Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the revered Awujale of Ijebuland, has passed away at the age of 91, marking the end of a remarkable 64-year reign.
The monarch died on Sunday, just hours after the passing of his close friend and former Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari, was announced.
Crowned on April 2, 1960, Oba Adetona was one of Nigeria’s longest-serving traditional rulers, widely respected for his wisdom, resilience, and dedication to the Ijebu people.
His enduring friendship with Buhari began in the early 1980s and was forged under dramatic circumstances. In late 1983, the then-governor of Ogun State, Olabisi Onabanjo, had signed an order to depose the Awujale, with the removal scheduled to take effect on January 2, 1984.
However, a military coup led by Muhammadu Buhari on December 31, 1983, toppled the civilian government and halted the deposition. In an unexpected turn of events, Buhari’s rise to power preserved Oba Adetona’s reign, solidifying a lifelong bond between the two leaders.
Oba Adetona’s legacy is oooo of steadfast leadership, cultural preservation, and a deep commitment to the welfare of his people. He leaves behind an indelible mark on Ijebuland and Nigerian history.
