Ooni”s burial: Ife markets closed as residents desert streets

The ancient town of Ife was deserted on Thursday as the traditional chiefs declared closure of all markets in honour of the deceased traditional ruler, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Ooni of Ife. The late monarch is to be buried on Friday, the palace chiefs had annouced on Wednesday.

During a visit to Ife by Daily Trust correspondent, the town criers were seen in strategic places announcing the closure of the markets.

They warned that whoever flouted the directive should be ready to bear the consequences. Residents who came out after observing the curfew during the Oro ritual rites quickly returned to their respective homes immediately after the announcement was made by the town criers.

While commercial banks in the town were also closed down, students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife were seen moving unrestricted around their campus without minding the market closure.

Daily Trust gathered that palace servants and other courtiers have been asked to vacate the palace premises and only members of the Isoro cult were allowed to stay around the Ooni’s palace.

Leaders of the Oodua People’s Congress, (OPC) Chief Fredrick Fasheun and Mr Gani Adams who had come to Ife to condole with Ooni’s chiefs over Oba Sijuwade’s death was not allowed to enter the palace.