The Unauthorised Biography: Oba Okunade Sijuwade in the eye of history

The late Emir, Ado Bayero was such a wonderful networker who broke down barriers of ethnicity and religion. He was a devout Muslim while his famous friend, the Ooni, was a full-fledged Christian. This difference in faith never affected their relationship adversely. Their religious tolerance would later get both into trouble with the then Buhari military junta when they travelled to Israel in contravention of a ban slammed against the country.

As an Oba, Sijuwade was involved in several political controversies, one of which was his position on the June 12, 1993 election, where he prevailed on his Yoruba kinsmen to abandon the struggle for its actualisation. He was roundly vilified. It was the same manner of resistance to Boko Haram that saw the insurgents making attempt on the life of the late Emir, Ado Bayero in his domain. While the ordeal might have rattled them in a way, they remained strong, resolute and united. Theirs was a bond cemented in heaven and concretised on earth, a didactic lesson for our current and future leaders.

Oba Sijuwade was a great family man. Like most African royalties, he was a polygamist with three wives, many children and grandchildren. Olori Monisola Sijuwade is his first wife and also the Yeyeluwa of Ife. The other two are Olori Dolapo Sijuwade, the CEO of Dalora Ventures, and Olori Ladun Sijuwade. It should be acknowledged that a major force in the life of Oba Sijuwade was the beloved Yeyeluwa of Ife, Olori Oyetunde Sijuwade – a remarkable woman, always cheerful and hospitable. She, for many years of blissful relationship, provided a stable, enviable matrimonial haven until her untimely death in August 1986.

Oba Sijuwade was a sincere patriot, statesman and harbinger of progress and development, with a keen sense of duty. As a result of this, the paramount ruler has received many national and international awards and decorations in honour and recognition of his various achievements. Under listed are some of the various awards received by him during his lifetime:

Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR)

Keeper of the Seal of Yorubaland

Hon. Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

Hon. Chancellor, Osun state University, Osogbo,Nigeria

Former Hon. Chancellor, University of Technology, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria

Doctor of Civil Laws (Honoris Causa), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa), University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria

Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa), University of Lagos, Nigeria

Member of the British Institute of Management

Highest National Honour, Republic of Poland

Royal Belgian Distinction of Commander in the Order of the Crown

Grand Commodore, Ohio State, USA

Carrier of the Key to the City of Columbia, USA

Carrier of the Key to the City of Philadelphia, USA

Carrier of the Key to the City of Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago

Carrier of the Key to the City of Havana, Cuba

The writer, Mr Ayodeji Joseph Odeyele is a freelance writer, history scholar and at present the Research Assistant to Senator Babajide Omoworare.