As expected, Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State stood still for the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, during the grand finale of his 80 birthday celebration, last Saturday. ERNEST NWOKOLO was at the Dipo Dina International Stadium where the ceremony took place.
For a week, Ijebuland was agog. The community was a beehive of activites with an air of festivity. It was celebrating the Awujale and its Paramout Ruler, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who clocked 80.
The week-long colourful birthday bash was rounded-off with a grand luncheon/ party at the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, last Saturday.
Expectedly, the carnival-like ceremony witnessed a crowd of prominent Nigerians and expatriates, which cut across religions, politics, tribes and continents. They came to felicitate with the Oba.
Following expectations that President Goodluck Jonathan would be attending the event, there was a heavy presence of security operatives – the Army, Police, State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSDC) and members of the Vigilante Service of Ogun State (VSO). So, security was tight in Ijebu-Ode and its evirons.
The stadium was cordoned off by the security operatives. Unwanted guests could not come within 500 metres radius of the venue. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Ogun State’s traffic agency – TRACE – and private guards ensured strict compliance. Guests were thoroughly screened before they were allowed into the venue of the luncheon.
Prior to Oba Adetona’s 80th birthday celebration, a world press conference was organised by a group of professionals under the aegis of the Ijebu Renaissance Group (IRG).
The six-day event began on Sunday, May 4, with a special thanksgiving service at the Cathedral Church Saviour, Italowajoda-Ijasi, Ijebu-Ode, according to the spokesman of the group, Chief Adetokunboh Fassy Yussuf, who was the deputy chairman of the Publicity sub-committee of the planning committee for the birthday celebration.
On Tuesday, May 6, the celebration shifted to the Adeola Odutola Events Hall, where a colloquium on the Ijebu nation and a coffee-table book on Oba Adetona was presented to the public.
There was a football match the following day at the stadium. It was followed by a grand reception at the Oba S.K. Adetona Golden Jubilee Centre, Ijebu-Ode, where about 50 monarchs in Ijebuland paid homage to the Awujale.
On Friday, a Jum’at service was held at the Ijebu Ode Central Mosque.
Last Saturday, the grand finale featured a luncheon at the marquee inside the stadium.
It began with a prayer by the Chief Imam of Ijebu-Ode, Sheikh Abdur-Razaq Salaudeen.
The luncheon featured the cutting of the birthday cake and a toast before dignitaries took turns to shower encomiums on the celebrator.
President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Oladeinde Arogbofa, extolled Awujale, saying he contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria.
Jonathan described the monarch as a “big masquerade” whose wealth of experience has helped the country in no small measure.
Jonathan said: “I deeply appreciate what you, Kabiyesi, have been doing in Ijebuland, Ogun State and Nigeria. You have contributed immensely to the development of good governance in the country. Our revered father, you should continue to do those things that you have been doing so well.”
Former Military Head of State and All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader General Muhammadu Buhari eulogised Oba Adetona for his forthrightness at all times.
Buhari described him as a lucky monarch who has seen the nation’s trying political processes.
Former Lagos State Governor and also APC national leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said Adetona was an “honest and courageous person.”
Describing Oba Adetona as the best traditional ruler in Yorubaland, Tinubu said the Awujale attained such status because of his doggedness and truthfulness.
He said when the military junta targeted the Yoruba, Oba Adetona was among those pencilled down for assassination.
Tinubu said: ” Kabiyesi, you are a good father and monarch. I remember in 1991, 1992 and 1993, during the military junta, when the Yoruba were the target of the then government, they thought they could silence you; they planned to kill you; they planned to remove you through a local government. But they failed. They did it to Sultan of Sokoto then and they succeeded. You stood by us; you stood by the truth and, despite all humiliation, depression and attack, you remained resolute and unshaken.
”One of those days, I will never forget in my life was the day you invited us to your palace for one of our meetings. When we got there and were about to commence our meeting, we were told that the military had surrounded the palace with mighty guns. You told us then that there was no problem, and we should continue our meeting. You said they didn’t know that there are many ways into the palace. After our meeting, you personally opened another door for us and nothing happened to us.”
