MY FATHER by Ramon Adedoyin...


Late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade

The article is titled “MY FATHER” and is filled with lofty praise for the monarch who passed away on July 28, 2015.

Dr Ramon Adedoyin has written a tribute to the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.


The Ooni passed away on July 28, 2015, in the United Kingdom but his death was officially announced on Wednesday, August 12, in keeping with tradition.

The tribute reads:

I do feel the immense pain that the unfortunate death of the Late Oba Okunade Sijuwade has caused me, the Oloris, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and the entire people of the Ife kingdom in particular and Yorubas in general, who must be grieving at the demise of the Oba.


Oba Sijuwade was, undoubtedly, a very eminent citizen and his death will be felt not only by his people but indeed, the entire nation. We can, nevertheless, be consoled from knowing that Oba Sijuwade has gone to rest in the bosom of his Maker and left behind him a good name and worthy legacy. Indeed, ‘Erin wo’.

We have been inspired, over the years, by Oba Sijuwade’s most impressive career as a tested leaders of men and resources, a proprietor of repute, a philanthropist and an industrialist of distinction. From the Tribune Group where he had his early experience in the private sector through the Leventis family and therefrom into private entrepreneurship, he truly distinguished himself as a businessman of note.

His attainments, over the years, surely culminated in his unanimous nomination and coronation as the Ooni Olubuse II of Ile-Ife since November 1980. In this capacity, he functioned as Chancellor of many Universities. Chairman of many companies. It is a measure of his selfless and qualitative service to our dear country that he was honoured with the revered national award of the Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR, by former President Alhaji Shehu Shagari in 1983.


The late Oba Sijuwade was a patriotic and highly respected traditional ruler who had immeasurable love for his people and great faith in a united Nigeria. I remember his firmness in support of Government at all levels when I was President of Nigeria. His staunch support was appreciated and would always be remembered for it. He, accordingly, stood out as a voice of honesty and forthrightness in national affairs. He was at the same time a fervent promoter of mutual tolerance and understanding not only among the diverse people who lived in his domain but also across the country. The toga of acrimony, thuggery and violence which stigmatized the politics and the people of Ife and Modakeke for many years was permanently brought to an end by him with the support of his royal colleagues. Today, there can be no gainsaying that his nearly four-decade reign was marked by unprecedented peace-making and lasting peace and prosperity in Ife and Modadeke.

The late Oba followed the tradition of his great predecessors. He was a great traditional leader, urbane and respected by his subjects. His influence transcended the Kingdom of Ife and, indeed, Yoruba kingdom . He stood shoulder-to-shoulder with traditional rulers across Nigeria and beyond the shore of Nigeria and was very well respected among his counterparts from the South, North and East. He was a unifying force not just in ile- Ife but in the whole of the South Western zone and beyond.


Oba Sijuwade’s journey to meet his ancestors means an irreplaceable loss to his family, his people, Yoruba kingdom and, indeed, Nigeria. For those of us who knew Oba Sijuwade is my father, the good times we shared, the successes we achieved together and the lessons we learned are as consoling as the legacy he left behind.we both laid down the foundation of Oduduwa university and many projects. He is a father of many nations,a seer, and a firm leader.

Oba Sijuwade may no longer be with us but his legacy endures. He had a vision for his Kingdom and pursued it with every resource available to him. We must not let that vision for the greatness of Ife and the entire Yorubaland depart with him.

As we bid farewell to this great Nigerian, let us rededicate ourselves to the values he cherished and lived by such as love of the country and community as well as the readiness to help the less fortunate at all times.

On behalf of my family and Yoruba kingdom. I miss you kabiesei.. Your words will continue to glow in my heart. Alaiyeluwa Okunade Sijuwade and pray that the Almighty God grant you all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.


May the soul of the dear departed rest in perfect peace.


Dr Ramon Adedoyin
Maye of Yoruba kingdom