Ooni Is Alive, Says Ife Chiefs

The Royal Traditional Council of Ife has said the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, is not dead contrary to the information which filtered to journalists on Tuesday night. The Lowa of Ife, Oba Joseph Ijaodola, who briefed journalists at the Ooni’s palace in Ile Ife on Wednesday, said the monarch was hale and hearty. The Royal Traditional Council which is a combination of traditional chiefs and title holders, said the report that the monarch died in a hospital in the United Kingdom was untrue. He said, ” I hereby dispel the rumour that our baba, the Olubuse is dead. As I speak with you,
the chiefs have not heard anything like that. This is not the first time such rumour will be carried about our father. “They did it in 1982 , also in 2004 and now, these people are coming up with another rumour. Oba Sijuade remains in sound state of health.”
Residents of the town trooped to the palace on Wednesday, to ascertain if the news they read about the death of the monarch was true. However, the main  gate of the palace was locked and only few journalists and chiefs were allowed to enter while others were shut out. The monarch was reported to have died in a hospital in the UK and the news of his death was confirmed by various sources close to the palace but the denial of the news came as a surprise to many. 
Punch