“OBA SIJUWADE NOMINATED ME AS THE NEXT OONI OF IFE” – Rahmon Adegoke Adedoyin

Dr Rahmon Adegoke Adedoyin is the founder of Oduduwa University in Ipetumodu, Ile-Ife, Osun State. A prince from Ile-Ife (Agbedegbede/Oshinkola) Akui Ruling House, Adedoyin has said before the demise of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the first-class monarch nominated him as his successor. This, according to him, was one of the reasons Oba Sijuwade honoured him with the chieftaincy title of the Maye of Ife.

Speaking in an interview with Vanguard on this issue, Adedoyin said, “You know I was close to Oba Okunade Sijuwade. I got a lot of tutelage from him. I never expected that it (Oba Okunade’s death) would happen so soon. I feel that I should retire as an Ooni of Ife in the future. In Ile-Ife, historically, Ajagun, the late Ademiluyi, pointed to the late Adesoji Aderemi as his successor while he was still alive. Similarly, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, while alive, pointed to Prince Okunade Sijuwade then as his successor while alive. While Oba Okunade Sijuwade was alive, he pointed to myself, Rahmon Adedoyin, as his successor.

“No Oba in Ile-Ife will not point to his successor before leaving. The chiefs, the “Emeses”, etc were all present there when kabiyesi said, “Ti oju ba yeju, ki ohun ma ye ohun” meaning, “when I’m no more, don’t change my decision”. Historically, if the wish of the predecessor is changed, the Oba only stays there for a short time. Even history had it that an Oba who was forced there later died before he left ‘Ilofi”. I am not desperate to become the Ooni. I am sure you know I have plenty commitments being a proprietor of two universities and two polytechnics. I need not tell you I have commitments, I want to drop all and serve Ife.”

Source: Paper Talk