The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubose II, has been reported dead. “The foremost Oba died in London at about 7:30 p.m. last night,” according to Vanguard. The Ooni was 85 years old.

The Nigerian Tribune, however, quoted sources as saying that the foremost royal father “may have passed on around 5:00 p.m. at an undisclosed hospital in London, United Kingdom (UK).”

It quoted unconfirmed sources as disclosing that the monarch, who had been ill for a while, was flown out of the country five days ago in an air ambulance via the Ibadan Airport.

“Government officials, family members, friends, wives and children, however, remained silent on the state of his health, while some palace sources hinted that events around the palace suggested that the traditional ruler had joined his ancestors,” Tribune said.

It added that the Ooni’s first son, Prince Adetokunbo Sijuwade, might have left the shores of Nigeria last night for London.

The paper recalled that “just last week, Oba Okunade Sijuwade resolved the industrial dispute between the management of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and some staff of the institution, who had embarked on an indefinite strike.”

Sijuade became the 50th Ooni of Ife on December 6, 1980. His coronation was attended by the late Emir Kano, Oba of Benin, Amayanabo of Opobo, Olu of Warri, as well as representatives of Queen of England.

•Photo shows late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubose II.