Markets were yesterday ordered by Ife traditional chiefs to be closed for seven days.
The development followed the official announcement of the death of Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Olubuse II.
As early as 10am yesterday, town criers went to the market places to deliver the messages to market men and women.
The town criers were seen at Oja Ife, Oja Sabo, Lagere and others, warning traders to comply with the order or face dire consequences.
Commercial banks within the town did not open for transaction, except for a long queue of customers at many Automated Teller Machines points, waiting to make withdrawals.
The state government yesterday ordered clearing of bushes on the road sides from Ife-Ibadan expressway to the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) area.
Commercial buses plying the university campus yesterday were busy conveying many students in and out of the university, unlike on Wednesday when the students remained on campus all day in compliance with the restriction order during the Oro rituals for the departed monarch.
Some of the prominent citizens that came to commiserate with the people of Ife yesterday, include the factional leader of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams and another leader of the group, Dr. Fredrick Fasheun.
Adams described Oba Sijuwade as symbol of the stool of the Yoruba people. Fasheun, who expressed shock at the news of the death of the traditional ruler, said he was one among millions.
Fasheun enjoined Yoruba sons and daughters not to allow his demise to cause disunity among them.
A former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, described Oba Sijuwade as a father, confidant, mentor, nationalist and a rare patriot .
He prayed for the repose of his soul.
The body of Oba Sijuwade will be buried today, according to the eldest son of the monarch, Prince Adetokunbo.
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