Nigeria is thrown into mourning again as Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, has passed away at the age of 91.
His death, confirmed on Sunday by officials close to the palace and Ogun State government, came just hours after the passing of his longtime friend and former President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to The Cable, the respected monarch died peacefully in Ijebu-Ode, leaving behind a legacy that spans over six decades of traditional leadership.
He ascended the throne on April 2, 1960, and reigned for 64 years, making him one of Nigeria’s longest-serving traditional rulers.
Oba Adetona was widely seen as a voice of wisdom, integrity, and bold truth in the traditional institution.
He was never afraid to challenge political authority and remained committed to justice, unity, and development.
His influence shaped the cultural, economic, and political identity of Ijebuland and Ogun State at large.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State expressed deep sorrow over the monarch’s passing, calling it “a monumental loss not only to Ijebuland but to Nigeria as a whole.”
In a condolence message, he described the monarch as “a beacon of unity and progress,” whose reign “significantly shaped Ijebuland, Ogun State and Nigeria in general.”
“Oba Adetona joined his ancestors today at the age of 91, leaving behind a remarkable legacy,” the governor stated. “Throughout his reign, he was a beacon of unity, cultural preservation, and progressive development,” Abiodun added.
Furthermore, he was known for fostering educational growth, enhancing healthcare systems, and encouraging local enterprise. Under his leadership, Ijebuland thrived as a cultural and economic hub.
Interestingly, his long-standing friendship with Muhammadu Buhari started under dramatic political circumstances.
In 1983, the Ogun State government had already signed an order to depose him.
But just days before it could take effect, Buhari’s military coup disrupted the political landscape, indirectly preserving the monarch’s reign.
Though the coup was not aimed at defending the monarch, it became a turning point.
The bond between both men, formed in those tense moments, grew into a quiet, enduring friendship built on mutual respect and shared values.
The passing of the Awujale, following so closely after former President Buhari’s death, has left many Nigerians describing this period as one of “double sadness.”
