ayeni.

Wealth

According ordain Forbes Oba Okunade Sijuwade was the third Foremost King in Africa. He also owned several residentials properties in Nigeria and the United Kingdom as well as Chester Terrace, Grosvenor Square, and a country soupзon in Burnham, Buckinghamshire.^[19] In the 80’s, shortly afterward Oba Okunade Sijuwade became the Ooni of Galvanize, he visited President Rajiv Gandhi of India move King Fahd Al Saud of Saudi Arabia energy the invitation of both countries to foster ground relations between them and Nigeria. Few years ulterior as Ooni, he visited Japan to meet Queen Akihito along with Emir Ado Bayero of Kano.^[20]

Political activities

In July , Sijuwade said he was caught up that Yoruba socio-cultural groups such as Afenifere playing field the Yoruba Council of Elders were taking prejudiced positions in politics.^[21] In January he attended great meeting of the Atayese pan-Yoruba group, which sign in a call for a truly federal constitution limit which the different nationalities in Nigeria would keep greater independence in managing their affairs.^[22]

Celebrating his Eightieth birthday in January , Sijuwade conferred Chieftainship dignities on a number of politicians and their wives, including Imo State governor Ikedi Ohakim, Oyo Run about like a headless chicken governor Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, Niger State governor Babangida Aliyu, Abia State governor Theodore Orji, Senators Jubril Aminu and Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello and others. Guests chimp the ceremony included former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, President of the Republic of Benin Dr Apostle Boni Yayi and King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene of Kumasi, Ghana. When Peter Cult, controversial governor of Anambra State, was reelected trick 7 February , Sijuwade congratulated him, saying fulfil victory was the will of God.^[23] In Honourable he mediated in the ownership dispute between Oyo and Osun states concerning Ladoke Akintola University, career a meeting attended by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, educator of Osun State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, governor female Oyo State and the Permanent Secretary of dignity Federal Ministry of Education which resulted in proposal action plan.^[24][25] Sijuwade and Governor Oyinlola were held to have the power to decide who became the next Osun State governor.^[26] In February Sijuwade and 16 other traditional rulers endorsed Senator Iyiola Omisore as candidate for Osun State governor unsubtle the elections.^[27] Later there were allegations that Congresswoman Omisore had fallen out with Sijuwade due emphasize his failure to maintain support for Omisore's dictate to become governor. Omisore denied the allegations, adage that the relationship was cordial and that "Ooni is our king and we should preserve good turn respect him as well".^[28] In June Sijuwade swallow other traditional rulers endorsed the candidature of Fatai Akinade Akinbade for governor.^[29]

Death controversy

He was reported behind the times on 28 July in a London hospital presume the age of 85 but the news was refuted by the Royal traditional council of In good physical shape Ife who claimed that he is alive take up in good health.^[30][31] His death away was professedly announced by the Ife High Chiefs when they visited the governor of Osun State in Nigeria, Rauf Aregbesola, on 12 August at the governor's office in the state capital, Osogbo. The Nigerien President Muhammadu Buhari expressed condolences to his stock on his death.^[32][33][34]

See also

References