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Tag: Awujale

  • ‘Awujale’s leadership style worthy of emulation’

    ‘Awujale’s leadership style worthy of emulation’

    The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero, has said the leadership style of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, should be studied and emulated.

    Alhaji Ado-Bayero, who visited the awujale yesterday, described the monarch as his ‘father’.

    Ado-Bayero, who arrived the GRA residence of the Awujale about 11:50am, also described the visit as ‘important, remarkable and a huge blessing’ to him. He was accompanied by eight officials of the Kano Emirate.

    According to the monarch, the visit would strengthen the existing cordial relationship that had existed for years, even between the Awujale and his late father, Alhaji Ado-Bayero. He added that it would also open a new vista of business and trade relations between Kano and Ijebu, stressing that apart from the shared ‘business acumen’, the two ancient cities also have many other areas of shared similarities.

    He said: “Awujale is an enigma, a ruler with a difference, a leader that we need to know and copy from. I’m happy in my lifetime, my reign, I am here and the experience I tapped from him today is an experience that will live forever in me.

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    “The Awujale is someone who has been at par with my forefathers for 64 years, and I am privileged to still have people like him around at 90. He is a real gem who is a close associate of my late father, and that is why I call him my father as well.

    “Coming here and get his blessings is something I will appreciate till the end of time. It is a good experience for me.

    When you look at the traditional institution before the colonial era and after the colonial era, it is an institution that has remained constant; the changes are there but the values and traditions are kept that whoever comes in will just tune in and it is perfect for us.”

    Oba Adetona, who recalled his journey to the throne at 25 years old, said his father favoured him with the revered traditional office, thereby bypassing his elder brothers to position him for the throne of his forebears.

    One of his achievements in office, according to him, is the new Ogun State Obaship and Chieftaincy law which provides that traditional rulers be given burial rites according to their faiths. According to him, this is to ensure that responsible people of means, credibility and integrity will be interested in becoming kings without fear of what might happen to their remains when they join their ancestors.

    Until the new law came into existence, deceased monarchs, especially in Ijebuland, were buried by traditionalists.

    Other monarchs who welcomed the Emir were the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba AbdulRazaq Adenugba and the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo, Oba Lawrence Ogunbanjo.

  • BREAKING: Tinubu confers GCON national honour on Awujale

    BREAKING: Tinubu confers GCON national honour on Awujale

    President Bola Tinubu has conferred the second highest national honour of Grand Commander of Order of Nigeria (GCON) on the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, for his immeasurable and invaluable contributions to national development.

    Tinubu gave the honour at the 90th birthday ceremony of the paramount ruler held at the Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun state.

    The president was represented by his Vice, Alhaji Kashim Shettima on Friday at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, for a book presentation on “Reinventing Governance in Nigeria”, as part of activities marking his 64th coronation as a Paramount ruler and 90th birthday.

    Read Also: Tinubu, Buhari celebrate Awujale at 90

    The President described Awujale as an extraordinary royal father and hero of Nigeria’s democracy who is adored all over the country for his sincerity of purpose and courage in the face of any adversity threatening national development.

    The ceremony also featured the inauguration of Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

    The President also announced that the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos has been directed to take over the management of Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance which the royal father bequeathed to the university.

    Details shortly…

  • Awujale names Oladunjoye Onigegewura of Ijebuland

    Awujale names Oladunjoye Onigegewura of Ijebuland

    The Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Dr. Sikiru Adetona, has named the Senior Consultant on Media to Ogun Governor, Tunde Oladunjoye, as  Onigegewura (One with the golden pen) of Ijebuland.

    Notifying Oladunjoye  in a letter dated  May 2 personally signed by the 90-year-old monarch, the highly revered first-class traditional ruler said: “By Ijebu ancient tradition and custom, and the prerogative of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, we honour our sons and daughters who have distinguished themselves within our cherished society in character, in their fields of endeavour, and made enormous contributions to the economic and social well-being of our people with chieftaincy titles. In other words, we confer chieftaincy titles to celebrate excellence, distinction and nobility.”

    The letter reads : “For some time now, the palace has been observing with satisfaction and pride your professionalism and willingness to serve without counting the cost. Your industry, patriotism, loyalty, excellence and uncommon contributions to Ijebuland are unassailable and worthy of commendation. As a media practitioner, you have used the instrumentality and power of the media to project the throne of Awujale, and as a weapon against discord and disunity in our society.  You have consequently become a champion of democracy and a thoroughbred Ijebu. For these and many other reasons, it is my pleasure to confer on your good self, the title of Onigegewura of Ijebu  with all the rights, honours, privileges and responsibilities appertaining thereto. Please accept my hearty congratulations.”

