Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State | July 13, 2025
Nigeria was plunged into mourning on Sunday as President Bola Tinubu and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun led tributes for the late Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who passed away at 91.
The revered monarch’s death at his Ijebu-Ode GRA residence marked the end of a historic 65-year reign that transformed Ijebuland into a bastion of cultural preservation and socioeconomic development.
In a poignant coincidence, the monarch’s transition came hours before the announcement of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s passing in a London hospital, creating what Governor Abiodun described as “a double tragedy for our nation.”
The governor’s official statement painted a portrait of a visionary royal father whose reign, beginning in 1960, paralleled Nigeria’s journey from independence to modernity. Under Oba Adetona’s astute leadership, Ijebuland blossomed into an economic powerhouse while maintaining its rich cultural identity – most notably through the globally celebrated Ojude Oba festival which became a model for cultural tourism.
The late Awujale’s legacy extends beyond ceremonial duties, having established groundbreaking educational institutions including the Oba Sikiru Adetona College of Governance that has trained generations of public servants. His innovative approach to traditional rulership saw Ijebuland pioneer community-led infrastructure projects and healthcare initiatives that became templates for rural development across Southwest Nigeria.
As preparations begin for a state-assisted burial, Prof. Fassy Yusuff, a high-ranking Ijebu chief, confirmed the monarch’s peaceful transition, noting that official announcements regarding funeral rites would follow traditional protocols.
The dual passing of these national icons has cast a reflective mood across the country, with many Nigerians taking to social media to celebrate Oba Adetona’s unique blend of progressive vision and cultural authenticity that earned him respect far beyond Yorubaland.
