Ooni of Ife, Dies At 85

Yesterday, after battling with a brief illness, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade II died at the age of 85 in a hospital in London
Oba Okunade Sijuwade became the 50th traditional ruler at the age of 50 in 1980, taking the name Olubuse II.
The late Ooni was crowned on December 6, 1980 in a ceremony attended by his close friend and business partners, 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 representatives of the Queen of England.

He was born in Ile-Ife to the Ogbooru ruling house, Sijuwade was the grandson of the Ooni Sijuwade Adelekan Olubuse I. He studied at Abeokuta Grammar School and Oduduwa College in Ile-Ife.
At 30, he was a manager in Leventis, a Greek-Nigerian conglomerate. In 1963, he became Sales Director of the state-owned National Motors in Lagos. After spotting a business opportunity during a 1964 visit to the Soviet Union, he formed a company to distribute Soviet-built vehicles and equipment in Nigeria, which became the nucleus of a widespread business empire.
At his birthday celebration two months later, the Primate of the Anglican Communion described Sijuwade as “a humble monarch, who has the fear of God at heart”.
He is traditionally considered the 401st spirit (Orisha), the only one that speaks. In fact, the royal dynasty of Ife traces its origin back to the founding of the city more than 2,000 years ago.
He survived by his wives, his first son Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade, and several other children.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org