Daud Olatunji
The Onipokia of Ipokia Kingdom in Ogun State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Yisa Olusola Adeniyi Olaniyan, has died after spending over five years on the throne.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the first-class monarch, who ascended the throne in August 2020 as the 46th Onipokia of Ipokia Kingdom and Paramount Ruler of Ipokia Local Government, died in the early hours of Sunday.
He was reportedly 55 and was preparing to mark his sixth coronation anniversary later this year.
Sources within the palace disclosed that the monarch had been absent from public engagements and official palace activities for some time, fuelling speculation about his health before news of his death filtered into the community.
It was learnt that the monarch died following complications from a throat surgery, although palace authorities had yet to issue an official statement as of the time of filing this report.
The news has thrown the ancient town of Ipokia into mourning, with residents and admirers of the monarch expressing grief over the development.
Traditional chants, including the solemn refrain, “Oro nla le da,” echoed across parts of the community as sympathisers gathered to mourn the late royal father.
Before his ascension to the throne, Oba Olaniyan was a United States-based entertainment executive. He founded Afro-Heritage Entertainment and was the organiser of the Afro-Heritage Broadcasting and Entertainment Awards.
The monarch celebrated his fifth coronation anniversary alongside his 55th birthday in September 2025.
His reign, however, was not without controversy. In 2022, a rival ruling house petitioned the Ogun State Government, seeking his suspension pending the determination of a legal dispute over the stool.
As of press time, neither the Ogun State Government nor the Ipokia Traditional Council had officially announced funeral arrangements or confirmed the cause of death.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation from palace officials were unsuccessful.
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