Residents of the ancient town of Ile-Ife, have been warned
to remain indoors for the Oro deity to observe the final
funeral rite for the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Ile-Ife,
Osun, observed that the palace town criers were going
round the town announcing that residents, especially
commercial drivers and motorcyclists should stay indoors
between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
NAN reports that this will enable the Oro deity perform
necessary rite for the departed monarch.
It was gathered that the Head of Oro Cult in Ife, the Awara
of Iwara, Oba Layi Adereti had ordered the curfew,
warning that anyone who flouted the order, irrespective of
age or gender would face its consequences.
However, residents were apprehensive of the stay at
home order as many of them rushed to the few available
markets to get essentials that will last them for the day.
It would be recalled that major market places in Ife had
been shut since last week Friday when the burial rites
started.
Although, some markets in Mayfair and its environs have
been in operation.
As a result of the curfew, some Heads of Departments in
the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife cancelled the
continuous assessment tests for their students earlier
scheduled to hold on Saturday.
Some students, who reside off campus, have been
advised to remain indoors in compliance with the Oro cult
order.
Also, hundreds of commercial motorcyclists, popularly
known as “Okada riders” were seen on Friday distributing
a hand bill to their colleagues, warning them against
operating in Ife on Saturday.
The Vice President of the Okada Riders Association, Ile-Ife
chapter, Mr Idowu Akamo, told NAN that the fliers became
imperative because some members of the association
were always busy and might not have heard the town
criers while making the announcement.
He said that many of the residents as well as the Okada
riders had thought the mourning period would end on Aug.
21, adding that many residents were surprised when they
heard the stay-at-home order.
According to him, the Oro people should not be dared
because the consequences might be disastrous, saying
the association will not like to lose its members because
of disobedience.
It would be recalled that the Oro cult had on penultimate
Friday, after the inter-religious farewell service for the
monarch in Ife, asked residents of Ife to stay at home
from 4 p.m. till dawn for the next seven days in
continuation of the final rites of the late Sijuade.
Many residents had respected the order and were thinking
it had ended on Friday but got a shock when the curfew
order came on Saturday.
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