    Earlier, in  recognition of his commendable service to Ijebuland, the Awujale had in 2016  endorsement personally written the following words on the 2016 brochure of the Ojude Oba, which was produced by Oladunjoye’s company, Tunes Communications,  free of charge, , “Tunde Oladunjoye: With grateful thanks and deep appreciation for your contributions towards a very successful hosting of 2016 Ojude-Oba Festival”.

    Oladunjoye is the Publisher of Tunes Magazine, a development focused magazine. He is a member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ). He is also a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), and was at a time, the Auditor of the Lagos Branch of ANA.

    Oladunjoye, a former National Publicity Secretary of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), was the Assistant Publicity Secretary of the Directorate of Strategic Communications of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and was also a member of the publicity committee of the APC presidential primary. He is the  Ogun State Publicity Secretary as well as the current  Coordinator of  South-West Publicity Secretaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Read Also: Tinubu, Buhari celebrate Awujale at 90

    With a bias for arts, social policy, politics, human rights reporting and media advocacy, Oladunjoye, for several years, covered the biggest film festival in the world, the Cannes Film Festival, Cannes, France. He also covered many high ranking  international events like  the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO)  in Burkina Faso, the Nigeria’s Eminent Persons Agricultural Summit hosted in Geneva by President Goodluck Jonathan in  2013 and the World Hunger Summit hosted by the United Kingdom  Prime Minister in 2013. He was media consultant and member of the presidential delegation to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland in 2013.

    He was appointed by the Federal Government into the strategic media communication committee of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) in 2012 and later as Media Adviser to the then Minister for Agriculture, Dr.  Akinwumi Adesina, between 2012 and 2014, before taking up another appointment as national media consultant to the FGN/ World Bank project on FADAMA III Additional Financing between 2016 and 2018.

    A published poet, Oladunjoye edited Activist Poets: An Anthology of Nigerian Pro-Democracy Activists, published in 2002 with the support of the French Government through the French Cultural Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos. He has been a resource person to UNESCO and peer reviewer with the World Bank. Oladunjoye was also was resident journalist with the House of Journalism, Lome, Togo (2001), visiting journalist to Nigeria’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, Paris, France, in 2005 under the leadership of Emeritus Professor Michael Omolewa. He was a UNICEF Scholar to South Africa in 2014 to study Design and Implementation of Social Protection in Africa.

    Oladunjoye served as board member, Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation 2005; member, Governing Council of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) 2016-2017;  chairman, Ogun State Television (OGTV) 2020-2023,  member, Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic, Ukanna, Akwa Ibom State and member Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board 2019-2022. He was named United Nations Youth Ambassador for World Peace in 2008.

     A journalist, activist, author, community leader, poet, publisher and politician, Oladunjoye has been a multiple award winner even right from his days as a student at the foremost journalism training school in Nigeria, the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba-Ikeja, Lagos. The Students Union of both the Ibadan and Ogba campuses of the institute honoured him with awards of Excellence.

    As Council Chairman in Ijebu East Local Government (2007-2010), Ogun State, he was named the Overall Best Chairman in Ogun State for 2008 and 2009 becoming the first and only chairman till date, to win the coveted award back to back. He was later announced as the Best Council Chairman in South West Nigeria, while his score was the highest among others so nominated in the six geopolitical zones.

    In his reaction on being informed of the Awujale’s honour, Oladunjoye remarked: “This is the best! I have called Baba (Awujale)  to thank him. I am most grateful. This is a chieftaincy title that money cannot buy”.

    Oladunjoye has since accepted the honour of Onigegewura of Ijebuland, describing it as a rare privilege.

    His letter of acceptance titled: “Mo dupe dupe” and dated May 4, 2024 reads: “It is with the greatest, heartfelt-appreciation and in all humility, that I wholeheartedly and unreservedly accept the great honour that you have graciously bestowed on me as the ONIGEGEWURA OF IJEBU.

    Alayeluwa, like I told you over the phone, immediately  I got wind of the honour; this is a title that money cannot buy. I feel so happy and extremely honoured and even overwhelmed by your constant show of  uncommon and unconditional love to me over the years. It has been a rare privilege for me.

