OGUN State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday mourned the demise of the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr.Taiwo Adeoluwa, the governor described the transition of the foremost traditional ruler as not only “lamentable, but also worthy of celebration because his life truly ran its full course.” “Oba Sijuwade was a great monarch.

He joined his ancestors at a time when his wealth of experience in all spheres of life was most needed to guide the younger generation,” the governor said.

Amosun commiserated with the governments and people of South West, particularly Osun State and the traditional institutions in Nigeria on the loss of the highly revered king.

Also, the immediate past governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has described the late Ooni as an accomplished monarch whose demise ends a great chapter in the history of Yoruba race.

In his condolence message yesterday, Daniel said: “No doubt, the people of the ancestral city of Ile Ife, the Yoruba nation, Nigeria and the whole world would miss the overwhelming regal influence, wisdom, charisma and sheer splendour of the late monarch whose traditional status represents the very essence and existence of the Yoruba race.”

According to the former governor, the late Ooni was a humble monarch who would be long remembered for his arbitration in some major disputes within and outside his domain, which portrayed him as a man of peace.