Alayeluwa, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, etched his name in the history books many moons ago when he became the youngest man to ascend the Awujale throne. At barely 26 years old, the London-based young man was summoned to return home after his father, Omo-oba Rufai Adetona Adeleke, who was the heir to the throne, yielded his right to his son, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona. Sixty-four years after he was installed, the Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, has transformed the ancient Ijebu Kingdom into one of Nigeria’s vibrant kingdoms. Phenomenal is the closest word to describe what Oba Adetona has accomplished during his remarkable reign as the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland. The highly revered monarch, who celebrated his 90th birthday and 64th anniversary of his reign as the number one traditional figure in Ijebuland, has carved an enviable niche for himself as one of Nigeria’s most respected monarchs. Under his reign, the entire Ijebuland has witnessed a huge transformation in terms of economic development, promotion of Ijebu cultural offerings, and advancement of hundreds of communities in Ijebuland.
Oba Adetona, who is arguably the most revered monarch in Nigeria at the moment, has earned his place in the annals of the Nigerian traditional rulers history books. The Awujale, who was recently honoured by President Bola Tinubu with Nigeria’s second highest honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, is no stranger to success. Shortly after he was installed as Awujale, he became a member of the Western Nigeria House of Chiefs. Not only that, he proceeded to become a member of the Western Nigeria Executive Council. Since then, he has remained a force to be reckoned with in the Nigerian monarchy system. Apart from being the architect of the modern Ijebu kingdom, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona has also been at the forefront of political activism in Nigeria. What comes to mind easily was his involvement in the actualization of the June 12, 1993 mandate won by the late MKO Abiola. Oba Adetona is one of the few top Yoruba monarchs who dared the military regime and joined forces with the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, to reinstate the presidential mandate of Chief MKO Abiola. That’s what the Awujale brand is known for—courage, justice, and fairness. Oba Adetona has a reputation for integrity. And that’s why he’s respected by both the political leaders and his subjects.
On the homefront, Oba Adetona has covered himself in glory. Apart from his Ijebu-Ode domain, he has brought peace and unity to all the communities under his leadership. The success story of the now popular Oju Ode festival would be incomplete without acknowledging Awujale Adetona’s contributions to the growth of the iconic festival. For instance, he introduced novel ways of promoting cultural heritage, like the “Regberegbe” age-grade thing, and that changed the face of iconic festivals. At every Eid-El-Kabir festival, Ijebu-Ode has become the favourite destination for both indigenous and non-indigenous people. Thanks to Oba Adetona’s influence, the Oju-Ode festival has evolved into a global festival, attracting visitors from all walks of life into the ancient Ijebu Kingdom. Besides the pomp and pageantry, the Ojude Oba festival has become a great platform for business activities for residents of Ijebu-Ode and its environs. It is a potential tourism goldmine for Ogun State in terms of revenue generation. The Awujale, Oba Adetona, has put Ijebuland on the world map. He has built confidence through his purposeful leadership. And that has encouraged many prominent sons and daughters of Ijebuland to return home and join Awujale in developing their beloved ancestral home. It has not been an easy journey to Eldorado for the monarch, too. He has had his own fair share of turbulence. According to the monarch in one of his interviews, the highest testimony of his reign was when he survived a politically motivated plot to depose him in 1981. Recognised for his remarkable leadership, Oba Adetona is a recipient of many awards, including the honorary degree of Doctor of Law from the Federal University of Technology, now known as Modibbo Adam University of Technology, Yola. In addition, he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law at Olabisi Onabanjo University. Awujale has brought peace to his entire kingdom; he has done a lot to put his kingdom on the path of progress and prosperity. Alayeluwa, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Awujale of Ijebuland, has done well for himself and the image of his kingdom.