On July 13, 2025, Nigeria bade farewell to a pillar of tradition and unity, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, who joined his ancestors. He was 91. His transition came on the very day the nation also mourned former President Muhammadu Buhari, marking a profound day of national loss.
Born on May 10, 1934, in Imupa, Ijebu-Ode, Prince Adetona was heir to the royal House of Anikinaiya. Educated at Baptist and Ansar-Ud-Deen schools locally, he later trained in accountancy in the United Kingdom, exhibiting both tradition-rooted upbringing and modern aspiration.
At just 25, he ascended the throne on April 2, 1960 (the very year Nigeria gained independence) and would reign for 65 years, among the longest-serving monarchs in Nigerian history.
His age-long stewardship witnessed the transformation of Ijebuland through political change, economic development, and social evolution.
Ọba Adetona was known for his unwavering commitment to his people’s welfare. Under his reign, Ijebuland saw enhanced educational opportunities, improved healthcare services, and significant infrastructure development, earning the region recognition as a model of progress within Ogun State.
He revitalised the Ojude Oba festival, elevating it into a major cultural event that drew admirers from across Nigeria and beyond. Through tradition and pageantry, he wove unity and pride into the fabric of his people’s identity.
Renowned for his moral compass, Ọba Adetona was a respected adviser, not just to his subjects but to Nigeria’s leaders. He shared a notable friendship with ex-President Buhari, whose coup on December 31, 1983, ended an order to depose the monarch on January 2, 1984, an act that preserved his reign.
His Royal Majesty also garnered esteem on the national stage. President Tinubu conferred upon him the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON) in 2024, recognising his lifetime of service to governance, unity, and national development. #HistoryVille
HistoryVille
On July 13, 2025, Nigeria bade farewell to a pillar of tradition and unity, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, who joined his ancestors. He was 91. His transition came on the very day the nation also mourned former President Muhammadu Buhari, marking a profound day of national loss.
Born on May 10, 1934, in Imupa, Ijebu-Ode, Prince Adetona was heir to the royal House of Anikinaiya. Educated at Baptist and Ansar-Ud-Deen schools locally, he later trained in accountancy in the United Kingdom, exhibiting both tradition-rooted upbringing and modern aspiration.
At just 25, he ascended the throne on April 2, 1960 (the very year Nigeria gained independence) and would reign for 65 years, among the longest-serving monarchs in Nigerian history.
His age-long stewardship witnessed the transformation of Ijebuland through political change, economic development, and social evolution.
Ọba Adetona was known for his unwavering commitment to his people’s welfare. Under his reign, Ijebuland saw enhanced educational opportunities, improved healthcare services, and significant infrastructure development, earning the region recognition as a model of progress within Ogun State.
He revitalised the Ojude Oba festival, elevating it into a major cultural event that drew admirers from across Nigeria and beyond. Through tradition and pageantry, he wove unity and pride into the fabric of his people’s identity.
Renowned for his moral compass, Ọba Adetona was a respected adviser, not just to his subjects but to Nigeria’s leaders. He shared a notable friendship with ex-President Buhari, whose coup on December 31, 1983, ended an order to depose the monarch on January 2, 1984, an act that preserved his reign.
His Royal Majesty also garnered esteem on the national stage. President Tinubu conferred upon him the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON) in 2024, recognising his lifetime of service to governance, unity, and national development. #HistoryVille
4 months ago | [YT] | 20