Judul : Awujale dies at 91 after 65 years on throne
link : Awujale dies at 91 after 65 years on throne
Awujale dies at 91 after 65 years on throne
The Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, has joined his ancestors.
He died at the age of 91 on Sunday, just hours after the passing of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, a longtime friend of the monarch.
Governor Dapo Abiodun confirmed his death in a statement personally signed on Sunday night.
He said the late monarch left behind a remarkable legacy that has significantly shaped Ijebuland, Ogun State and Nigeria in general.
Abiodun said 'It is indeed double sadness that Oba Adetona joined his ancestors the same day that the former President, Muhammadu died in a London, the United Kingdom hospital.
'Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona was a remarkable royal father, who ascended the throne in 1960, marking the beginning of a transformative era for Ijebuland. Throughout his reign, he was a beacon of unity, cultural preservation, and progressive development. His dedication to the welfare of his people was evident in his efforts to foster educational advancements, healthcare improvements, and economic growth within the state and Nigeria.
'Under his guidance, Ijebuland witnessed remarkable strides in infrastructure and community development, establishing itself as a model of progress in Ogun State. His leadership not only enhanced the cultural heritage of Ijebuland with the Ojude Oba festival attaining international standards but also solidified its reputation as a thriving hub of commerce and tradition.
'As we mourn his passing, let us celebrate the extraordinary life of Oba Adetona and honour his contributions to our country. His wisdom, kindness, and unwavering commitment to the betterment of his people will forever be etched in our hearts.
'May his soul rest in peace, and may we continue to uphold the values he instilled in us during his illustrious reign.'
Daily Trust reports that last month, Awujale for the very first time in decades was absent at the age-long Ojude-Oba festival.
Ojude-Oba, 'the king's fore-court', is a century -old festival in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, and it's known to the Ijebus as a major annual festival that brings them together.
The festival is celebrated on the third day after Id-El-Kabir. The festival has its traditional, cultural, religious and social military significance.
The Awujale is the symbol of the festival and during the yearly event, participants otherwise known as Regberegbes, the age-groups, usually parade at the venue and pay homage to the highly revered monarch who has been on the throne for more than six decades.
The 91-year-old monarch was conspicuously absent at this year's event but represented by his Queen, Olori Kemi Adetona.
It was gathered that Awujale's absence was due to his health status and old age.
Born on 10 May 1934, Oba Adetona was installed as the king in 1960, making him one of the longest reigning monarchs in Nigeria. His father was Prince Rufai Adeto and mother, Alhaja Ajibabi Adetona (née Onashile). As king, he represents the Anikilaya ruling family.
Destined to be an Oba, Prince Sikiru Kayode Adetona was far way in the United Kingdom in pursuit of a professional career when the Anikinaiya ruling house from which he descended invited him home to ascend the throne of his ancestors following the demise of Oba Daniel Robertson Adesanya Gbelwguwa ll in January 1959.
Prince Sikiru Adetona was born into the Anikinaiya royal family of Ijebu Ode on May 10, 1934 and had his elementary education between 1943 and 1950 at Baptist school, Eroko, Ijebu-Ode; Ogbere United Primary School, Oke Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo and Bapist School, Ijebu-Ode.
Prince Adetona had his secondary education at Olu-Iwa college (Now Adeola Odutola College) Ijebu-Ode from 1951 to 1956 when he left to take up an appointment with the Audit Department of the western region of Nigeria between 1957 and 1958. He resigned in 1958 to pursue further studies in Accountancy in the United Kingdom between 1957 and 1958. He is an Associate Member of the Corporation of Secretaries and chartered Secretaries.
The Government of Western Nigeria approved his appointment as Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland on January 4, 1960.
His instrument of appointment was formally presented to him at the impressive ceremony by the then Premier of Western Nigeria, late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola. Three days later, the new Awujale took his seat at the Western House of Chiefs at lbadan.
In May 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred the second highest national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger on the Awujale for his immeasurable and invaluable contributions to national development.
Tinubu gave the honour at the 90th birthday ceremony of the paramount ruler held at the Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
The president, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, also announced that the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos has been directed to take over the management of Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance which the royal father bequeathed to the university.
