One Decade Later, Tributes Flow for Oba Sijuwade
Sunday Ehigiator
A decade after the passing of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, the revered Ooni of Ife, dignitaries, royal families, scholars, and admirers gathered in Lagos to honour his enduring legacy at a grand remembrance ceremony.
The commemorative event featured the Oba Okunade Sijuwade Legacy Exhibition and The Oba Okunade Sijuwade Symposium, celebrating the life and times of the late monarch who reigned as the 50th Ooni of Ife from 1980 until his passing in 2015.
The atmosphere was both reflective and celebratory, with attendees sharing powerful stories about Oba Sijuwade’s impact on Nigeria’s traditional leadership, national unity, cultural diplomacy, and global recognition of Yoruba heritage.
Speaking at the event, Prince Akinade Adenekan Adebunyi of the Oshunkola Ruling House in Ife described the late monarch as a man of integrity, influence, and immense style.
“Kabiyesi was truly a king of kings,” he said. “He wasn’t just a royal figure; he was a builder of unity among the Yoruba Obas and across Nigeria. I remember how he played a key role in fostering peace between the North and the South during the political turbulence of President Obasanjo’s time. That’s the kind of leader he was.”
Prince Adebunyi further emphasised Oba Sijuwade’s role as a custodian of Yoruba tradition, describing him as “a man who understood that Ife is the source of all Yorubas and acted with that responsibility.”
One of Oba Sijuwade’s daughters, Princess Adenekan Adebunyi, spoke movingly about her father’s character and his approach to raising his children.
According to her, “My father was not just a royal figure; he was a father in every sense. He raised us to be strong, independent, and self-sufficient. Education was non-negotiable for him. Today, as we remember him, we also celebrate how he touched countless lives both at home and abroad,” she said.
She recalled how the late monarch’s legacy continues to inspire the family to uphold values of honour, humility, and hard work.
Also speaking, the keynote speaker, Professor Jacob Kehinde Olupona, a professor at Harvard University and respected Yoruba scholar, shared personal recollections of Oba Sijuwade’s visit to the Ivy League institution.
“His visit to Harvard was unforgettable. He brought dignity, culture, and royalty into that space. He made us proud to be Yoruba,” Prof. Olupona said. “What made him truly special was his humility, openness to outsiders, and respect for tradition. He elevated the throne beyond imagination.”
Olupona also highlighted Oba Sijuwade’s respect for Yoruba priests and traditional religious institutions, noting the late Ooni’s deep understanding of their significance in governance and spirituality.
Also present was Oba Dokun Abolarin, the Orangun of Oke-Ila in Osun State, who spoke of Oba Sijuwade as a role model in both tradition and leadership.
“He was a man of immense wisdom, style, and passion for history. I remember how he once woke me at midnight during a trip to Harvard and told me, ‘If you want to make a difference, you don’t sleep too much.’ That work ethic shaped my journey as a monarch,” Oba Abolarin said.
He described the late Ooni as a bridge-builder who nurtured deep friendships across Nigeria’s ethnic divides, citing his close relationships with the late Emir of Kano and the Obi of Onitsha.
“Kabiyesi was not just about tradition; he believed in the future of Nigeria. He was a nation builder, a cultural icon, and a mentor to many of us who now sit on thrones,” he added.
Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who ascended the throne in 1980, was known for blending modern diplomacy with traditional authority.
He transformed the role of the Ooni into a global ambassadorial figure, building bridges between Yoruba culture and the world.
His legacy, as echoed by voices at the remembrance event, is one of unity, pride, dignity, and unwavering belief in the greatness of the Yoruba people, and of Nigeria.
