President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mourned the demise of One of Nigeria’s most outstanding and revered traditional rulers, His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, saying his death has left an enormous void within the traditional institutions in Yoruba land and Nigeria in general.
President Tinubu in a personally written statement on Sunday on the passing of His Majesty Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, The Awujale of Ijebuland, said he received the news of the foremost monarch’s transition Sunday night with double pain, as it coincided with the passing of his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Nigerian Leader described Oba Adetona as a towering natural ruler who served his people with dignity, panache, class, and an unmistakable sense of duty.
He recounted his remarkable reign, emphasising that it witnessed tremendous progress and development in Ijebu-Ode and the entire Ijebuland, “Oba Adetona provided uncompromising leadership to his people.”
The President extolled the Awujale’s 65years of reign on the throne, he underscored the prominence of his leadership as a foremost ruler that advanced the cause of progress and national unity.
“I received the news of this transition with double pain in my heart as it coincided with the passing of my predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari. The demise of Oba Adetona has left an enormous void within the traditional institutions in Yoruba land and Nigeria in general.
“Oba Adetona was a towering natural ruler who served his people with dignity, panache, class, and an unmistakable sense of duty.
“During his remarkable reign that witnessed tremendous progress and development in Ijebu-Ode and the entire Ijebuland, Oba Adetona provided uncompromising leadership to his people.” President Tinubu added.
He referred the monarch of the Ijebu Kingdom as an honest arbiter, confidante and reliable leader without any guile .
“In his over six decades on the throne, ascending at 26, Oba Adetona used his role as a foremost ruler to advance the cause of progress and national unity. In a time of national crisis and uncertainty, he stood firmly as a voice of reason.
“I enjoyed an excellent personal relationship with Kabiyesi. I will forever cherish our time together.
“He was an honest arbiter, confidante, and reliable leader without any guile. I found his company comforting, wisdom enriching, and candour empowering.” The President added.
President Tinubu extolled Oba Adetona’s sterling qualities of service, philanthropy, investment in education, and research through the School of Postgraduate and Research Studies in Governance at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.
He said his contribution to education will be enduring monuments in his memory.
The President extended his condolences to the family, Governor of Ogun State ,Dapo Abiodun the people of Ogun State, and sons and daughters of Ijebuland.
President Tinubu prays that the soul of the departed revered monarch find eternal rest.
“May our departed Kabiyesi find eternal rest, and may we be comforted by his legacy of outstanding service.” The President prayed.
Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91, just hours after the death of his longtime friend, former President Muhammadu Buhari, was announced.
Double pain deaths
Oba Adetona’s friendship with Nigeria’s ex-leader Muhamamdu Buhari, dated back to the 1980s and was reportedly strengthened by events surrounding the 1983 military coup.
The coincidence of the death of the two age long friends on the same day has been described as a day of double sadness for Nigeria, highlighting the significant loss to both the traditional institution in Yoruba land and the nation’s political history.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Adetona joined his ancestors after over 65 remarkable years on the throne.
Olusola Akintonde