•Late Awujale of Ijebuland, Sikiru Kayode Adetona
Soldiers, yesterday, barred traditionalists believed to be members of the Osugbo cult from the Muslim funeral held for the late Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
The presence of cult members at the funeral caused some apprehension, but people around began shouting at them, while soldiers took control of the situation and escorted the traditionalists out of the royal father’s residence.
The remains of the monarch were later interred at his Ijebu Ode private residence around 6 pm yesterday, according to Islamic rites, reports The PUNCH.
Recall that traditionalists in the state had rejected the Oba and Chiefs Law of 2021, which stipulated that traditional rulers could be buried according to their religious disposition.
The traditionalists opposed the provision of the law, arguing that to preserve tradition, royal fathers must be buried according to the established tradition.
The Osugbo cult member came yesterday to see if it was possible to take over the burial of the late monarch, who was reportedly instrumental to the amendment of the law in the state.
However, soldiers barred them from disrupting the funeral.
Oba Adetona, who reigned for 65 years, died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91 years.
He was buried beside his late father in what appeared like a family mausoleum where his mum was also buried.
The interment was preceded by Islamic prayers led by the Chief Imam of Ijebu land, Sheikh Muftaudeen Ayanbadejo.
Dignitaries at the burial were the immediate-past Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), Governor Dapo Abiodun, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Oluwadaisi Elemide, former governors, Segun Osoba and Gbenga Daniel, and Senator Adegbenga Kaka.
Also present were the Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, Senator Solomon Adeola representing Ogun West senatorial district and his Ogun Central counterpart, Senator Salisu Shuaib, among others.
Speaking at the event, Governor Abiodun said “The reign of Oba Adetona was not only marked by longevity but by his towering wisdom, deep influence, enduring legacy of generosity, selflessness, progress and uncommon peace.”
The governor said Oba Adetona was not only a pride of Ijebu land but a proud son of Nigeria who devoted his 65 years of reign to serving the people.
The governor said the brilliance of the late royal father was recognised so early when he was appointed as a minister and a member of the Western Region executive council.
He said, “Kabiyesi was a bundle of intellect, he was principled, he was forthright, he was a philosopher, a social engineer, a transparent and incorruptible monarch and equitable judgement with a solid commitment to the Nigerian state.”
Abiodun said he would undoubtedly miss the monarch’s wise counsel and support to his government, even when there was stiff opposition to his ambition in the buildup to the 2019 general election.
He said though the royal father might have taken his bow after a very defining rule that brought so much development to Ijebu land and the country at large, his legacy of selfless service and love for the people would continue to serve as a guide to the generation coming behind.
Dangote hailed the late Awujale for his love for the people, irrespective of which part of the country they came from.
He described the late monarch as a man of influence and a leader who prioritised service to the people, describing his contribution to national development as invaluable and worthy of emulation.
The Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu land, Sunny Kuku, speaking to journalists at the event, described Oba Adetona as a truly remarkable monarch who made royalty a source of envy.
Kuku, who will assume the role of reagent until the new Awujale is appointed, added “Essentially, our Kabiyesi was a man of integrity, a man who spoke his mind, a man who had so much wisdom.
“He was devoted to education. In terms of poverty reduction, he really used his resources and throne to fight poverty in society and empower the people.
“He was a worthy ambassador of culture. He turned Ojude Oba into a global event and that has really impacted the economic fortune of Ijebu land. He was one man that could be trusted to defend the poor.
“He did not just love the people of Ijebu land, he loved the country and when the nation was in turmoil, he took the right step, he spoke his mind. We are missing him already.”
Similarly, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, hailed the deceased monarch’s rare leadership qualities of pure love and service to humanity.
Adebutu said Nigerians must imbibe Awujale’s qualitative leadership qualities and devotion to engineering socio-economic and sociocultural development which were tailored towards building a better life for the people.
Daniel hailed the forthright leadership of the late Awujale, describing him as a fearless monarch who never shied from speaking truth to power.
Daniel equally stated that one of the best ways to honour the late royal father who reigned for 65 years was to ensure the actualisation of the creation of a new state out of the old Ijebu Province because it was one of the long-cherished dreams of the late monarch.
Daniel said “I think it is common knowledge that in Kabiyesi Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, you have a personality who can speak truth to power at any time and who can be described as fearless, abhors people telling lies and straight forward to a fault.
“Kabiyesi is not anyone who used to be diplomatic. He says it as it is. In the course of that, he garnered some detractors but at the end of the day, people said that he had virtually won all the battles that life threw at him. He was indeed a forthright personality.”
He added that given the strong wish of the royal father to get a new state created out of the old Ijebu Province, all the powers that be must rally to ensure that the dream of a new state became a reality, to immortalise the revered traditional ruler.
“The entire community is good about the creation of the state. The argument has been that of the 24 provinces created in 1924, only Ijebu Province has not been made a state and on that account alone, everyone believes that this error needs to be corrected.
“We know that particularly in a democratic dispensation, it is not that easy to create a state, it involves lots of arguments, lobbying and all that.
“But we feel very strongly that once the course is just, I am hoping that sooner or later, especially now that Kabiyesi is no more, the power that be will seize this opportunity to honour and immortalise him with the state creation,” he said.
Osoba hailed the legendary reign of Oba Adetona, describing him as a monarch with so much wisdom who did his very best to move forward not only in Ijebu land but the whole country.
Osoba said the late Oba Adetona would be sorely missed for his forthright and sincere leadership.