    “I accept the chieftaincy title of ONIGEGEWURA OF IJEBU without any reservations whatsoever. Kabiyesi, please accept my sincere appreciation on behalf of my family.

    “May the good Lord continue to honour you and your family ceaselessly and boundlessly.

    “Most grateful my father and my King!”

    The installation ceremony will be announced by the palace in due course.

  • Awujale set for April premiere

    Awujale set for April premiere

    Awujale, the highly anticipated Biopic by Seun Olokeutyi of Ultimate Communications, is set for premiere this month.

    This was announced by Oloketuyi, the biopic’s producer, last week Tuesday.

    In the same vein, the trailer for the biopic was released during the week in commemoration of the Awujale of Ijebu Land, Oba Sikiru Adetona’s 64th coronation anniversary.

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    Awujale is a production of usual collaborators, Seun Oloketuyi, who takes on the role of the executive producer, and Tunde Olaoye, who sits as the director of the biopic.

    The biopic features Sola Sobowale, Debo ‘Mr. Macaroni’ Adedayo, Antar Laniyan, Tunji Bamishigbin, Aishat Lawal and Kolade Onanuga.

  • Awujale installs Kuku as Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu-Ode

    Awujale installs Kuku as Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu-Ode

    The Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Adetona, has installed the Olor’ogun and co-founder of Eko Hospital, Dr. Sonny Kuku, as the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu-Ode.

    The installation, held at the weekend at Oba S. K. Adetona Royal Pavilion, opposite Aafin Awujale, made Kuku the third person to be bestowed with the title of Ogbeni Oja.

    His predecessors included the late Chief Timothy Odutola and the late Chief Bayo Kuku.

    The oath of office for the new Ogbeni Oja was administered by a senior lawyer. Chief O. B. Okuboyejo.

    The title of Ogbeni Oja is the highest, next to Awujale that a free born Ijebu male can aspire to hold.

    Oba Adetona said traditional rulers had a right to decide how they should be buried in accordance with their religion and the new law in Ogun State.

    He said except this is done, it will be difficult for the people to get good and quality people to aspire to be king in Ogun State and other parts of Yoruba land.

    The monarch recalled that he started struggle for the right of Obas as a minister during Western Region administration.

    He said he persisted when Ogun State was carved out of former Western State under the administrations of Chief Segun Osoba, Chief Gbenga Daniel, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and finally he got the law promulgated under the current governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun’s administration.

    “Now the totality of traditional rulers in the old Western Region want to follow in the same direction,” Oba Adetona said, adding: “The institution of obaship is not for traditionalists alone, but also for all religions. I’m glad things are changing in Yorubaland.”

    “There is need to accord traditional rulers their rightful place in the scheme of things,” he said.

    Awujale explained that Olor’Ogun Kuku did not lobby to be installed as the Ogbeni Oja.

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    He said: “In my own wisdom, I appointed him because I know he merited it. He is suitable for the office, he’s very loyal.”

    Oba Adetona paid glowing tributes to the late Olori Omoba Akile Ijebu, Otunba Subomi Balogun, saying if he was alive, Dr. Kuku would have been his choice for the position of Ogbeni Oja.

    He called for support and prayers for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed in office.

    Governor Abiodun said the installation of Dr. Kuku was a call to service to uplift the people of Ijebu-Ode.

    The governor, represented by his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, an engineer; described the new Ogbeni Oja as an exemplar of leadership, who would bring his knowledge to bear to uplift the people of Ijebuland.

    Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    Other dignitaries at the event included the Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, Oba (Dr.) Adedapo Tejuosho, Akarigbo of Sagamu and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Ajayi, the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba (Dr.) Kehinde Olugbenle, traditional rulers of Lagos, who represented the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye, Oba Abdulrazal Adesina Adenugba, among others.

    The Baagbimo of Ijebuland, Chief Fassy Yusuf, prayed to God for peace and sanctification of the event.

  • ‘I saw a bit of myself playing a younger Awujale,’ says Mr Macaroni

    ‘I saw a bit of myself playing a younger Awujale,’ says Mr Macaroni

    Adebowale ‘Mr. Macaroni’ Adedayo, has opened up on his role as the protagonist of a yet to be released biopic of one of Nigeria’s most influential monarchs, Awujale of Ijebu, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

    In a recent chat, Mr Macaroni, who plays a totally different role from what many of his fans and audience have known him for said he sees a bit of the Awujale’s personality in himself.

