The Ife Traditional Council on Monday urged Ile-Ife residents to discountenance the widely reported death of the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.

The council dispatched town criers to all the nooks and crannies of the town to debunk the report asking residents to go about their normal business without any hindrance.

The town criers who set out for business very early in the morning explained to residents that Oba Sijuwade is not only alive but hale and hearty.

They, however, assured residents that they would be informed promptly whenever there was any development adding that there is no restriction of movement of any kind within the metropolis.

However, in apparent preparation for the final rites for the departed monarch, it was learnt that the Ife Traditional Council held a marathon meeting behind closed doors at the palace yesterday.

Although the reason for the meeting was yet to be ascertained but it may not be unconnected with the reported arrival of the remains of the first class traditional ruler.

The meeting, it was gathered, had in attendance, all the traditional chiefs, including, the Lowa, Jaaran, Agoro, Arode, Osanire, Laade, lowate, Irabese, lodikos, Obalufe, Obajio, Obaloran, Waasin and Obalaaye, among others.

But the Obalufe of the source, Oba Samuel Omisakin who is the traditional Prime Minister of the ancient town was said to be conspicuously absent due to ill health.

It was gathered that probably to further the course of the ongoing Oro traditional festival or otherwise, some chiefs were seen transferring bundles of white cloths from one vehicle to the other at the palace premises.