Businesses shut in Ota/Agbara as Olota passage rites begin

Following the rites of passage, which has commenced in the entire Ota and Awori land, consisting of Sango Ota, Atan, Igbesa and Agbara, all in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area as a result of the death of Oba Moshood Oyede, Olota of Ota, curfew has been declared, just as businesses have been abruptly shut.

Although, for almost a week, the town has been awashed of the news of the demise of the monarch, the confirmation released on the demise of the traditional ruler by Ogun State government on Tuesday officially broke the news and created panic among traders, who abruptly closed shops.

Speaking in Abeokuta on Tuesday, Jide Ojuko, commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, who is also an indigene of the city, said the remains of the monarch would arrive Ota on Tuesday (yesterday) and all markets in Ota would be shut for seven days, for passing rites.

He said: “Starting from today (Tuesday), the passage rites of the Olota of Ota will commence, as his remains would arrive today. The rites will last for seven days, and all markets will be shut in honour of the departed monarch.”

Ojuko said the late monarch was a teacher who retired as a principal, saying: “He taught in Ansar-ud-deen College, Sango High School, Aiyetoro Comprehensive High School, among others, before he retired as a principal. He was aged 73 years.”

The commissioner, who noted that the Olota-in-Council would give further details on other funeral rites for the monarch, told BusinessDay that the late monarch spent 19 years on the throne, and died at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, after a protracted illness.

Also, in a terse statement signed by the commissioner for information and strategy, Dayo Adeneye, on Tuesday in Abeokuta, read: “The Ogun State government hereby announces the demise of His Royal Highness Alayeluwa Oba Moshood Adetoro Alani Oyede, the Olota of Ota.

“Baba, in his life time, was an educationist and community leader, who worked tirelessly for the development of Ota in particular and Ogun State in general.  He will be sorely missed for his fatherly role and wise counsel.

“May God grant the royal family, the Olota in Council and his subjects the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”