The Ladin of Ife, High Chief Adetoye Odewole, who also doubles as the secretary of the Royal Traditional Council of Ife has asserted that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade is hale and hearty and that he even spoke to the chiefs on the phone few hours earlier (on Thursday July 30 2015).
Odewole, in his capacity as the secretary to the RTC, spoke during a news conference held at the House of Chiefs located within the premises of Ile-Oodua, Palace of the Ooni. The news conference was addressed by the Lowa of Ife, Oba Joseph Ijaodola, who spoke in Yoruba. 
Oba Ijaodola said the report in the media that the monarch died in a London Hospital of an undisclosed ailment was untrue and that if it were to be so, the RTC is in a better position to make an official announcement.
Odewole added: “Those behind the death story are enemies of Ife and, as I speak with you, chiefs have not heard anything like that. This is not the first time such rumour will be carried about our father.
“They did it in 1984, also in 2004 and now these people are coming up with another rumour. Oba Sijuwade remains in sound state of health.”
Speaking in a similar vein, the chairman of Ife Development Board, Prof. Muib Opeloye, said Ife, as a town with rich tradition, has its way of managing its affairs.
Opeloye maintained that the royal father was preparing for his son’s wedding, and urged people not to panic and to go about their normal daily activities.
Ooni spoke to us few hours ago – High Chief Odewole, Secretary, Royal Traditional Council
