Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade, or Sijuade, (1 January 1930 – 28 July 2015) became the fiftieth traditional ruler or Ooni of Ife in 1980, taking the regnal name Olubuse II. Ife is a traditional Yoruba state based in the town of Ife in Osun State, Nigeria. He was crowned on 6 December 1980 in a ceremony attended by the Emir of Kano, Oba of Benin, Amayanabo of Opobo and Olu of Warri, as well as by representatives of the Queen of England.
Sijuwade was born on 1 January 1930 in Ile-Ife to the Ogboru ruling house, grandson of the Ooni Sijuwade Adelekan Olubuse I. He studied at Abeokuta Grammar School and Oduduwa College in Ile-Ife. He worked for three years in his father's business, then for two years with the Nigerian Tribune, before attending Northampton College in the United Kingdom to study business management. By the age of 30 he was a manager in Leventis, a Greek-Nigerian conglomerate. In 1963 he became Sales Director of the state-owned National Motor in Lagos. After spotting a business opportunity during a 1964 visit to the Soviet Union, he formed a company to distribute Soviet-built vehicles and equipment in Nigeria, which became the nucleus of a widespread business empire. He also invested in real estate in his home town of Ile Ife. By the time Sijuwade was crowned Ooni in 1980 he had become a wealthy man.
WHAT A DAY
Music by Elio Pace
Words by Elio Pace, Helen McNee & Matt Daniel-Baker
Copyright Control
Hey look, the snow has settled all around
I hear the sweetness of a choir’s sound
A crazy rush on Christmas Eve
And all the children can’t believe
When the bells start to chime
That Santa will be right on time
What a day, what a day, the magic is here
What a day, what a day, been waiting all year
What a day, what a day
It’s Christmas in that old fashioned way
Hey look, some more surprises on the tree
Turn on a classic movie on TV
The favourite songs you love to sing
With Frank and Elvis, Nat and Bing
There’s a knock at the door
The party’s gonna swing some more
What a day, what a day, the magic is here
What a day, what a day, been waiting all year
What a day, what a day
It’s Christmas in that old fashioned way
And so let us drink to the memories in our hearts
We’ll raise, raise a glass to you, near or far
Wherever you are
With everyone we love so dear
Let’s celebrate this time of year
And the bells start to chime
A very merry Christmas time
What a day, what a day, the magic is here
What a day, what a day, been waiting all year
For stockings on the fireplace and candles all aglow
And we’ll just keep on dancing underneath the mistletoe
What a day, what a day
What a day, what a day
What a day, what a day