Owo calm as traditional burial rites commence for Olateru-Olagbegi, Buhari mourns

Owo, an ancient city in Ondo State, wore a mournful look on Thursday following the demise of its traditional ruler, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, at 77.
The news of the death of Oba Olateru-Olagbegi, which filtered in on Wednesday morning as a rumour, was officially confirmed on Thursday morning.
In the ancient town, people were seen discussing the development in groups.
It was observed that there was no human or vehicular restrictions in the town while economic activities were ongoing except at the palace and the king’s market.
The palace was not accessible as the palace guards were on standby to prevent unauthorised persons from entering the palace.
Trees within the market had been cut off as part of the traditional rites for the late monarch.
Chief Niran Osuporu, the personal assistant to the late king, said that the monarch died Tuesday night in his palace after a brief illness.
Osuporu added that traditional burial rites for the late king had started according to the customs of the ancient town.
He said that there was no restriction on movement as all processes were peaceful.
Osuporu, who is one of the high chiefs of the town, said that the king’s market had been temporarily moved to another location until another king would be selected and installed in line with tradition of the town.
He said that all chiefs were forbidden to put on their beads as a mark of mourning of the late king.
Mr Shina Olateru-Olagbegi, a  younger brother of the late monarch, said that the death of the king was shocking but noted that the town was still calm and peaceful.
Olateru-Olagbegi also confirmed that all necessary arrangements had been made for the traditional burial rites of the departed monarch.
One of the indigenes of the town, Dr Adebayo Owa, that the demise of the king had put the whole town into a mourning mood.
Owa, who is a lecturer at Federal University, Oye Ekiti, described the reign of the late king as very peaceful.
He prayed that the existing peace would continue in the town during the reign of the next king.
Meanwhile, Buhari has condoled with the family of Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, the Olowo of Owo and the people of Owo in Ondo State on the death of the highly revered traditional ruler.
The president, in a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Thursday, also commiserated with the government and people of Ondo State on the demise of the traditional ruler.
The President affirmed that the late royal father was recognised as an accomplished legal luminary and tutor who played an exemplary role in the training and development of lawyers in the country during his days as a teacher in Nigeria Law School.
According to the president, the departed monarch will be fondly remembered and honoured for his numerous social, economic, educational, peace building and community development initiatives, which greatly endeared him to people in his domain and other admirers across the country.
The President assured that his thoughts and prayers are with the people of Owo and Ondo as they prepare for the burial rites of the Olowo.
He prayed that the almighty God would receive the soul of Oba Olateru-Olagbegi, who was former Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, and grant his people a worthy successor.