A prominent traditional ruler in Yorubaland, Oba Arazim Iyiola Oyewale Matanmi 111, the Ataoja of Osogbo has joined his ancestors.

Oba Matanmi was said to have joined his ancestors on Wednesday evening at his palace in Osogbo, during a brief illness.

Following his demise, Osogbo, the state capital, was thrown into mournng as markets were closed while residents of the town wore mournful look.

The state governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Honourable Adejare Bello, were among the early callers at the palace while a prayer session, led by Alhaji Mustapha Ajisafe, the Chief Imam of Osogbo and the president, League of Imams and Alfas in the South West, was held at the palace.

The Ataoja, who was coronated on July 27, 1976, hailed from the Matanmi Ruling House of Osogbo and was born to Pa Shittu Amoo and Madam Sabitiyu Ajile Oyewale.

Oba Oyewale, who was a chartered accountant, brought a lot of development to Osogbo, which transformed from a provincial headquarters to a state capital during his reign.

He was aged 75. Governor Oyinlola, was at the palace on Thursday afternoon to sign the condolence register. He was received by the oba’s second-in-command, Chief Gabriel Oparanti, and other high chiefs of the town, including the Iyalode, Chief (Mrs) Alake Kolade.

In the condolence register, Governor Oyinlola wrote, “Kabiyesi, to God be the glory for a life of service to humanity. May the good Lord grant you eternal rest. We will surely miss your royal and fatherly love for the people of Osun State. Good night.”

Also on the governor’s entourage, were the speaker of the House of Assembly, Honourable Bello, the Secretary to the State Government, Honourable Kazeem Adio and other top government functionaries.

National Publicity Secretary of Osogbo Progressive Union (OPU), Alhaji Yinusa Adeigbe said the burial programme for the late monarch would be released at the end of a meeting of high chiefs of Osogbo.

His last public outing was on May 31,2010 when he attended the thanksgiving service of the state governor at the Osogbo City Stadium, on his victory at the election petition tribunal and before then he was awarded honorary doctorate degree in Business Administration by the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, on April 30,2010.

The chairmen of Osogbo and Olorunda local governments, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye and Alhaji Ganiyu Ola-Oluwa, were seen in the palace on Thursday, fine-tuning preparations for the burial of the late monarch.

It was gathered that Oba Matanmi would be buried tomorrow after the Jumat service.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Osun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ademola Razaq has condoled with the family of the Ataoja, the entire Osogbo community and Osun State government on the demise of the Ataoja.

In a statement signed by the party’s Director of Publicity, Prince Adeolu Adeyemo, Alhaji Ademola Razaq described the 34-year reign of the late Oba Matanmi, as rewarding and full of landmark achievements.

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