    “While doing my research and talking to the director about his person, especially that age, the director was telling me that there is a bit of his personality in me because Awujale is very tough, he is strict and highly principled,” he said.

    On pulling the role through, the actor and skitmaker said, “I am not worried, instead, I am honoured to be playing it. While I am humbled by that fact, I am also very careful about making sure that I represent his younger version definitely –  not exactly how he was, but in a way that glorifies that time of his life. So, I am not worried, I think I am just humbled by the fact that I was considered good enough to be picked.

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    “I  think it is just a further push from myself. Playing that role helped me see the things he stood for and the decisions he took. Even when it was only him making decisions, I kept thinking “Yes, I want to be this man. He had a lot of reasons to back down. At a point, they kept going back and forth on something, he told them that if he would accept this thing again, He would do things his way. He said that you are not going to rubbish the traditional institution that our forefathers have tried to protect  and that we are trying to protect and they said okay. And till today, he is still being celebrated. Everyone is still talking about him and from all the people that I spoke to, when you mention Awujale, the first thing they will tell you is he is a principled man.”

    On his take away from the biopic, the 30-year-old actor said: “So, my take away will be; that thing that you are doing that people think you are stubborn, so far you believe, don’t live in delusion. If you yourself know that what you are doing doesn’t make sense, you need to stop. But if you are personally convinced that what you are doing is right, you should just continue what you are doing.”

    The biopic on Awujale of Ijebu is a production of usual collaborators, Seun Oloketuyi, who takes on the role of the executive producer, and Tunde Olaoye, who sits as the director.

  • Local Governments under criticism as Awujale marks 85th birthday

    The Local Government structure in Nigeria came under heavy criticism as speakers called for its dismantling at the 3rd annual lecture of the Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona Professorial Chair in Governance.

    At the lecture titled ‘Grassroots governance: the soft underbelly of Nigeria’s political architecture’ to commemorate Awujale’s birthday, which held at the Adeola Odutola Hall, Ijebu Ode at the weekend various speakers asserted that Local Governments have failed woefully in doing the work for which they were created, which is helping to alleviate poverty at the grassroots through social development.

    “Rather than doing that”, regretted Professor Ayo Olukotun, Head Department of Political Science Olabisi Onabanjo  University and current occupier of the Oba Adetona Professorial Chair, “the local government is serving as money conduit pipe for the officers and the political fathers that installed them”.

    Professor Kingsley Moghalu, former Presidential candidate also called for the total dismantling of LG. He said that the real issue of failure in the country is the question of the long delayed restructuring of the 1999 constitution. “Without restructuring Nigeria, we can never get the LGs right.

    Also speaking, Professor Remi Sonaiya, the only female presidential candidate in the last election, one of the discussants, while also agreeing that the LG structures in Nigeria should be dismantled stressed on the need for awareness creation in the LGs. “We must educate our people of their civic responsibilities. They should demand accountability and better services from those that rule them.

    Speaking at the event, the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun who was represented by his Deputy, Chief Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga stated that the annual lecture is a legacy that should be sustained over time. “This is arguably one of the most generous initiatives in the country so far, it should be cherished and key stakeholders need to join in to give their supports so we can ensure this stays forever in our country”.

    Responding, Oba Adetona thanked guests for honouring him, revealing that he is optimistic that Nigeria would benefit from the initiative and enjoined other well-meaning people to lend their support to a good cause.

    Oba Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland regretted that LGs were not what they used to be and what they were created  for. “They positively impacted lives before but now, the revise is the case”.

     

  • Amosun doesn’t like Ijebu, says Awujale

    The paramount ruler of Ijebuland and the Awujale of Ijebu-Ode, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, has said that Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, doesn’t like Ijebu people.

    The monarch said although “Amosun is my friend and very close to me, he doesn’t like my people. If you like me and you hate my subjects, it means you don’t like me as well,” said the monarch, drawing ovation from the audience.

    The first class traditional ruler bared his mind on Amosun at the third annual professorial chair lecture, held in Ijebu-Ode, yesterday. There, Adetona donated the professorial chair in governance to the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago -Iwoye,  Ogun State.

    The theme of this year’s lecture is: “Grassroot Governance: The soft underbelly of Nigeria’s Political Architecture.”

