Oba Sijuwade was a successful
businessman at the time he was crowned in 1980
A revered monarch in south-west
Nigeria, the Ooni of Ife, has been buried after thousands attended his funeral,
a mourner has told the BBC.
Traditional rites to honour Oba Okunade Sijuwade - a king of the Yoruba, Nigeria's second biggest ethnic group - are being held in the city of Ife.
Dignitaries, including Nigeria's
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, paid their respects before the private burial.
The 85-year-old sovereign was crowned in 1980 and was widely respected.
He died in London in July but his
death was only announced on Wednesday.
Analysts say this was not surprising as the royal court first needed to have extensive consultations and begin the search for a successor before the announcement could be made.
He was considered the most influential monarch by most Yorubas, who number about 35 million, in south-west Nigeria, Togo and Benin.
Nigeria's many monarchs vary in hierarchy and importance and some like the Ooni of Ife rule and the northern emirs rule over large areas, while others are traditional rulers of a village or town.
'Invaluable contributions'
Abubakar Madagali, the leader of the Hausa ethnic group in Ife, told the BBC Hausa service that both Christian and Muslim leaders offered special prayers for the late king before he was buried.
Only those directly connected to the
royal family attended the burial at the palace.
Ooni of Ife:
Oba Sijuwade is believed to have
been the 15th Ooni of Ife
- The Ooni of Ife's kingdom is in present-day Osun state in south-west Nigeria
- The monarch should be a direct descendant of Oduduwa, who is a Yoruba god
- The practice of burying someone alive with king has long been abolished
The ancient city of Ife is very
quite and people are in mourning. Banks and businesses have shut, Mr Madagali
said.
"We have been told to close to our businesses for seven days," he added.
Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari
said the traditional ruler would be remembered for his "worthy service and
invaluable contributions" to the sustenance of the cultural heritage of
his people.
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