Gov. Rauf Aregbesola Absent At Ooni’s Funeral

Rauf Aregbesola, Osun state governor, was on August 14 absent at the funeral service held for the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.Aregbesola was represented by the secretary to the state government Moshood Adeoti. He said the state governor was necessarily absent because he was summoned to Lagos for a very crucial meeting.

The governor praised the Ooni of Ife for his contributions toward the raise of Yoruba culture.

Aregbesola has recently stated that Sijuwade sent a text message to him before he travelled abroad for medical treatment and committed him and the state administration into the constant guidance of God.

Eminent dignitaries home and abroad are trooping in thousands to pay their last respect to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who has died a few weeks ago.

Among others are Vice President, Yemi Osinabajo, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Senator Babajide Omoworare; former Ambassador to Switzerland, Ambassador Olusegun Bamigbetan; Deputy Speaker of Osun State, Hon. Adegboye Akintunde; legislators; monarchs.

President Muhammadu Buhari was also absent at the ceremony but he mourned with the whole Nigeria.

Buhari in statement said that Ooni’s place in Nigeria’s history is assured and the nation will long celebrate the monarch.