80th Birthday of Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona

For Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, this is a season of accolades. The Ijebu monarch, who is regarded as the longest serving in the country, on 2 April clocked 54 years on the throne of his forefathers.

For Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, this is a season of accolades. The Ijebu monarch, who is regarded as the longest serving in the country, on 2 April clocked 54 years on the throne of his forefathers.
A colourful ceremony was organized to round off the week long activities of the Awujale of Ijebuode's birthday took place at Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.

Notable personalities in attendance include Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, his Bayelsa State counterpart, Hon. Seriake Dickson, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju BolaTinubu, former Oyo State Governor, Chief Omololu Olunloyo, President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the Chairman, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Otunba Subomi Balogun and the Chairman, Globacom, Chief Mike Adenuga, as well as former governors in Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Also, an array of traditional rulers across the nation, included the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Obi of Onitsha, Dr Nnemeka Achebe, Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Michael Sonariwo, Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Olusanya Dosunmu, and Osile of Oke-Ona, Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, among others.

President Goodluck Jonathan, while paying a glowing tribute to the monarch, described him as a big masquerade.  Jonathan represented by his Chief of Staff, General Jones Arogbofa (retd) commended the traditional ruler's enormous contributions to the development of the country, urging well-meaning Nigerians to emulate him.

Excerpts:  "You (Oba Awujale) are a big masquerade. You have contributed enormously to the development of government during the period of your service and reign.

"Let me thank our people in Ijebuland for the manner they have worked with you. These people love you. God himself loves you. For God to keep you till 80 years, it is not by accident. You are an overcomer. Because of your fatherly leadership, that is why you are so loved."

The President also used the occasion to appeal to Nigerians to cooperate with the federal government in addressing the current deplorable security situation in the country.

Earlier in his address, Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun extolled the virtues of Oba Adetona, describing him as a "colossus", noting that apart from using his position to redefine the landscape of Ijebuland, the monarch had also used his wealth of experience to assist various governments.

"Kabiyesi is a colossus. He is one Oba that represents the finest and the best in the traditional institution. He is fearless. He uses his wealth of experience to help government; he doesn't use it to fight government," he said.

Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun declared that, if not for the monarch, he would have found it difficult to achieve all what he has achieved since he assumed office. He thanked the monarch for his unflinching support over the last three years of his administration.

The governor announced the naming of the newly constructed flyover in Ijebu Ode after the monarch, as a mark of honor and respect for the man, who is the oldest reigning monarch in Yorubaland.

“Over the years, Kabiyesi has used his wealth of experience to nurture, advise and assist all the governments that have served in Ogun State. I can say that, because all my predecessors, can attest to what Kabiyesi did when they were in office. We are grateful to you and may the Lord continue to be with you. There is no way myself and my government could have achieved so much.