President Bola Tinubu on Sunday paid tribute to the late Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, describing him as an exemplary monarch who brought dignity, pride and honour to Yorubaland.
Tinubu, who spoke at the eight-day Fidau held at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode, hailed the late monarch, who died at 91, as a courageous democrat and a firm ally during the struggle against the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election believed to have been won by MKO Abiola.
Tinubu also recalled the monarch’s support for his 2023 presidential bid, saying the Yoruba narrative would have been incomplete had he lost.
Tinubu said, “Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebu land, was a great leader of conscience, tradition and of great value. He brought pride, dignity and honour to the Yoruba race. I am extremely proud of him. He was always there at that time of need for all of us.
“I could recount June 12 episodes in his palace are for real. Our resistance, our determination to reverse the annulment of June 12. Baba was steadfast, resolute and very encouraging.
“That he lived to be 91 years old and to be honoured during his 90th birthday with the GCON title is what I always considered a great honour.
“He was very honest, bold, courageous, and truthful. He will not deceive you.
“Our history would not have been completed, carefully and richly, if I had failed in the last election. I was successful because of your support and because of the blessing of the late Awujale.
“I came to him, and he blessed me, and he said, ‘You are winning that election, and you will be returned to office.”
Tinubu, accompanied by his wife, First Lady Oluremi, and governors from Ogun, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti and Kwara states, said the late monarch’s wisdom was unmatched.
“Today, he is no more. He is gone. The richness of his wisdom is uncommon, as espoused by Governor Dapo Abiodun in his address,” Tinubu said.
“We have to be more united, bonded in the spirit that he left behind. We must cherish his legacy and appreciate him in death. We have named institutions after him. His legacies will endure.
“It is left for you and me to reflect on the culture and value that he represented. May Almighty Allah grant him Aljanah Firdaus,” Tinubu said.
In his tribute, Governor Dapo Abiodun described the Awujale as a distinguished monarch whose 65-year reign was marked by reforms and service to the people.
“Ijebu land became prosperous under his reign. He became a bridge between our cherished past and the future.
“He upholds the dignity of Ijebu land while championing modern values as custodian of culture and tradition and simultaneously a bold reformer,” Abiodun said.
The governor added that the monarch was a fearless voice for the voiceless and had been honoured by the state with the renaming of the College of Education in Omu-Ijebu.
“Oba Awujale promoted peace and religious harmony; let us therefore commit ourselves to preserving peace and harmony and building on the strong foundation laid by the late Awujale.
“Let us honour Kabiyesi not only with ceremonies and words but with our actions that reflect his values.
“Let us not allow discord to undermine his exemplary legacy. The eyes of the nation are upon us, and the greatest tribute we can pay to our departed monarch is to sustain the harmony and dignity he so preserved,” Abiodun said.
Clerics, traditional rulers, and dignitaries attended the occasion, including former Ogun governors Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Senator Gbenga Daniel, and Chief Olusegun Osoba.
Sheikh Jamiu Bello, President of the League of Imams and Alfas in the South West, led the Fidau, which was also supported by Sheikh Muftaudeen Ayanbadejo and other Islamic authorities.
In a speech, Chief Imam of Gbagura, Professor Emeritus Kamaldeen Balogun, exhorted political leaders to follow the monarch’s honesty, service, and commitment to God, reminding them of the transient nature of power.
