Before occupying his forebears’ throne, the Awujale of Ijebuland, the late Alaiyeluwa Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, was by divine intervention a man of promise seen as a symbol of hope and potential, embodying the future and the fulfillment of dreams of his people.
His father was to ascend the throne, but fate had other plans for the young man savouring the beauty of life in England. His father said he could not cope with the rigours of Obaship and nominated his son. Others did the same: it was written in the stars and solidified by destiny.
His birth and education
Born on May 10, 1934, Oba Adetona became the Awujale on April 2, 1960, being a member of the Anikinaiya Ruling House. He succeeded Oba Daniel Adesanya, Gbelegbuwa II.
Oba Adetona, who grew up in his family house in Ijebu Ode, was adjudged as Nigeria’s longest ruling monarch having spent 65 years on the throne.
His father was Prince Rufai Adetona Adeleke, one of the sons of Oba Adeleke, Ogbagba Agbotewole I and his mother Ajibabi Adetona (nee Onashile), herself a princess from Ijebu Igbo.
Oba Adetona began his education at Ogbere United Primary School in Ijebu Igbo. He also attended Ansar-Ud-Deen School, Ijebu Ode from 1943 to 1950. From there, he proceeded to Olu-Iwa Secondary School, which later became Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu-Ode. He studied at Adeola Odutola College between 1951 and 1956.
Working experience
Thereafter, he was appointed at the Western Regional Civil Service in the accounts department. He later resigned his appointment for advanced accounting studies in the United Kingdom. Two years later in 1960, Oba Adetona was appointed and coronated as king.
His achievements on throne
The Awujale was highly regarded and idolised across the country, especially for his influence in national and global precincts.
His achievements have left indelible imprints on his environments and humanity. His giant strides in microfinance, poverty alleviation, the transformation of the Ojude Oba festival into a cultural and iconic global brand, the mobilisation of age grade groups “Regberegbe” into a powerhouse for fundraising and sustainable development, the deployment of the traditional institution to speak truth to power and berate mediocre leadership, among others, are no less inspiring and worthy of emulation.
He brought pomp and ceremony into the annual Ojude Oba festival, making it grandiose.
The festival is a panoply of traditional horse-riding skills, music, and dance, by the Balogun, war leaders, and other horse riding families in Ijebu Ode. The Ojude Oba event takes place two days after the Eid-el-kabir.
His interventions are deeply rooted in economic empowerment and educational development. One of the most successful poverty reduction programmes in the country was championed by Oba Adetona through the Ijebu Development Initiative on Poverty Reduction.
The initiative had impacted 5000 people, also leading to agricultural development, employment creation, microfinance and community-based development activities.
Oba Adetona also put a gloss on humanity through education.
In March 2016, he organised a fundraising ceremony on an unprecedented scale, which culminated in N1 billion Endowment Fund for the launch of a Professorial Chair in Governance at the Department of Political Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University.
It was regarded as the best funded professorial chair in the country and beyond. It developed an identity of its own and created a niche in the Ivory Tower.
Oba Adetona also developed the Oba Adetona Institute of Governance Studies at the Olabisi Onabanjo University. It started in May 2020 with the appointment of a director-general. The professorial chair and the institute have sufficiently improved the ambience and infrastructure of the university.
As a tribute to the first class monarch when he clocked 90 years, President Bola Tinubu conferred the award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on the Awujale.
The President also upgraded the Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona College of Governance to an affiliate of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, in Plateau State.
Meanwhile, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun noted that permanent secretaries in the service of the state would be the first set of enrollees of the newly upgraded school.
Awujale had received the honorary degree of Doctor of Law from the Federal University of Technology (now Modibbo Adama University of Technology) Yola, where he was chancellor. He was also awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law at Olabisi Onabanjo University.
In 2022, Abiodun renamed Tai Solarin College of Education, Omu-Ajose, as Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology, an educational institution solely committed to developing mid-level teachers for Ogun State and the nation.
Political life
As soon as Oba Adetona was enthroned as Awujale, he was sworn in as a member of the Western Nigeria House of Chiefs, the upper chamber of Western Nigeria Parliament. Also, he was appointed a minister without portfolio and a member of the Western Nigeria Executive Council (the cabinet led by the Premier of Western Nigeria).
When Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was the first Premier of Western Nigeria, and his successor, Ladoke Akintola, were placed under house restriction after the 1962 crisis, Oba Adetona was appointed as a commissioner (equivalent of a minister) without portfolio when Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi was appointed Administrator of Western Nigeria by Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
When the regime of Military President Ibrahim Babangida annulled the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, Awujale voiced his concerns: “In June 1993, the (presidential) elections finally held, and apparently against all IBB’s calculations… the results pointed in the direction of one winner– Chief MKO Abiola…
“IBB was the one who printed the ballot papers, fixed and changed the election dates several times. Then, of his own volition again, he called for an election and people voted. Now, instead of promoting chaos and crisis, IBB should go…”
When General Olusegun Obasanjo (retd.) came to him as IBB’s emissary to pitch the idea of an interim government as an alternative to disannulling Abiola’s election as president, Awujale made a suggestion: “If a substantive government was to be formed… it was Abiola, who had won the election, who should head it. But if, on the other hand, an interim government was the preferred option, that would still not disqualify Abiola from heading the interim government.”
He was actively involved in the mission to reinstate the presidential mandate of Abiola and was part of the National Democratic Coalition. He was even given the moniker “NADECO Oba”.
Demonstrating his boldness when General Sani Abacha sidelined the interim government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan, the Awujale reportedly told him off. In his autobiography he said: “I issued a statement against the military government (headed by Gen Abacha)… I said that since Chief Abiola had won the election, the new dispensation should have been headed by a Yoruba man.”
He has also encouraged the governor and members of Ogun State House of Assembly to pass a law that allows deceased monarchs in the state to be buried according to their religious beliefs and practice.
Lessons
Oba Adetona’s reign has not been smooth. He overcame what was described as conspiracy. In a quote after his triumph over his adversaries, he said: “When one considers the threat and politically induced plot to depose me in 1981, the victory is the highest testimony of my reign.”
His remarkable and inspiring life is worthy of emulation and a study in patience and perseverance. Awujale’s involvement in the political and social sphere of the nation underlined his deep seated love to ensure the country marches into greatness.
His resilient spirit, dedication and resolve to impact humanity were timely reminders that his longevity was beneficial.