    Amosun was absent but was represented by his deputy, Yetunde Onanuga. The dignitaries present included the Ogun State governor-elect, Dapo Abiodun, former Governors Olusegun Osoba and Gbenga Daniel, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, among others.

    The lecture was part of the activities lined up for the 85th birthday celebration of Oba Adetona.

    He thanked Osoba for his persistent efforts towards uniting the Ijebu and the Egba, seeking the support of the latter in the administration of the state.

    The lecturer, Professor Ayo Olukotun, observed that local governments have failed in their responsibilities to the people .

    Olukotun, who is also the occupant of Oba Adetona professorial chair said our local governments don’t perform. “What are the output of our local governments. In other climes, local governments build houses,  roads and other infrastructure that impact positively on the standard of living of the people.

    “We have serious governance deficit in this country and unfortunately our politicians are not talking about them rather they are jostling for 2023.

    “The way the local governments were created made it possible for people who lack respect of the indigenes to emerge as leaders .”

    Olukotun said local governments are as good as dead. According to him, the errand boys of political godfathers are in charge of local governments, adding that many of them don’t live in the council area. What we have are absentee chairmen and councillors, he stated.

    To bridge the gap of under development at the grassroots, the lecturer called for a new local government system. We need to review the constitution and we should build government around the people.

    A former presidential candidate, Prof Kingsley Moghalu said the local government should be scrapped. He suggested that there should be two-tier of governments: federal and state.

    Another discussant, Prof Remi Sonaiya, observed that the concentration of powers at the centre is the major problem of governance in this country.

    Sonaiya called for creation of awareness at the grassroots and the education of people on their civic responsibilities. According to her, the electorate should start demanding accountability from elected leaders.

  • Osinbajo holds private meeting with Awujale

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has held a meeting with the Awujale of Ijebu land in Ogun State, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba II.

    They met at the home of the Ijebu paramount ruler in GRA, Ijebu-Ode.

    Hordes of reporters, who had laid siege to the entrance of Oba Adetona’s home ahead of Osinbajo’s arrival, were not allowed inside.

    A senior police officer was overheard instructing his subordinates not to admit reporters into the premises.

    The Vice-President, who arrived in a military chopper, marked NAF 541, around 3.35 p.m, was received at the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium in Ijebu-Ode by the immediate past Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru; his counterpart in Finance, Lekan Bello; and Police Commissioner Ahmed Iliyasu, among others.

  • Adenuga hails Awujale at 84

    •Glo chairman backs professorial chair on good governance

    The Chairman of Globacom Limited, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr., has congratulated the paramount ruler of the Ijebu, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, on his 84th birthday and second annual Professorial Chair of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU).

    The businessman also announced a donation of N20 million to the Chair on Good Governance for the expansion of frontiers of knowledge and generation of ideas for Nigeria’s development.

    Adenuga, who sent a goodwill message to the professorial lecture at the Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, read on his behalf by Mr. Folu Aderibigbe of Globacom, described Oba Adetona as a fearless and incorruptible patriot.

    He said the eminent monarch “always speaks truth to power and works tirelessly” for the enthronement of good governance in the country.

    Adenuga said: “Anybody who knows our royal father well would not be surprised that he endowed a professorial chair for good governance. Since infancy, our royal father has been deeply involved in the promotion of good governance in the country. In the over five decades the Awujale has been on the throne, Ijebu has witnessed phenomenal giant strides in all sectors of the economy.”

    The Globacom chairman described the monarch as his “very dear first cousin and family head”.

    He wished Oba Adetona more fruitful years in the service of Ijebu and Nigeria.

    According to him, Oba Sikiru Adetona Professorial Chair lecture is living up to its ideal of generating ideas for the enthronement of good governance and the building of an egalitarian society where no man will be oppressed.

    Adenuga noted that the holder of the professorial chair and lecturer, Prof Ayo Olukotun, is a perfect choice because of his pedigree as a prolific public commentator and for being an erudite scholar of repute.

    The Globacom chairman said the topic for the lecture: Civil Society and Governance in Nigeria’s evolving democracy 1992-2018, was germane.

    During the lecture, Olukotun disagreed with the view that civil society is dead, noting that it is rather in a state of stupor and required re-awakening.

    He urged the society “to find ways of transcending the familiar divisiveness and centrifugal conflicts that bedevil the Nigerian polity”.