The death of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II will be officially announced on Wednesday.
Making the disclosure on Monday, the Awara of Iwara-Ife, Oba Layi Adereti, said the preparation of the burial of the monarch who died at Saint Mary Hospital in London about two weeks ago will immediately commence.
Oba Adereti spoke for the first time on the death of the Oba Sijuwade, which had been severally denied by the palace chiefs.
According to him, the Oro festival is the final rite of passage for the Oba Sijuwade, disclosing that between 9 am and 4 pm on Wednesday the death of Ooni would be made public.
Oba Adereti, who is also the head of Oro Cult in Ile-Ife, warned all residents, both male and female of the ancient town to keep indoors during the Oro rites.
The monarch also disclosed that after the Oro rites and proclamation, subsequent rites will follow. He therefore appealed to all Ife residents to heed the restriction order to keep away from the palace area.
He added that though only women are normally barred when Oro festival is being carried out, this time around, it has no respect for any gender.
He said: “This is an official statement from the palace of Awara of Iwara-Ife who is the head of Oro diety that on Wednesday 12th August 2015, there would be official proclamation of the demise of Ooni of Ife. The proclamation will be made public during the Oro festival, being the final rites on the demise of Ooni of Ife.
“The residents of the ancient town are therefore urged to keep away from the streets between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm during which the Oro diety will be out. With the announcement, people are advised to stay in-door for the period when the Oro will be out.”