He fought against mutilation of dead monarch's body
Oba Adetona remained a greatly loved, deeply and highly respected Oba, not only by his people of Ijebu but even beyond. Also, he was a devout Muslim. He was the President of Ogun State Muslim Council.
The late monarch during his life fought against mutilation of the dead monarch's body during burial by the traditionalists. He firmly believed that a monarch should be buried in line with his religious beliefs, a stance which pitched him against groups of traditionalists in Ijebu, Ogun State and Southwest.
He later pushed legislation in that regard.
While legislative process on the law lasted, traditional worshippers clashed severally with monarchs and the State House of Assembly over the bill, alleging it was an attempt to erode the culture of the Yorubas.
However, more than a year after the delay, the proposed legal framework bounced back in July 2021 in the assembly with slight modification to its title.
The bill was rechristened 'H.B. No. 069/ OG/ 2021- Obas, Chiefs, Council of Obas and Traditional Council law of Ogun State, 2021- A bill for a law to provide for an approved method for the selection, appointment and recognition of Obas, Chiefs and Traditional Council in Ogun State and for purposes incidental and supplementary to them.'
However, despite stiff resistance from the traditional worshippers, the assembly passed the bill and forwarded it to Abiodun for his assent.
Abiodun joined by the then Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Adetona, the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, signed the bill into law.
The bill was signed into law at the private residence of the Awujale in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
In his address, Abiodun said the new law now empowers the families to determine how remains of monarchs would be buried.
Responding, the Awujale said Abiodun has guaranteed his reelection with the signing of the bill.
He noted that both Muslims and the Christians 'are grateful to him for signing the bill.'
The creation of Ijebu State, perhaps, remains one of the last wishes of the monarch before he joined his ancestors on Sunday.
In January, Awujale visited Tinubu at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos.
Prior to the visit, the late monarch hardly made a public appearance except for the yearly Ojude Ode festival. The visit, it was gathered, was part of the first class monarch's frantic effort to ensure the ongoing push for the Ijebu State creation comes to a reality.
In December 2024, Oba Adetona called for a united front, among the people of Ijebu and Remo land, in the renewed efforts to realise the long held dream of creation of Ijebu State.
He made the call at a stakeholders meeting on the creation of Ijebu State, held at his Palace in Ijebu Ode.
Tributes pour in for late monarch
President Tinubu has expressed sadness over the death of the Awujale, describing him as one of Nigeria's most revered and outstanding traditional rulers.
In a statement personally signed on Sunday night, Tinubu said the monarch's passing marked a huge loss to Yorubaland and the country, especially as it coincided with the death of former President Buhari.
'Oba Adetona was a towering natural ruler who served his people with dignity, panache, class, and an unmistakable sense of duty,' Tinubu said.
According to the President, the monarch, who ascended the throne at age 26 and reigned for over 65 years, played a key role in fostering national unity and guiding his people through decades of transformation in Ijebuland.
The president recalled his personal relationship with the late monarch, describing him as a confidant and honest arbiter whose counsel he valued.
'I found his company comforting, wisdom enriching, and candour empowering,' he said.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the passing of the Awujale as a great loss to Nigeria, particularly the traditional institution.
He said the departure of Oba Adetona, who he described as one of the oldest traditional rulers in Nigeria, marked the end of an era in the country, especially in Ijebuland, where he ruled for 65 years.
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, also mourned the passing of Oba Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebu Land, who departed from this world on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
The Sultan, who spoke on the immense loss felt by his death, emphasised the significant roles that Oba Adetona played as a prominent Yoruba monarch and leader of the Ogun State Muslim Council.
'His leadership has been pivotal not only in his local community but also across the broader spectrum of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria,' he said.
He extended his condolences over the loss to the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, government of Ogun State, the Ogun State Muslim Council, where he served as President General, the Awujale-in-Council, the immediate family of Oba Adetona, and the cherished people of Ijebu Land.
In 2019, Oba Adetona gave Ijebu kingmakers conditions that must be put into consideration while appointing his successor when he finally joins his ancestors.
He said his would-be successor must not be a money bag who would destroy the achievements Ijebuland has recorded so far.
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