Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuwade
It's been confirmed that the late Ooni of Ife died in the United Kingdom on Tuesday evening, at about 5pm.
A traditional ruler in Osun State, who pleaded anonymity confirmed Oba Sijuwade's demise to Punch.
He said, “the Ooni is dead. It is true. He died about two hours ago in the UK. His two oloris (wives) – Olori Moni and Olori Odun – were with him in the UK.
“He travelled out for treatment anytime he fell ill but he couldn’t make it this time. It is sad but I believe it is God’s time. There was nothing anyone could do to stop it.
“Tokunbo, his eldest child, will probably leave for the UK this evening. There is nothing we can do but we take solace in the fact that he lived well. The proper announcement will be done later.”
Another traditional ruler affirmed the account, explaining that the monarch was flown out of the country five days ago in an air ambulance after he slumped.
It was gathered that there has been tension over the monarch's health since a 2013 critical illness which left him hospitalised abroad for over one month.