Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka, today led calls for national mourning following the death of His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the revered Awujale of Ijebuland, who passed away at the age of 91.
Expressing personal sorrow and deep respect, Hon. Adeboye described Oba Adetona as “a rare gem, a symbol of wisdom and tradition” whose six-decade reign had transformed Ijebuland and inspired pride across Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole.
Read Also: SSA Adeboye Mourns President Muhammadu Buhari: “A Towering Legacy Of Discipline, Patriotism, and Integrity”
“The passing of His Majesty is a profound loss—not just for Ijebu land, but for our entire nation. His counsel guided generations, and his legacy of unity, education, and cultural revival will endure,” Adeboye said.
Oba Adetona ascended the throne on April 2, 1960, and ruled for over 64 years, becoming one of Nigeria’s longest-serving traditional rulers. He was credited with elevating cultural celebrations like the Ojude Oba festival to global prominence, championing education, healthcare, and infrastructural development in Ijebu land .
Governor Dapo Abiodun, in a statement shared by the Ogun State Government, described the monarch’s death as “double sadness,” coming just hours after the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari .
In his tribute, Adeboye extended condolences to the Adetona royal family, the people of Ogun State, and the entire Ijebu community:
“May the Almighty grant you the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
As tributes continue to pour in, from national leaders to cultural groups, Oba Adetona’s death marks the end of an era in traditional governance. His reign—spanning military and civilian regimes—was anchored in unifying leadership and principled service.
Hon. Adeboye emphasized that Oba Adetona’s legacy offers a powerful template for future leaders, reminding them that sustaining cultural heritage, supporting education, and uniting communities are essential ingredients of national growth.
The National Council of Traditional Rulers and the Ogun State Government have already begun arrangements for state burial ceremonies to honor the late monarch
