Inter-religious Funeral Services For Ooni of Ife
Thousands of people attended the inter-religious funeral services for a revered monarch
in south-west Nigeria, the Ooni of Ife, who will be buried privately according to the tradition of the Ife people later today.
Traditional rites to honour Oba Okunade Sijuwade - a king of the
Yoruba, Nigeria's second biggest ethnic group - are being held in the
city of Ife.
Banks and other businesses have been closed, one resident told the BBC.
The 85-year-old sovereign died in London in July but his death was only announced on Wednesday.
He was respected by most Yorubas, who number about 35 million, in south-west Nigeria, Togo and Benin.
The Ooni was said to be the direct descendant of Oduduwa, who is a Yoruba god.
Those not attending the four funeral services in the city have been
told to stay indoors to show their respects for the monarch and the
cultural rites.
Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari said the
traditional ruler would be remembered for his "worthy service and
invaluable contributions" to the sustenance of the cultural heritage of
his people.
"Oba Sijuwade had lived a very fulfilled life, and has
left worthy legacies for his successors to build upon," he said in a
statement.
Traditional rulers, politicians and other dignitaries attended the Christian and Islam funeral services. Only those directly connected to the royal family can attend the burial.
The
Ooni of Ife, a southern Christian, was a close friend of one of
Nigeria's most revered Muslims leaders from the north, the late Emir of
Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero.
Oba Sijuwade was a successful businessman at the time he was crowned in 1980 - making much of his money from importing vehicles.
More pictures below:
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