Tinubu went on:”You are not part of the Obas in Yorubaland, who are sell-outs. We know them, and it is not yet time to mention names. In Yorubaland today, you are the best monarch, and that is not contestable.
“The good Obas in Yorubaland, who are forthright, firm and stand by the truth are not up to five, they are just three. May you live long with good health and abundant God’s blessings.”
Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun described the paramount ruler as a “colossus and a peacemaker.”
Amosun named the first flyover in the town after the royal father.
Amosun said: “We are grateful to God on your behalf for coming thus far. You are a role model and a monarch that respects all offices. My administration would not have achieved all that we have been able to record if not for your advice and fatherly role in ensuring that we did not fail. You are an experienced Oba and we are honouring you today. We mark your 80th birthday with the naming of the first flyover bridge in the town after you.”
The gathering cheered him.
His Bayelsa State counterpart, Seriake Dickson, whose grandmother was an Ijebu princess, praised the monarch for his good works and wished him many peaceful years on the throne. He described Oba Adetona as an exceptional ruler.
Oba Adetona thanked the guests for honouring him. He expressed gratitude to his Creator for making him to join the league of octogenarians, despite his early challenges in life.
Oba Adetona said: “The beginning was a bit rough, but I thank Almighty Allah that today we are rejoicing. I am grateful to Allah for blessing all my activities. I promise that I will continue to stand on the side of truth.”
A cultural dance troupe of women in traditional attire with strands of beads woven around their heads entertained the gathering. The troupe came from Akoko-Ado, Ondo State.
Popular musician-turned evangelist Ebenezer Obey was at his usual best, thrilling guests with old and new tunes.
In attendance were the Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; the Obi of Onitsha, Dr Nnaemeka Achebe; the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; the Alake and Paramount of Egbaland, Oba Michael Gbadebo; the Akarigbo of Remoland Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo; the Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; the Osile of Oke-Ona, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso; the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Salawudeen Oyefusi; Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Yinusa Adekoya; the Olowu of Owu, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu; former governors of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, their Oyo State counterpart Dr Omololu Olunloyo; Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina; President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; First City Monument Bank (FCMB) chairman Otunba Subomi Balogun; and Globacom chairman Chief Mike Adenuga.
Also the Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mallam Adamu Mu’azu; Honeywell Group of Companies chairman Oba Otudeko; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari; Latter Rain Assembly Presiding Pastor, Tunde Bakare, Chief Razaq Okoya; Senator HAB Fasinro; APC Interim National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed; former minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Mr Tunde Lemo; Iyalode of Yorubaland, Iyalode Alaba Lawson; Chairman, Insight Communications, Mr Biodun Shobanjo and others attended the luncheon/party.
Oba Adetona was born into the Anikilaya Ogbagba Royal Family of Ijebu Ode. His father was Prince Rufai Adetona of Imupa area of Ijebu Ode.
The monarch, who is regarded as the longest serving in the country, on April 2 clocked 54 years on the throne.
He mounted the throne when he was a little under 26 years. His journey to the throne began in 1960 when he was recalled from the United Kingdom where he was studying Accountancy.
His nomination as the Awujale of Ijebuland was approved by the government of the defunct Western Region through a letter dated January 4, 1960.
Born on 10 May, 1934, Oba Adetona’s reign has been a monumental success and a pride to the Ijebu people. The monarch personifies the attributes of Ijebu people which include fierce and sturdy independence, candour, objectivity, sincerity, entrepreneurial spirit, reliability and resoluteness.
He has succeeded in raising the status and reckoning of the Ijebu people. He is regarded as one of the country’s greatest monarchs, dead or alive. A philosopher and social scientist, Oba Adetona’s fame and popularity extend beyond the shores of Nigeria.
During the days of the late General Sani Abacha, the Awujale was among the few leaders that stood to be counted on the side of history. He refused to sell out.
