The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, died on Tuesday 28^th July 2015  at the age of 85 in a London hospital after a brief illness.

The news on the death of the Oba, whose official title was His Imperial Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, was communicated to the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola yesterday.

Officially, Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade was born on January 1, 1930. He became the 50th traditional ruler or Ooni of Ife at the age of 50 in 1980, taking the regal name Olubuse II.

According to detailed reports on the late Ooni’s life,  he was crowned on December 6, 1980 in a ceremony attended by his close friend and business partner, the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero; the Oba of Benin, Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa I; the Amayanabo of Opobo; and Olu of Warri, as well as by representatives of the Queen of England.

The late Oba left behind his wives, his first son Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade, and several other children.