Ooni Of Ife Passes On

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, is reportedly dead.

The respected monarch joined his ancestors on Tuesday in a London hospital, we learnt. He was said to have been flown to the UK last week for treatment after he collapsed in Ife, Osun State.

His health became a concern in 2013 after he spent about a month in a UK hospital. Since then, he had been flown abroad for medical attention.

Though the palace is yet to officially announce his passing away, but several reports quoted reliable sources in Osun State confirming his death, including other monarchs.

He died at the age of 85.

Sijuade was born on January 1, 1930 and ascended the throne in December 1980. He was the 50th Ooni of Ife.